Eric Nuzum wasn’t a vampire aficionado. But he happened to be eating a bowl of Count Chocula cereal while watching a story on CNN about vampires and reading a magazine that included a story about vampires.
“It was like when I bought a Honda CR-V a couple of years ago,” says Nuzum, who is director of programming and acquisitions for NPR. “I didn’t think they were incredibly popular cars. Then I bought one and noticed CR-Vs everywhere. Vampires became the same thing to me.”
The new book that came from these frequent sightings is The Dead Travel Fast: Stalking Vampires From Nosferatu to Count Chocula. It’s a weird look at why vampires continue to be popular, from Bram Stoker’sDracula to Halloween costumes.
Nuzum was chosen to be part of Barnes & Noble’s Discover Great New Writers program. He lives in Rockville but visits Transylvania, Goth clubs, haunted houses, and a Las Vegas topless vampire revue. He even spent time in a coffin to figure out why people are so fascinated with pointy teeth and capes.
“They’re associated with almost all advanced civilizations,” he says. “What makes these monsters sinister or sexy or frightening tells you a lot about the people who made them and the people who read about them.”
Nuzum will be reading from his book at DC’s Wonderland Ballroom on October 2 and at Politics and Prose on Halloween.
This article can be found in the October 2007 issue of Washingtonian Magazine.
A Fascination With the Fanged Crowd
“It was like when I bought a Honda CR-V a couple of years ago,” says Nuzum, who is director of programming and acquisitions for NPR. “I didn’t think they were incredibly popular cars. Then I bought one and noticed CR-Vs everywhere. Vampires became the same thing to me.”
The new book that came from these frequent sightings is The Dead Travel Fast: Stalking Vampires From Nosferatu to Count Chocula. It’s a weird look at why vampires continue to be popular, from Bram Stoker’s Dracula to Halloween costumes.
Nuzum was chosen to be part of Barnes & Noble’s Discover Great New Writers program. He lives in Rockville but visits Transylvania, Goth clubs, haunted houses, and a Las Vegas topless vampire revue. He even spent time in a coffin to figure out why people are so fascinated with pointy teeth and capes.
“They’re associated with almost all advanced civilizations,” he says. “What makes these monsters sinister or sexy or frightening tells you a lot about the people who made them and the people who read about them.”
Nuzum will be reading from his book at DC’s Wonderland Ballroom on October 2 and at Politics and Prose on Halloween.
This article can be found in the October 2007 issue of Washingtonian Magazine.
Editors' Picks
The Man Who Sued His Trolls
Democrats Are Salivating About Beating Barbara Comstock This Fall. It Might Not Be That Easy.
Sean Spicer on Good Reporters, Former Colleagues, and How People Have Been Treating Him in Public
Has the New America Foundation Lost its Way?
Most Popular
Rick and Morty-Themed Bar Shut Down After Threats From Turner Broadcasting
We’re Calling It: A&J Is the Best Dim Sum in the DC Area
Here’s Why Sweetgreen Is Switching to Hexagonal Bowls
Can You Really Use the White House’s Phone Number Instead of a Rewards Card?
You Can’t Bring Your Purse to Audi Field. Unless You Carry It in A Clear Bag.
August 2018: Cheap Eats
Subscribe
Related Posts
There Are Still Six Confederate Memorials Around DC. How’s That Possible?
“Investment Layoff” Is a Masterpiece of Corporate Euphemism
Secret Service: Man Claimed to Be Jesus and Plotted to Kidnap One of the Obamas’ Dogs
The New York Times Thinks Its Readers Should Visit CityCenterDC. We Agree!
More from News
Rick and Morty-Themed Bar Shut Down After Threats From Turner Broadcasting
You Can’t Bring Your Purse to Audi Field. Unless You Carry It in A Clear Bag.
Washingtonian Today: Parade Delayed
Can You Really Use the White House’s Phone Number Instead of a Rewards Card?