Who Was Dracula? (+ iPad Mini Contest)

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Tarcher/Penguin announces the

WHO WAS DRACULA?

Fanfiction Competition

 

 

Tarcher/Penguin announced today the launch of the WHO WAS DRACULA? Fanfiction Competition to celebrate the much-anticipated new book from LA Times bestselling author, Jim Steinmeyer (THE LAST GREATEST MAGICIAN IN THE WORLD, CHARLES FORT).The winner of the competition will be rewarded with a 16GB iPad Mini and a signed copy of the book!

Steinmeyer’s work has been praised by the likes of author Neil Gaiman, who called Steinmeyer’s “combination of enthusiasm and erudition a joy,” to Teller (of Penn and Teller) who said he “writes about events a century ago as vividly as if he had been there.”

In the spirit of bringing new life to classic characters, Tarcher’s WHO WAS DRACULA? fanfiction competition will reward the best adaptation (fitting into the provided guidelines) of Dracula’s creation story with an iPad Mini and a signed hardcover copy of WHO WAS DRACULA? Bram Stoker’s Trail of Blood by Jim Steinmeyer.

There is no fee for entry, though reading the book is encouraged.

 

Guidelines for the WHO WAS DRACULA? Fanfiction Competition

  1. Email a vignette of 800-1000 words to tarcherpublicity@us.penguingroup.com by no later than April 11th.
  2. Title of the vignette must be “WHO WAS DRACULA?”
  3. Story must include at least two (or more) of these five people who appear in WHO WAS DRACULA?: Oscar Wilde, Walt Whitman, Henry Irving, Bram Stoker, or Count Dracula
  4. Story must also incorporate at least two (or more) facts from the WHO WAS DRACULA? fact sheet found here:http://bit.ly/Dracu1a

 

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK

In more than a century of vampires in pop culture, only one lord of the night truly stands out: Dracula. the infamous character—first introduced to the general public in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel of the same name—has grown to such a level of popularity over the years that it has spawned limitless reinventions in books and film.

But where did literature’s undead icon come from? What sources inspired Stoker to craft a monster who would continue to haunt our dreams (and desires) for generations? Historian Jim Steinmeyer explores a question that has long fascinated literary scholars and the general public alike: Was there a real-life inspiration for Stoker’s Count?

Hunting through archives and letters, literary and theatrical history, and the relationships and events that gave shape to Stoker’s life, Steinmeyer reveals the people and stories behind the Transylvanian legend. In doing so, he shows how Stoker drew on material from the careers of literary contemporaries Walt Whitman and Oscar Wilde; reviled personas such as Jack the Ripper and the infamous fifteenth-century prince Vlad Tepes, as well as little-known but significant figures, including Stoker’s onetime boss, British stage star Henry Irving.

Along the way, Steinmeyer depicts Stoker’s life in Dublin and London, his development as a writer, involvement with London’s vibrant theater scene, and creation of one of horror’s greatest masterpieces. Combining historical detective work with literary research, Steinmeyer’s eagle eye provides an enthralling tour through Victorian culture and the extraordinary literary monster it produced.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JIM STEINMEYER is one of today’s most renowned historians of stage magic. He is the author of The Glorious Deception and Hiding the Elephant, a Los Angeles Times bestseller. He is also a leading designer of magic illusion who ahs done work for television, Broadway, and many of the best-known names in modern magic. He lives in Los Angeles and can be found online at www.jimsteinmeyer.com.

 

RULES

Enter for the opportunity to win:

Grand Prize: an iPad Mini (Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $329.00) and an autographed copy of Who Was Dracula? Bram Stoker’s Trail of Blood by Jim Steinmeyer. (ARV: $26.95) Total ARV of Grand Prize: $355.95.

 Second Prize: A copy of Who Was Dracula? Bram Stoker’s Trail of Blood (ARV: $26.95)

 To enter, email tarcherpublicity@us.penguingroup.com a short fanfiction story of 800-1000 words, incorporating two characters from Who Was Dracula? Bram Stoker’s Trail of Blood by Jim Steinmeyer. The title of the fanfiction must be “Who Was Dracula?”

No purchase necessary. 

Open to residents of the fifty United States, and the District of Columbia, age 18 or older.

Contest begins April 4, 2013.  Entries must be received no later than April 24, 2013 11.59:59 PM Eastern Time (ET).

On or about May 1, 2013, two (2) winners will be selected by a qualified panel of judges chosen by Sponsor. Entries will be judged on writing skill and incorporation of two characters from Who Was Dracula? Bram Stoker’s Trail of Blood, with equal weight being given to each criterion. The decisions of the Sponsor with respect to the selection of the winners, and in regard to all matters relating to this Contest, shall be final and binding. Winners will be notified via email and/or telephone. 

Void where prohibited by law.

For full Official Rules, go to http://bit.ly/Dracu1a

About Misty

Your friendly neighborhood narcissist. I'm sarcastic, cynical and a bit cranky. I own a soap box so big that sometimes I have difficulty stepping down off of it, and I'm about 94% certain I have multiple personalities. I don't sleep enough, and I read more than any person should ever consider normal. I have anger management issues, especially when I'm stuck in traffic and I have an unhealthy obsession with my Kindle. I am a vampire lovin', zombie obsessed, book-in-hand, iPod freak. You either love me or hate me. You be the judge.