Craig Wallwork - THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL TO BEING A VAMPIRE
Summary
Author Craig Clevenger discusses his novel *The Instruction Manual to Being a Vampire*, featuring a nameless protagonist and Herwig Roth, a vampire priest who hunts criminals. They explore the book’s unconventional take on vampire lore, grounded in medical realism rather than Gothic tropes. The conversation covers character development, the use of humor to balance heavy themes, and the narrative necessity of graphic violence.
Topics discussed
Introduction to The Instruction Manual to Being a Vampire
Author admiration and the Miriam Black comparison
Character depth: The nameless protagonist's rough exterior
Personal influences: Anxiety, grief, and isolation
Using humor to depressurize heavy horror themes
Home invasion fears and the movie Eden Lake
The 'Baby on the Beach' scene and audience limits
Handling sexual assault and genital mutilation in horror
The finger necklace: Visualizing the story's promise
Ambiguity and the evolution from serial killer to vampire
The Vampire Priest concept and rooting for the monster
Female rage, empowerment, and justice in the narrative
Feminism, male privilege, and the vasectomy experience
Trans community advocacy and The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In
The 15-year journey and The Velvet anthology
Success, persistence, and the podcasting career
Promoting new voices and avoiding algorithmic echo chambers
Conclusion and upcoming book There's Something in the Fucking Basement
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