Interview with Derek Gunn
Author of Vampire Apocalypse

1.  With so many books on the subject currently on the market, what made you decide to write a novel about vampires?   What made you think you  could bring a fresh approach to this subgenre?

Well, I’ve been reading horror for years and have always loved vampires in particular. There is just something inherently scary about such a powerful creature. I was raised on Richard Matheson and Stephen King, where vampires were vicious creatures and I have never liked the angst-ridden stories that are filling the shelves at the moment. These creatures are, in essence, no longer human. Their bodies have changed to allow them to die and rise again, they feed on us and are far stronger then us. They are more animalistic than human and, as such, have different attitudes. I have tried to bring this vicious creature back to vampire fiction.

But, you’re right, there’s no point in bringing out another vampire book unless there is something new to offer and this is where Vampire Apocalypse really comes into its own. I have set it in the near future where the world is in chaos. A brief, but devastating, war has plunged the world into an energy crisis, the planet itself has rebelled against us and weather patterns have changed dramatically, isolating whole communities and into this mix the vampires come from the shadows and take over. I have introduced a few new elements in the story to try and explain, logically, how this change can happen and that had a large bearing on how the humans can fight back so effectively. I have also introduced thralls in the mix. This is not a new concept but no-one has ever brought them into the storyline as much as I have, at least not that I have ever read.

2.  In one review, Vampire Apocalypse was compared to the movies From Dusk til Dawn and Red Dawn.  Were these films influences on the novel?  What other post-apocalyptic novels or movies influenced you?

I was delighted with that comment actually as it certainly portrays how visual the book is. There are no airs and graces here. I set out to write a book that entertained those who read it. Anyone who is looking for an in depth analysis of the psychology of vampires should look elsewhere. Anyone who enjoys a good story with credible characters that act as close to normal as I could get them to do is in for a treat. I can’t really say that these two movies influenced this story in particular as the bones of this book have been rattling around for a long time before I put pen to paper.

To be honest, I have always been a fan of a good book with a great story rather than movies. Alistair MacLean and Edgar Rice Burroughs may never have won literary awards but they told great stories that kept you reading through sheer plot and tension and it’s this that had influenced me most. I want my readers to pick up my books and be entertained so much they are reluctant to put the book down.

3.  Vampire Apocalypse has been optioned for film.   How did that come about?

Ah, that’s a long story. I have my wife to thank for that. With a small press novel it’s hard to get the word out to people that it exists at all, let alone that it might be any good. With mass market you are on the bookshelves so people can pick it up when they go into a bookshop but not every bookshop stocks small press.

To get the word out we have canvassed many reviewers and horror sites asking anybody who would listen to review the book. I was very, and pleasantly, surprised with how many people reviewed the book and even more pleased that the reviews were all so positive. My wife went even further though and she sent information about the book to any site that listed books, whether they reviewed it or not. One of these sites was seen by one of the writers now attached to the movie and he sent it on to Richard Finney and it snowballed from there.

4.  Given that movie adaptations are notorious for varying from the source material, what elements of your novel do you hope don't get lost in the translation from print to screen?

This is one that I am asked often. There is no doubt that it will be different, in fact I’m looking forward to seeing what new ideas they have injected into it. I do hope, though, that the core of the book is maintained. This is a book about people in a desperate position who believe in each other and are prepared to fight to get back what they had. It is a book about where we are going with our abuse of the planet we live in and it is a book about hope. If they keep these elements I’ll be happy.

5.   If you could hand pick the actors who would star in the adaptation of Vampire Apocalypse, who would they be and why?

To be honest I would prefer unknowns. Look at Heroes and Lost – did anyone know any of the actors before those shows? With unknowns they can become the character without anyone comparing them with what they did before. If it becomes a TV series then this will be even more important. Wouldn’t it be so cool to have actors named in a few years in movie magazines and have Vampire Apocalypse in brackets after their names as the show that launched them?

6.  There are two additional books in the Vampire Apocalypse world that will be released in the future.  What can readers expect from these books?

Ah, these books are bigger and better, even though I say so myself. Vampire Apocalypse was my first ever writing. I hadn’t even written any short stories – I went straight in with a novel. As such there are a number of things I would do differently if I wrote it now. These new books allow me to put in more about each character, who they are and why they act as they do. The first book was light on characterisation – functional would be a good description, but the story can’t progress until we know a bit more and the new books will expand on this.

There’s more action too. If you thought the first book had action wait till you see what’s coming. Everything gets escalated. I have been very careful though not to just have more of the same and I have gone in a few new directions that, I hope, will please those who enjoyed the first. Don’t get too attached to main characters either; I have no problem making grand sacrifices where they are needed. The third book is nearing completion and again I have a few twists and turns I hope no-one will expect.

7.  On your website, you've got three additional novels listed.  Are these slated for release?

I wrote these in between the first Vampire Apocalypse novel and the second one and this allowed me to write a few stories completely unrelated to vampires. There’s a really cool Zombie novel, an historical supernatural story and an ‘End of the world’ story about the gates of Hell opening.

Two are under consideration at the moment so, hopefully I’ll have an announcement soon on those, and the third is still looking for a home.

8.  What are you currently working on?

I am currently finishing the third Vampire Apocalypse novel and then I will start on a new project that my agent has asked me to write. More details as I think of them.

9.  Vampire Apocalypse has gotten positive reviews from a variety of sources.  Which review or comment are you most proud of?

Oh that’s a tough one. How to piss off all the reviewers I don’t mention eh. I think Apex did a review recently that said, "Gunn weaves a terrific tale. Breathtaking well-plotted action, colorful descriptions, well-crafted characters and scenes all drive the story forward to and through its explosive pivot point

I can live with that.

10.  Any parting thoughts?

I, well when I say I what I really mean is my wife, Alice, has just re-designed my website and has set up a new one specifically for the Vampire Apocalypse Universe so if you have a few free minutes please come along and have a look. She gets paid on hits, one kiss per hit, so the more the merrier.