I am still using Twitter as the parts fall off of it (including cross-posting, which is why this hasn't been active). But I've claimed mikechenwriter here, Post, and Bluesky just to have. Whoever wins the "social media via short texts" competition, I'll be there.
I am very happy to share VAMPIRE WEEKEND's release day with excellent author pals! @CassRMorris@twitter.com trilogy capper THE BLOODSTAINED SHADE and @Annaleen@twitter.com's epic THE TERRAFORMERS! Happy pub day, book twinsies!
VAMPIRE WEEKEND is a celebration of punk and indie rock, a loving nod to vampire tropes, and an exploration of identity and belonging. Plus my love of dogs.
I honestly can't believe @MargotM7@twitter.com bought this "wholesome punk vampire" pitch but I am, um, eternally grateful. /end
I wanted to write a story that captured all of that -- the emotion of music, my obsession with vampires, and the struggles of being caught between worlds when you're a child of immigrants.
And San Francisco. This is SUCH a SF book, and all the geography is accurate! https://t.co/OHMETC9ACs
Mike Chen - VAMPIRE WEEKEND on 1/31/23 on Twitter
“I wanted to write a story that captured all of that -- the emotion of music, my obsession with vampires, and the struggles of being caught between worlds when you're a child of immigrants.
And San Francisco. This is SUCH a SF book, and all the geography is accurate!”
As a child of Asian immigrants, my parents lacked the communication tools to express emotion. I understand now why music and vampires meant so much to me in my teens. These subcultures gave me a place to be, to process. It about a decade of therapy for me to realize that.
Our friend, who was a college radio DJ at this point, gently explained that for people like us, we feel joy when we listen to sad music. It's a subculture of expression and emotion. I can't enjoy pure frivolous music, it needs real emotion in the lyrics for me. (Snobby, I know)
It really started as a teen, I discovered two things that would shape my life: indie rock and Anne Rice. My best friend is a sunny sports-loving extrovert who has never understood this. He once told a mutual pal /music nerd that he was worried about how much I loved The Smiths.
I didn't expect it to become so personal tho. So personal that i hope my parents don't read it!
I don't talk about it as much on here but music is so critical to who I am. Playing in bands, playing piano as a kid, DJing in my 20s, going to clubs every weekend in my 20s.
But I'd been really wanting to write a book about music. Not just easter egging it like in A BEGINNING AT THE END (where names were all pulled from 90s indie rockers), but an ode to music itself. I took that idea and put it in the vampire idea. In 2 weeks, I had a proposal ready.
In 2020, I noticed that several SFF pals announced vampire projects and I texted @ericsmithrocks@twitter.com with "ARE VAMPIRES BACK? CAN I PITCH YOU A VAMPIRE BOOK?"
He humored me and said yes. And my mind got cranking, even thinking about that old FEVER PITCH-esque idea.
