Author Reading: Kathleen Rhodes, Vampire Missionaries, in Conversation with Remy Nakamura
Schedule
Fri, 17 Apr, 2026 at 07:00 pm
UTC-07:00Location
1755 SW Jefferson St., Portland, OR, United States, Oregon 97201 | Portland, OR
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BOLD is thrilled to host a reading with Kathleen Rhodes, author of Vampire Missionaries, in conversation with Remy Nakamura.Kathleen Rhodes will discuss how their former Mormon background inform their fiction, and the cathartic experience she had writing Vampire Missionaries, read from her work, and engage in conversation about the intersection of faith, loyalty, and identity, in her new book. Book signing to follow.
Vampire Missionaries
Two young Mormon missionaries discover they’ve been turned into vampires and must navigate their wavering faith, identity, and new dark powers while being hunted by a sinister figure… their Maker.
It's Shaun of the Dead, meets Heretic, meets Midnight Mass. The script explores faith, identity, and morality in a way that feels natural and character-driven rather than preachy or forced. Both characters have dynamic backstories which fuel their motivations throughout the book. Gabe told his mother about his father’s affairs, which led to his father trying to K*ll him. And Luke’s closeted homosexuality and cold family dynamic explain why he’s skeptical of his religion – but ultimately, despite his reservations, he’s going to be the one that finds a cause worth dying for.
As a former Mormon and current therapist, I have personally experienced and witnessed the conflict between faith and doubt. This emotional and satirical knowledge is reflected in these pages, combined with elements of horror and noir.
Vampire Missionaries is expected to be released in 2026 through Dead Sky Publishing.
Kathleen Rhodes spent their formative years in Gresham, Oregon. Growing up as the third of five siblings, they embarked on a journey of self-discovery leading her to work in the healthcare field. From counselor to Registered Nurse and finally a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, their career has spanned a variety of populations.
Remy Nakamura (he/they) is a queer, mixed-race author, activist and compassionate creativity and productivity consultant in Portland, Oregon. He grew up in Greece, Japan, and the San Francisco Bay Area. He is an avid trail runner and backpacker. One of his favorite things is to eat ripe huckleberries while on the move.
His stories can be found in Escape Pod, Pseudopod, and many anthologies. He is a graduate of the Clarion West Writers Workshop and currently serves as a board member for the Clarion West Foundation. He has an MA in Genre Writing from Edinburgh Napier University.
Arrive at 6:30 p.m. to grab a snack or drink. The event will start at 7:00 p.m.
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Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.
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Where is it happening?
1755 SW Jefferson St., Portland, OR, United States, Oregon 97201Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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