Dracula the Un-Dead

Paris Launch of Dracula the Un-Dead

October 14- 20, 2009

The degree of excitement generated in France by Dracula l’Immortel was both evident, and impressive to Ian and me when we landed in Paris. Our French publisher Michel Lafon went all out, producing a wonderful edition of our book, as well as creating a powerful advertising and promotional campaign.

Two weeks prior to our arrival, the publisher had flown eight Paris based journalists to Romania for two days and a night in Bran Castle, Romania’s only restored castle from Vlad Dracula’s era. The journalists had been given the history of Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula, as well as the connections between the novel and the historical Transylvanian leader Prince Vlad Dracula. They even enjoyed a traditional feast in the castle, with stewed bear as the main dish!

Rather than a castle, Michel Lafon provided us rooms in a wonderful boutique style hotel. Ian and I were quite happy with these accommodations during our five days in Paris- — and the more delicate French cuisine.

Ian and I quickly fell into to what is becoming to us a routine of book launches. This meant two days of back-to-back, hour-long interviews with a variety of journalists, with only short breaks in between.  While in Paris, we worked closely with Michel Lafon’s head of publicity, the lovely Sylvie Gauthier, who had been working with us long distance during the past eight months. Sylvie briefed us each morning, explaining the significance of each interview, and advising us the direction questions may go, based on the readership or audience.

Ian and I lapsed into our own normal routine of dividing the relevant answers based on our areas of expertise. The interviewers provided some welcome deviations with specific and different angles they thought their readers would enjoy. It was evident during interviews that the journalists who had taken the Romanian trip had a far greater degree of interest and insight into our story than some others with whom we met.

The Paris highlight was our Friday night presentation and book signing at the Virgin mega store on the Champs-Elysees. A two story billboard depicting the beautifully designed Michel Lafon cover of  Dracula l’Immortel, dominated the front of the four story building. Inside the bookstore’s main hall, thirty television screens and one large Jumbo Tron screen streamed live video of Ian and me, as we answered questions (which were all translated) from the stage to the one hundred or so spectators.

 French journalists take Saturday off, so Ian and I were free to play tourist during the day. We took a bus tour and saw all the sights, even managing the obligatory souvenir shopping before reaching our saturation point. I was delighted I was able to schedule a Saturday dinner engagement with the Irish Ambassador to France, Paul Murray, who recently wrote a biography of Bram Stoker. Paul is assisting me as I represent the Bram Stoker Estate, in preparing an application to the Dublin City Council to gain their approval for a statue of Bram Stoker to be placed in Dublin.

The early part of Sunday turned out to be a much needed rest day, in anticipation of our reward for good behavior. Sylvie was able to arrange through Michel Lafon Publishing,  tickets to Moulin Rouge. All I can saw is WOW, an amazing dance revue, beautiful ladies, great costumes-or lack thereof, and exquisite set designs. Ian and I had a great time, and have resolved to behave better more often!

Our last full day in Paris revolved around more interviews, followed by a wonderful send off dinner, given in our honor at a local Romanian restaurant. The dinner was attended by the Michel Lafon staff and assorted journalists, some of whom of had been on the Bran Castle trip. They appeared quite relieved not to be served bear again.

Ian and I can’t say enough about our French publisher Michel Lafon, head publicist Sylvie Gauthier, their entire staff, and all of their efforts toward promotion of our book. We are so thankful that back in 2008, Elsa Lafon, a beautiful and energetic lady, fell in love with our manuscript at the Frankfurt book fair, and made the commitment to publish

Dracula l’ Immortel for us.

Dacre and I are celebrating and promoting the release of DRACULA THE UN-DEAD in Paris where our publisher is Michel Lafon and the title here is: DRACULA L’IMMORTEL!

Today was a VERY AMAZING DAY! Dacre and I did a book signing at Virgin Atlantic Megastore and saw an at least 4 story billboard of the book there — it had our names on it in lights on Le Champs Elise!!!! WOW! Our sincere thanks to all our fans and supporters — this is your triumph too, since DRACULA THE UN-DEAD was written for all of you! Stay tuned to this “bat channel”– tons pics to come!!!

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 28^th. Alex also adapted Dracula into a staged reading to celebrate the 100^th 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.