Blood Lines: The Vampire in Literature

An Exploration of How Folkloric Tales of Vampires Seeped Through, Took Root in Gothic Literature, and Continue Pulsing Today
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Blood Lines: The Vampire in Literature

An Exploration of How Folkloric Tales of Vampires Seeped Through, Took Root in Gothic Literature, and Continue Pulsing Today

Famously John William Polidori conceived The Vampyre during a stormy season at Lake Geneva after Lord Byron proposed his guests write a ghost story to combat boredom. This was a pivotal point in vampiric literature, inspiring authors from Sheridan La Fanu (Carmilla) to Bram Stoker (Dracula), and Anne Rice (Interview with the Vampire) to countless modern romantasy writers.

Angelica Barajas is a cultural and ethnic studies scholar, recently graduated with a Master’s Degree in Feminist Studies from San Diego State University. Aside from previous presentations on pop culture vampires, other research interests include masculinity studies, Los Angeles history, and Chicanx art.

Tickets to this talk are offered FREE with admission to .

RARE BOOKS LA UNION STATION CELEBRATES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE

Rare Books LA returns to Los Angeles Union Station on October 3-4, 2026, with a stunning selection of antiquarian books, maps, fine prints, book arts, and more that you can sink your teeth into. This year’s fair is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Anne Rice’s iconic novel Interview with the Vampire. A special 50th anniversary edition of the book published by Alfred A. Knopf has been bundled with a fundraiser ticket to the book fair. All proceeds benefit the Library Foundation of Los Angeles.

With support from AbeBooks, more than 50 exhibitors from London, New York, and everywhere in between will fill the historic Ticket Concourse at LA Union Station with an array of first editions and other historical material. Attendees are encouraged to join our partner Metro and hop onboard Metrolink, Metro Rail, or Amtrak for this transit-friendly book fair.

To get everyone’s blood pumping, Rare Books LA is partnering with the American Red Cross and the Mozaic at Union Station Apartments to host a blood drive on Friday, October 2. Participants at this event will receive free weekend admission to the book fair. More details and registration are available at rarebooksla.com.

A special exhibit of vampire-related books and memorabilia will be on display at the book fair, including The Vampyre, written in 1819 by John William Polidori and a first edition of Interview with the Vampire. Other display highlights include Memnoch Anne, a Chinese-style wedding gown crafted in all black that Anne Rice wore at special appearances. The author’s son, Christopher Rice, along with the author’s dear friend, Eric Shaw Quinn, will headline an afternoon talk about Anne Rice’s influence on their current fiction and those who have followed in her footsteps. For a complete list of speakers and other events, visit rarebooksla.com.

“No matter what genre you’re interested in, there’s something for everyone at a wide range of price points,” said Rare Books LA Director Jodi Tolan. “You won’t want to miss the opportunity to peruse 50 bookstores, all under one roof!”

Also new for 2026, the book fair will open an hour earlier on Sunday. Rare Books LA Union Station takes place at 800 N. Alameda Street and is open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday, October 3, and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday, October 4.

Please visit our website for a list of exhibitors.

For tickets and more information about the book fair, please click here.