Arlene Russo Interview- Bite Me
Arlene is one of the first of a growing group of journalists and writers who acknowledged expert on the vampire phenomenon that has recently captured the world’s attention. She has also connected with a number of Dracula experts, filmmakers, historians, actors and other writers who remain involved with retelling and examining the Bram Stoker novel and the iconology that surrounds it.
1.I’ve read that you got the idea for Bite Me in Los Angeles in the summer of 1997 at the centenary celebration for the Stoker novel? How did it all come about?
A visit to the ‘world’s biggest Dracula party’ sparked the idea for Bite me. Over 1000 Drac fans converged on Los Angeles in August 1997 for a convention to celebrate centenary of Bram Stoker’s immortal novel Dracula. Over 4 days I met a host of interesting characters, Hammer Horror legend Countess Dracula Ingrid Pitt & other Hammer stars, also son of Bela Lugosi.
Back in Scotland, I was on a mission: to produce a publication that would unite fans from all around the world. Fans with one thing in common- a love of Dracula!
From an initial plan to produce a small fanzine, I decided I wanted to produce a ‘proper’ mag. One that could sit amongst shelved in stores across the world. So big, glossy, and colourful it had to be. I therefore undertook a self -taught crash course in publishing.
I had to take a crash course in self-publishing and teach myself every aspect of an industry I had no experience of. It was very daunting and had elements of a true nightmare!
2.You started Bite Me alone with no staff. What were the early days like?
Hectic and crazy. Not recommended. Looking back I was trying to do the impossible. No wonder I felt ill all the time!
3.How has the Internet influenced both your magazine and your work with vampires?
You must remember when I launched Bite me back in 1999 there was no internet, well not for me in Scotland! I look back and think how on earth did I manage with snail mail and postal orders! For example, it was difficult to find out what new vampire films were coming out- but now there is google. In fact there is the opposite problem- too much information! Also, I get to meet vampire fans from all over the world thanks to myspace (www.myspace.com/bitememagazine)
and I have to thank the internet for that. And I get to find out about all sorts of exciting events like Vampire Fest – that make me wish I was not stuck in Scotland so much!! I send you my very best wishes for a fantastic and successful fest and hope it runs for many years..
4.Halloween is a huge holiday in the States. How is it celebrated in the UK?
I have noticed in the past two years it is getting to be a bigger festival. Shop windows have more spooky displays and people of all ages talk excitedly about their costumes for Halloween. We are definitely catching up with our US counterparts!
5.Your book Vampire Nation has been very well received in Britain. What was the genesis of it?
Basically, a nagging question after watching so many vampire movies and reading books begged the question ‘do real vampires exist?’. I also grew an interest in the vampire lifestyle when I attended the Vampyre Society meetings in the Scotland. I was interested in the effect vampires have on people, to the extent they change/transform their lives, whether that be attempting to become vampires or simply adapting their costume.
6.Do you consider yourself a vampire and if so, what
type, sanguine or non-sanguine?
I have never considered myself a vampire, nor wanted to be one. I appreciate the vampire genre in books and films and that is as far as I take it personally. Of course, I respect other’s decisions to live their lives their own way. If I wanted to be a vampire I would need to get over my blood phobia first!
7.How do blood rituals figure into the vampires you’ve
interviewed?
Not as important as you would think. There are so many facets to being a vampire or vampire aficionado, and to focus on the blood drinking aspect is always the easiest and most sensational way to go.
8.You dealt with the German case, the Leopard Man. Can you give our readers the details about it?
Ah I am afraid you will need to read my book Vampire Nation to discover more!
9. You identified Robin Hood as a vampire…can you elaborate?
See answer above!
10.Do you read vampire fiction…if so, what writers?
One of the bonuses of being a vampire magazine editor is that I do receive loads of books. The downside of this is that I struggle to read them all, due to the constraints of magazine publishing. I must admit I am spoiled for choice and get to know about all sorts of vampire book treats long before they hit the bookshelves!
11. Have you considered writing your own fiction?
Indeed for the past year I have been writing a childrens’ vampire book series. It has been a hard slog making the move from non fiction to fiction! I am also determined to finish a vampire love story I stated in 1997 at the Los Angeles Dracula convention mentioned above- that is based on a true story. None of this made-up Twilight stuff!! This is the real deal!
12. Where do you see the vampire movement if it can be called that in 10 years?
It will be a lot stronger as there is a lot of new blood thanks to Twilight, True Blood etc, so a whole new generation of vampire fans is emerging..
Who are your favorite writers writing in the Vampire genre.
I could not possibly pick a favourite! At the moment I have been going back to the classics and studying Bram Stoker’s Dracula, in its unabridged version.
