Patrick Wayne Swayze passed away earlier after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. The star of such classics as “The Renegades,” “Red Dawn,” “North and South,” along with many others, will be missed.
Patrick Swayze in Road House
To clear up all the misinformation regarding the movie version of the novel, I must begin by stating that the film rights, contrary to many erroneous stories online, have never been bought. They are still owned by Dacre and I.
Early in the process of developing the novel there was heavy interest from a number of well known filmmakers who wanted to attach themselves to the project in order to secure financing. Dacre and I NEVER signed any option agreements. We opted instead to give certain producers and directors verbal permission to go out and seek a deal.
As we we were continuing to write the novel, we began to have an inkling of how big this project could turn out to be. None of these independent deals that were brought in before the novel was sold lived up to Dacre and my expectations. Therefore we passed on them.
The novel was then sold for the biggest first time author deal in history, Dutton winning the US distribution. With a huge publicity budget and high media and fan buzz, we discovered we were correct in our assumptions. This, to our great luck, was going to be a huge project.
Once the novel editing process at Dutton was complete, the advanced readers copies printed and the amazingly positive early reviews rolling in, Dacre and I were finally ready to send our novel to the studios.
We are now in the process of negotiating with two major studios through a top production company as well as a well known independent production company. The most complicated part of these negotiations is the licensing and merchandising.
That’s it. The whole story. Don’t believe all the rumors and conjecture on line. You heard it here first. Expect some HUGE news on the Dracula The Un-Dead movie within the month. I promise you, there will be blood. ☺
Alexander Galant, the head researcher for Dracula the Un-Dead is presently adapting portions of the book into a staged reading to be held at the Bathurst St Theater Oct 28th. Alex also adapted Dracula into a staged reading to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the release of Bram Stoker’s classic novel. Dacre and Ian will be reading parts alongside professional actors, who are colleagues of Alex’s. Events that evening will include a press conference, a “talk about” for the cast and audience, and a short reception for those in attendance, to mingle with the cast, authors, organizers and press. Details about tickets and a book signing will be available shortly on our website.
Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information, US, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Library Journal Reviews
September 1, 2009
Dracula the Un-Dead
BYLINE: Patricia Altner
SECTION: REVIEWS; Fiction; Pg. 109
LENGTH: 223 words
Stoker, Dacre & Ian Holt. Dracula the Un-Dead. Dutton. Oct. 2009. c.416p. ISBN 978-0-525-95129-2 . $26.95. F
This sequel to Bram Stroker’s Dracula (1897) takes place in 1912, 25 years after the events of the first novel. The survivors of the encounter with Dracula are still haunted by the horror. Mina and Jonathan Harker’s marriage is strained. Their adult son Quincy knows nothing of Dracula, and his parents hope-in vain, as it turns out-to keep him ignorant of past events. Jack Seward barely sustains his sanity with heroin. Arthur Holmwood hides in his manor, while an aged Dr. Van Helsing impatiently awaits the vampire’s return. A demonic force begins insinuating itself into their lives. Death stalks them and those close to them. Meanwhile, Bram Stoker remains a bitter author who has had little success with his fictional version of Dracula. How he knew anything about the events of years ago is one of many mysteries explored here. VERDICT The authors (Stoker is a descendant of Bram, and Holt is a noted Dracula historian) skillfully explore the nature of evil while weaving together several complex plotlines throughout this mesmerizing story. Readers who enjoy dark fantasy with fast-paced action will plow through this book, not wanting to stop. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/09.]-Patricia Altner, BiblioInfo.com, Columbia, MD
http://www.alternative-worlds.com/2009/08/30/dracula-the-un-dead-dacre-stoker-and-ian-holt/
August 30, 2009
Dracula: The Un-Dead-Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt
Filed under: Author: S, Horror, Title: D
Dracula: The Un-Dead
Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt
Dutton,Oct 2009, $26.95
ISBN 9780525951292
Twenty-five years has passed since the horrific events of 1897 ended with Dracula turning into dust; none involved have moved on as each remains haunted by the encounter with the Count. Mina and Jonathon married, but neither obtained closure when the vampire was killed; stressed and estrnaged, they conceal from their son Quincey what happened. Seward survives with heroin while Holmwood became a hermit. Their mentor Van Helsing obsessively lives for the return of Dracula as the vampire’s death was his life’s goal so he has nothing else. Scotland Yard believes Van Helsing was involved in the unsolved Ripper murders.
In 1912, Stoker is frustrated as he struggles to convert his horror thriller Dracula to the London stage. However, although the author knows the full truth, he and the others except perhaps the ever vigilant Van Helsing are unprepared for a gruesome serial killer horrifying London. Scotland yard once again believes a fanatic Van Helsing is deeply connected to the killings, but too old to perform them. Those involved with what happened back then find themsleves and their loved ones under siege as if Van Helsing’s belief the Count will return from the dust has occurred. The survivors of the previous encounter regroup to battle evil again although they are unsure who stalks them.
This is a super vampire thriller that brings forward the stars of Dracula into the Edwardian Era with a where are they now tale. The clever story line is fast-paced while introducing the audience to the survivors of the previous horrific encounter to include Bram Stoker. Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt explore the essence of evil and good through a cast of humans who have used psychological defense mechanisms to barely survive and a vampire who may or may not be Dracula, but has the same attitude re the food chain as well as a thirst for the blood of vengeance. Filled with terrific twists fans of Dracula and those who appreciate a strong historical urban fantasy will relish the THE UN-DEAD.
Harriet Klausner
From: Ian Holt
I’m looking for a few Vampires. Singles, covens, families, houses for a new reality show. I give my word if you contact me and you are interested in this, it will NOT be in anyway to make fun of you or to make you look bad. The show I have been asked to be part of wants me to insure that this will be an honest documentary type of show that will treat the lifestyle with the utmost respect and respect the veil and all cultural rituals. If interested please leave a comment here with your e-mail address and I will contact you with further info.
Thank you.
Vampire Con Panel: Why We Love Vampires
Join fellow vampire fans in this video featuring several well-known vampire authors and experts, including DtU’s very own Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt!
Our first official review is in and WE’RE A HIT!!!
Dracula: The Un-Dead
Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt.Dutton, $26.95
(416p) ISBN 978-0- 525-95129-2
In this sequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracu-
la, his great-grandnephew offers one of
the rowdiest revisionist treatments of the
most influential vampire novel ever
written. In 1912, as Stoker labors to
adapt Dracula for the stage, its “charac-
ters” are dying gruesomely all over Lon-
don. It turns out they are as real as Stok-
er himself, who learned their secret story
on the sly and took creative liberties
when turning it into his popular penny
dreadful. Dracula’s true story involves
the passing of his blood line through
Mina Harker to her son; a malignant Dr.
Van Helsing, who Scotland Yard sus-
pects had a hand in the murders attrib-
uted to Jack the Ripper; and the exploits
of a 16th-century vampire countess,
Dracula’s former lover, who cuts a bloody
swath through London seeking the sur-
vivors of Dracula’s last stand in Transyl-
vania. Energetically paced and packed
with outrageously entertaining action,
this supernatural thriller is a well-need-
ed shot of fresh blood for the Dracula
mythos. (Oct.)
Thanks to all our friends and fans who made Vampire Con such a success. Dacre and I had blast meeting all of you.
The Tour de “Dracula the Un-Dead” 2009
September 25- Oct 3 London and Dublin
October 7 or 8 Press Conference The Wilcox Aiken SC
October 10 Aiken County Library Power Point Presentation 2 or 3 pm
October 13 Radio Interviews & 7-8:30 pm Books a Million launch and signing
October 14-20 Paris signings interviews and presentations
October 21 Philadelphia Rosenbach Museum and Library Dracula Festival lecture and book signing.
October 24 Depart to Canada
25 Ottawa International Writers festival
26 Montreal Power Point and Book signing
27-28 Toronto Staged reading Bathurst St Theater and reception Bill Jameson
October 29 New York Borders in Columbus Circle book signing
October 30 New York MODA event Licensing & merchandising
October Halloween ??
Nov. 8-10 Holland & Belgium: signings interviews and presentations
Nov. 11-15 Milan, Italy: signings interviews and presentations
Nov. 16-20 Madrid, Spain: signings interviews and presentations