Stakes may be driven through vampires' hearts, but their stories never die. Dacre Stoker, the great-grand-nephew of "Dracula" author Bram Stoker, will be in Memphis this week with his first novel, "Dracula: the Undead" (Dutton, $26.95).
The new book is a family legacy of sorts, based on Bram Stoker's handwritten notes for characters and plot threads left out of the 1897 classic of Gothic literature. "The Un-Dead" is the first Dracula story to be authorized by the Stoker family since the 1931 film starring Bela Lugosi.
It begins in 1912, 25 years after Dracula "crumbled into dust," and characters include Van Helsing's protégé, Dr. Jack Seward, now a morphine addict, and Quincey Harker, the grown son of Jonathan and Mina. (See review on this page.)
"Dracula: The Un-Dead" was the original name for "Dracula," before a meddling 19th century editor got his hands on it.
Dacre Stoker had a collaborator for the novel in Dracula historian Ian Holt, a screenwriter and member of the Transylvanian Society of Dracula.
Stoker is a Canadian citizen who lives in South Carolina, where he is executive director of the Aiken Land Conservancy.
He'll be at Davis-Kidd Booksellers on Jan. 12 for "a presentation at 6:10 p.m. unlocking some of the mysteries surrounding Bram's possible motivations for writing 'Dracula.'" That talk will be followed by questions and book signing.
The contemporary Stoker is not just distinguished by his ancestors. He also was a member and later coach of the Canadian Men's Modern Pentathlon Olympic Team.
From "Elvis -- My Best Man"
This year marks the 75th anniversary of Elvis' birth -- and the arrival of pal George Klein's reminiscence, ''Elvis, My Best Man.'' The ''Geeker'' will be signing copies Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Davis-Kidd Booksellers.
This year Elvis fans celebrate the 75th anniversary of the singer's birth. On Jan. 13 at 6 p.m., Elvis pal George Klein will be at Davis-Kidd to sign his book, "Elvis, My Best Man," which includes photos from Klein's personal collection that have never been published. (See review on this page.)
Davis-Kidd is at 387 Perkins Ext. Call (901) 683-2032 or visit daviskidd.com.
Reading at the garden
Memphis native Dolen Perkins-Valdez, who now lives in Washington, will sign her novel, "Wench" (Amistad, $24.99) Jan. 10 from 4-6 p.m. at Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road. See an interview with Perkins-Valdez on Page M1 in The Commercial Appeal today.
The reading, book signing and reception are free and open to the public. Call 576-4100.
To submit items to Author! Author!, fax to 529-2787 or e-mail burch@commercialappeal.com.
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