Written In Blood: Vampire Tales

Bram Stoker (1847–1912) grew up in Ireland listening to his mother's tales of blood-drinking fairies and vampires rising from their graves. He later managed the Lyceum Theatre in London and worked as a civil servant, newspaper editor, reporter, and theater critic. Dracula, his best-known work, was published in 1897 and is hailed as one of the founding pieces of Gothic literature.

Alice Askew and Claude Askew were British authors renowned for their collaborative works in the early 20th century. They gained recognition for crafting engaging narratives that often blended themes of romance, adventure, and personal growth. Some of their notable titles include Behind Shuttered Windows (1908), Not Proven (1908), A Daughter of Art (1909), and The Rod of Justice (1910). The Sporting Chance follows a determined athlete's journey through competition, highlighting ambition, resilience, and the importance of friendship in sports. It has been noted that she started writing primarily, for her own enjoyment before getting married. Together, she and her husband crafted narratives that resonated with readers, blending their individual styles into compelling stories. Their writing showcases a keen understanding of character development and the complexities of human relationships, often exploring dynamics of competition and ambition. The Askews' work, particularly in novels like ""The Sporting Chance,"" reflects their ability to capture the emotional and physical challenges faced by their characters.

Arthur Conan Doyle was born in 1859. He trained to be a doctor at Edinburgh University and eventually set up a medical practice in Southsea. During the quiet periods between patients, he turned his hand to writing, producing historical novels such as Micah Clarke and adventure yarns including The Lost World, as well as four novels and fifty-six stories involving his most celebrated creations, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. Doyle was knighted in 1902. In later life he devoted much of his time to his belief in Spiritualism, using his writing and celebrity as a means of providing funds to support activities in this field. He died in 1930.

Robert E. Howard (1906-1936) was born and raised in rural Texas, the son of a pioneer physician. He began writing professionally at the age of fifteen and turned out dozens of tales of heroic and supernatural fantasy, featuring many memorable creations - including the character he is best remembered for: Conan of Cimmeria. These stories, mostly published in Weird Tales, won him a huge audience across the world and influenced a whole generation of writers, from Robert Jordan to Raymond E. Feist. Sadly, Howard killed himself in June 1936 when he learned that his beloved mother had fallen into a coma.

Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1835–1915) was a Victorian English author best known for her sensation novels. She was rather prolific, having written more than eighty novels in her lifetime. In 1862, Braddon published Lady Audley’s Secret, a rousing success that earned her a fortune. She also founded Belgravia magazine, which serialized sensation novels, biographies, poems, and essays; and wrote supernatural fiction, such as Gerald: Or, The World, the Flesh and the Devil. Braddon’s works have endured through the years and been adapted into films and television shows.

Brown Wolf Publishing creates literary investigations, interactive casebooks, and reading companions for readers who want to question what a story leaves unsaid. Its books pair public-domain literature with original dossiers, timelines, evidence-based reading routes, and interpretive challenges for independent readers, book clubs, classrooms, and collectors of Gothic fiction.

Warren Lapine is a publisher and editor known for his work in speculative fiction, including the revival and stewardship of influential genre magazines such as Weird Tales and Fantastic Stories. Through DNA Publications, he played a key role in bringing new voices and renewed energy to science fiction, fantasy, and horror.