A DIFFERENT Kind of Vampire Story!
Plus, book review, book news, and an excerpt!
“Not another vampire story!”
This was the kind of reaction I dreaded receiving from readers following the release of my vampire horror novella, Curse of the blood Witch. Thankfully, that hasn’t happened – and maybe because this particular story is different than most.
Most vampire stories have the vampire as the bad guy. The creature with no personality and nothing to do except eat and sleep. That sounds boring! Which is why I decided that, when I write a vampire story, not only would it portray vampires in a different light, but it would also have them doing interesting things during their waking hours.
You know, stuff like swordfighting, going after vampire hunters and traveling.
And, of yeah, some of my vampires would be a lot different than what you normally read about vampires in fiction!
Like many other vampire tales out there, my new vampire horror novella, Curse of the Blood Witch, flips the narrative on everything you would expect to read in vampire fiction.
Told from the point-of-view of Kaya Morgan, a woman who is turned into a vampire, Curse of the Blood Witch takes the centuries-old rumor that Elizabeth Bathory was a vampire and makes it real in a story that is an alternative universe telling of just what would happen had she escaped. Not only this, but what kind of vampire would there be from the bite of a Bathorian vampire? The result is a blood witch: A being that is half-vampire and half-witch.
When I wrote my vampire story, I knew I didn’t want it to be just like all of the other vampire stories out there. No, my vampire story has strong female vampires that kick butt, romance between vamps that transcends gender, and fighting scenes where the vampires skilled with the use of weapons get to show their stuff.
Curse of the Blood Witch is a story of transformation, letting go of the past, embracing the present, finding your inner strength, finding love, and finding family. It’s filled with adventure, excitement, love, passion, friendship and healing.
When I started writing this book in 2011, I had no idea it would turn into the story it ultimately became in 2025. After several revisions and crits, this story of transformation took on some transformation of its own as readers and writers of vampire horror offered valuable tips and suggestions for improving the story. Guided by their wisdom and advice, I was able to turn this story into something which fans of vampire horror are sure to enjoy.
Whether you enjoy reading vampire fiction for a little vamp action or stories of transformation and growth, Curse of the Blood Witch will introduce you to vampires as you have never seen them before. It’s the kind of horror story that will make you want to sink your fangs into, hungry for more!
What’s New This Week
I have two stories in the new anthology, BLINK OF AN EYE: Anthology of Dark Flash Fictions, published by CultureCult Press.
Book Updates
I spent some time this week working on my horror poetry book when I realized something: I was adding poems that didn’t belong there!
In fact, these particular poems fit a different theme. So, of course, I created a new poetry book containing the poems for this theme. And I wrote more!
It took me a while to figure out the title for this new poetry book, then to write the title poem!
So that is another poetry book I am writing!
I am also busy revising my collection of ghost stories to submit to a publisher.
Book Reviews
I recently reviewed the nonfiction book, Lady, Will You Hear Me?: A True Ghost Story by Susan E. Rogers at Dawn Reviews Books.
What’s New at SPARREW?
Check out my interview with self-publisher Nicolette Fuller, which appeared in the February 2025 issue of the SPARREW Newsletter.
Read it here.
This Week’s Book Promo
The following is an excerpt from my new vampire horror novella,
Curse of the Blood Witch
Copyright © 2025 by Dawn Colclasure
“I actually do have a good reason for bringing you here all the way from London.” Logan’s gaze at the man sitting across from him turned serious again. “Kaya isn’t just a vampire; she is also a witch.”
Gallo looked at Logan searchingly, as though he was waiting for his friend to say something else.
“A blood witch,” Logan added.
“A what?” Kaya asked with alarm, looking at Logan. She noted Gallo’s confusion at her outburst.
“A blood witch,” Logan repeated, looking at her. “That’s why you can do that thing with your hands.”
“It’s called magic,” Gallo interrupted. They looked at him. “A witch’s magical power transformed into electrical streams of energy. You can use it to kill, disable, and move a human.”
Kaya’s eyes widened.
“You are a blood witch,” Gallo continued, staring directly at her. “An ancient abomination. You are the combination of a vampire and a witch. The ultimate killer. The one who came before you, the very first blood witch of all, was a Hungarian countess named Elizabeth Bathory.”
Kaya’s eyes widened and Gallo nodded.
“Yes. That Elizabeth Bathory. The Blood Countess. Responsible for the deaths of thousands of young girls. And now there are many blood witches in the world just like her, with her same power.”
Thanks for reading. See you next week.