The Bram Stoker Film Festival is under way in Whitby at the Spa Pavilion.

The festival runs from October 14-17 and tickets for individual films are £6.

The Hammer Exhibition (my favourite film company!) and the Vampire Ball will set you back £100.

To find out more, visit Bram Stoker Film festival.

Well,  it seems like there is to be an ‘official’ sequel to Bram Stoker’s mighty novel, ‘Dracula.’

Dacre Stoker, the great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker, has written “Dracula: The Un-Dead.”

Seems like Dacre put together the story from notes and jottings from Bram’s original notes.  However, the sequel has been co-authored by screenwriter Ian Holt.

The book has the blessing of the Stoker Estate and should be out in October 2009.  It seems VERY likely that a screen adaptation will soon follow.

Personally, I’m hesitant about a sequel, but no doubt I’ll buy it (and watch the film!).

What do you think?  Is a sequel long overdue?

Alan

Just a quick reminder to all our readers that Whitby has its very own Bram Stoker International Film Festival.

Here’s part of the festival’s mission statement:

The Bram Stoker International Film Festival established in order to provide more opportunities and exposure for filmmakers, screenwriters, Sci-Fi and games developers working within the horror, science fiction and suspense genres, as well as to draw more attention to WHITBY by means of our annual Film Festival.

It’s great to see that Whitby is attracting such quality events and this can only be a good thing for the town and its inhabitants.

Oh… and the website is entertaining too!

Click here to visit: Bram Stoker International Film Festival

Let me know what you think or if you have any thoughts about Whitby being used for filming, festivals, etc.

Alan

I’ve just read a blog post that asks the following question…

“I’m stuck on the question of narrative format in “Dracula” by Bram Stoker (1898), wondering specifically why the author chose to use the epistulo-diaristic mode as opposed to a straightforward first- or third-person approach. It may be a convention of the period; and I’m reminded somewhat of the framed narrative approach Mary Shelley took in “Frankenstein” (1818).”

Answers anybody?

I’m guessing it’s a convention of the time.

I have to say that I think Dracula wouldn’t be half the success if it hadn’t been written in diary form.

I am a fan of Stoker’s famous novel, but I also don’t think he was that great a writer!

“What!” I hear you ask!

If you don’t believe me, read ‘Dracula’s Guest & Other Stories’ (short stories and an extra chapter from Dracula) and convince me that they are good stories!

Go on, I dare you!

I’m an English graduate and not scared to fight

Read the full blog post that sparked this outpouring here: Everyday Semiotics

Alan

You can read Dracula for free at dailylit.com: Dracula

The neat thing is that it’s available in 187 installments so you don’t need to read it all in one go.

Click here for more information: Dracula

Shameless plug: if you want to have your own copy of ‘Dracula’ and ‘Dracula’s Guest’ (yes, there’s more!), why not make a small donation to the Dracula-in-Whitby website to keep it running, and you’ll be able to download the books for free (end of shameless plug!)

Donate to Dracula in Whitby

It always amazes me that Stoker’s classic novel is still being re-printed in new editions after all these years!

Pocket Books Enriched Classics present the great works of world literature enhanced for the contemporary reader and they’ve got an edition of Dracula to enjoy.

Click here to read all about it: Bram Stoker’s Dracula

If you’d like to download a text version of ‘Dracula’ and ‘Dracula’s Guest’ (what?  Never heard of it!), why not make a small donation to the Dracula in Whitby website to enable us to keep providing useful stuff about the Prince of Darkness and his favourite holiday spot of Whitby!

Click here: http://www.dracula-in-whitby.com/donation.php

Enjoy!