"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.
Vampires in Their Own Words: An Anthology of Vampire Voices
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Book Description
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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.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By Wulfgirl
Format: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.... Read more ›
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.... Read more ›
21 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format: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
--Raven Digitalis
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Though I`m still reading the book, I can certainly affirm that it is quite interesting! I have even discovered that I myself am an "electrical interference vampire" as I benefit from storms and also, without willing to do so, drain watches batteries and also more or less once in each 3 months I`m responsible for blowing electrical bulbs! It Is interesting, isn`t it? Well, I like this book not only because I can see myself in it but also because there we can get acquainted with the many different approaches to vampirism that exist! So, you have a wide scenario , a wide perspective to see the phenomenon.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Ravencadwell
Format:Paperback
I gotta give a huge thumbs up for this book. I have been going nuts reccomending this book to many members of the local Vampire Community as well as the Pagan community, and anyone who is interested in knowing more about Living Vampires.
For the first time the Vampire Community has a book that is written by well respected members of that community, as opposed to an outsider looking in. Some such books have had a rather biased view of the community, either treating it as a freakshow or as some dangerous bunch of nuts. This book doesn't. This is a well written piece, meant to inform and educate. It's not a bunch of 14 year old EMOs or power ranting that "Vampires will rule humanity"
It does pull the veil off some of the more shadowy areas of the culture, putting up the Black Veil and other works to the mainstream (or anyone who picks up the book at a bookstore).
If you are someone in or outside the Vampiric community, don't be quick to overlook this book. This has some great resources for a lot of younger communities (such as where I live) who don't know as much about it. Even if you have been around for a while, it's well worth the read. The differences in points of view alone are worth reading.
Many thanks to Michelle for being able to pull this together in such a fashion.
For the first time the Vampire Community has a book that is written by well respected members of that community, as opposed to an outsider looking in. Some such books have had a rather biased view of the community, either treating it as a freakshow or as some dangerous bunch of nuts. This book doesn't. This is a well written piece, meant to inform and educate. It's not a bunch of 14 year old EMOs or power ranting that "Vampires will rule humanity"
It does pull the veil off some of the more shadowy areas of the culture, putting up the Black Veil and other works to the mainstream (or anyone who picks up the book at a bookstore).
If you are someone in or outside the Vampiric community, don't be quick to overlook this book. This has some great resources for a lot of younger communities (such as where I live) who don't know as much about it. Even if you have been around for a while, it's well worth the read. The differences in points of view alone are worth reading.
Many thanks to Michelle for being able to pull this together in such a fashion.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Essays...
As the title states, this book is a collection of essays from vampires that are meant to, in my eyes, open the world up to a better understanding of who these people are and where... Read more
Published 2 months ago by HyresMorrigan
3.0 out of 5 stars
a good coffee table book
As someone who has always been interested in all things occult, I could not resist picking up a book written by self proclaimed real vampires. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. Joe Newman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pyschology of a Vampire
When I first heard the term psychic vampire I automatically assumed that it was some pesky person who hung around you and annoyed so much that you felt drained just from being... Read more
Published 10 months ago by S. Cranow
5.0 out of 5 stars
Informative
As a vampire, I found this impressively full of useful information. Up until recently I'd been feeding on the homeless and prostitutes, which despite what people say, DOES get... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Tom White
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good
I got this because I wanted to understand Vampires as people not sparkeling twitards. It covers some simple things like psi vs saguine and the black veil.
Published 12 months ago by tarotqueen
5.0 out of 5 stars
enjoyable read..REALLY !!
..still in the process of reading this book..anything by Michelle Belanger is noteworthy and thoroughly documented; well written and insightful!!
Published 21 months ago by gothmummie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting Read
I liked it overall. I was disappointed that it was mainly focused on the Psi aspect and rarely delved into the Sang but it was a nice intro to the culture for someone who isn't... Read more
Published on May 5, 2011 by Michelle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Down to Earth
This book has a great deal of information in a format that is easy to understand and fun to read. If you are Vampire curious I recommend this as a "must read".
Published on May 5, 2009 by T. Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars
For Vampires, Vampyres and everyone inbetween!
I love and cherish this book, it has great true stories of how real vampires are, in life, in socity, and how they look that themseleves. Must buy for anyone looking for the truth!
Published on March 27, 2008 by *Blank*
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Truth about Vampires
*courtesy of Copper-Moon.com*
In Michelle Belanger's latest book, VAMPIRES IN THEIR OWN WORDS, she explores the mysterious and deeply misunderstood vampire community. Read more
In Michelle Belanger's latest book, VAMPIRES IN THEIR OWN WORDS, she explores the mysterious and deeply misunderstood vampire community. Read more
Published on January 13, 2008 by Jaratura G.
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