Books With Bite - Interview With Melanie Nowak

1) Tell us about your book

I write the venomous vampire series ALMOST HUMAN. The series is being written as 4 trilogies – there are currently 8 books published and book 9 will be out early next year!
https://amzn.to/3RiXHIW
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2) Do your vampires have any special abilities?

My vampires wield an addictive narcotic venom in their bite, which territorially marks their victims, and gives them a heightened perception of the vampire who marked them, along with other urges…
The vampire breed wars wiped out most of the elders, and the talent unique to each breed has become lost knowledge. However, claims of telepathy, mind-control, heightened speed and strength, levitation, weather manipulation, the ability to transform into mist, and to take the shape of a bat or a wolf are now impossible to ignore; especially when the vampire blood of all breeds is united in one woman destined to rule them all.   
 
3) Vampires vs werewolves – who would win and why?

This question arises in my 3rd trilogy. In the past, vampires enslaved werewolves with their narcotic venom, but times have changed. Wars between vampires had almost wiped out the undead, and when vampires withered and struggled to survive, werewolves thrived. The vampires are poised to rise again with the emergence of their new queen, but the werewolves would like to hang them with the leashes they once wore. Who will win? I guess you’ll have to read it and see

4) Who is your favorite vampire on TV or in books?

Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles was an early love of mine – it was the first time I saw vampires represented as feeling beings with a perspective I could empathize with, and it was a great inspiration to me. After my first trilogy began to gain some notice, Anne actually approached me on an Amazon chat thread. I was invited to meet her at The Vampire Lestat Masquerade Ball in New Orleans and to do my own book signing there during UnDeadCon. It was a great honor to tell her what her writing has meant to me!
My favorite vampire on TV (although there are a few) has to be Spike, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Not only was he a fun, sexy, vicious vampire, his character arc was amazing. He was played with admirable depth of feeling. I was thrilled to do a book signing right next to James Marsters at NYComicCon (although I might have done more fan-girling than signing, LOL) and spend some time with him behind the curtain during breaks. He was very sweet and supportive!

5) Tell us what is next for you as an author.

I am about half done writing book 9 for my series – with one more trilogy outlined and some spin-offs in mind. I am also currently narrating the entire series for audiobook! It is very exciting, as I have acting experience and have always wanted to bring these characters to life with my own voice. It’s a bit ambitious, but I’d like to have all the current books out on audible by Christmas.

I am the author of the venomous vampire series ALMOST HUMAN, a happily married mom of 2 sons, and I hold a Teaching Degree, and a Master's in Library and Information Science. Originally from Long Island, I now live with my family on a peaceful mountaintop in the forest of upstate New York. I’ve always had a vivid imagination, a fascination for the paranormal and for making up stories. Acting and singing are loves of mine as well. However, upon conceiving the idea for my ALMOST HUMAN series in 2003, I discovered a previously unknown passion for writing! Now I put my over-active imagination to good use, creating characters I love, and I get to play all of the parts!
You can visit my website at: 

WEBSITE