Vampires in Their Own Words: An Anthology of Vampire Voices [Paperback]

Michelle Belanger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2007

"There's no book available on the vampire culture today with the range, depth, and diversity of Belanger's Vampires in Their Own Words."
—Katherine Ramsland, author of Piercing the Darkness and The Science of Vampires

"Belanger gives empathetic access to an emergent new magical-religious community . . . An important sourcebook for both the scholar and inquiring public."
—J. Gordon Melton, Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion, and author of The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead

The code of silence has been broken
For this anthology, vampire Michelle Belanger convinced nearly two dozen real-life vampires to break the code of silence that has kept their fascinating subculture shrouded in secrecy.

Sometimes provocative, sometimes surprisingly down-to-earth, these candid firsthand accounts come from both psi vampires who feed on energy and sanguine vampires who drink actual blood. Their true stories shed light on a variety of topics, including awakening to vampirism, the compulsion to feed and feeding practices, donor ethics and etiquette, and vampire traditions and codes of behavior.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michelle Belanger (Ohio) is a popular author best known for her writings on psychic vampirism and the modern vampire subculture. A self-professed energy vampire, she has appeared on the British documentary American Vampires, Peter Anthony Holder’s Soul Call, Coast to Coast, the X-Zone, as well on the History Channel, WE!, and A&E. She has lectured at colleges across the United States and occasionally tours with her Chicago-based dark metal band URN. More information can be found at www.michellebelanger.com and www.twilightpath.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; First Edition edition (September 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738712205
• ISBN-13: 978-0738712208
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #540,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BRILLIANT anthology of the actual Vampyre community. Priceless., August 13, 2007

By 

Raven Digitalis (Missoula, MT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vampires in Their Own Words: An Anthology of Vampire Voices (Paperback)

The vampyre community has long been secretive and underground. In a noble and respectful manner, notable vampyre Michelle Belanger has now compiled the premiere anthology of the culture. Packed with information that dispels common myths, provides explanations to the most difficult questions, and reminds readers of the importance of ethics, this outstanding tome brings greater awareness and spiritual connection to a long-misunderstood way of being. True vampyres are not parasites, black magicians, or freaks of nature; nor do they base their lifestyles in fantasy role-play. This book makes clear who vampyres truly are, by providing honest, well-researched, and reality-based information. I recommend this anthology not only to vampyres and those who think they may have the gift, but to individuals of all walks of life who wish to understand this very real aspect of spiritual and cultural diversity.

--Raven Digitalis

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Vampires Speak Out, September 16, 2007

By 

Wulfgirl (Sacramento, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vampires in Their Own Words: An Anthology of Vampire Voices (Paperback)

When I first looked at this book and glanced at it's table of contents, I thought many of these essays could probably be found free on the Internet,...if people knew where to look for them. Then I saw three people from House Lost Haven (based in my area) were represented in it, and I decide I had to buy it. I'm so glad I did!

I think it's a fantastic source for anyone who wants to learn more about what real vampires think about real vampirism. This is not the stuff of fiction or role-playing games. The people in here don't come across as weirdos or crazies, either, in my opinion. These are real people, each with their own ideas and views on this controversial, elusive and intriguing subject.

The structure of the book is neat and easily readable, in small bites of a few pages at a time. The definitions given at the end of each essay are helpful for anyone not familiar with the terms used. The short background on each author at the begining of the essay also provides a way for interested readers to find out more about them and read more of what they have to say with a simple Internet search.

One complaint that been raised by some self-professed vampires about Belanger's writings is that she tends to favor the psychic vampire's point of view over that of the sanguine vampire. This anthology, by showing the varried views of vampires of all sorts provides a more balanced perspective.

So far my only complaint is with one comment on the book jacket. "THE CODE OF SILENCE HAS BEEN BROKEN" is just way too melodramatic and not, in my opinion, an accurate portrayal of the current vampire community. For most vampires now, I think it's not so much a code of silence that keeps them silent about this side of their lives as it is simple common sense. The average person doesn't believe in this stuff and doesn't really want to believe in it. If a real vampire were to tell someone they were a vampire, the person they told would probably think they're crazy. This book, then, gives vampires and "normals" a way to share ideas on this strange and fascinating subject in a way that feels safer for everyone.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real vampires., May 27, 2008

By 

Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vampires in Their Own Words: An Anthology of Vampire Voices (Paperback)

This is not about folklore vampires, fictional vampires, or Hollywood vamps. This is about people who believe they are vampires, absorb energy, and live a vampire life. This book gets into vampire ethics, how to feed, how to join a House, how to go on your own, what it means to be a vampire, donors, etiquettes, traditions, and all the other tiny details that you may wish to know about vampires. The chapters are written by different people and each chapter gives you a rainbow of views, so you can decide on your own about what a vampire is, why they need to fed and how they should live.
If you don't believe in vampires, blood drinkers or energy feeders, don't even bother to pick up the book. You need an open mind or a really need to understand what the authors are saying. This is a serious book, so if you are looking to laugh at them or make fun of their views or you think this is part of a role playing game, I suggest you look elsewhere.