World Goth Day happened on May 22. World Dracula Day happens on May 26, because Bram Stoker’s Dracula was released on May 26, 1897. With both of those happening within one week, I’ve decided to have a week-long celebration. The Official World Goth Day site defines it as “a day where the goth scene gets to celebrate its own being, and an opportunity to make its presence known to the rest of the world.” I thought this would be a great opportunity to share a special deal on my Gothic-literature and Dracula-inspired novels Dragon’s Fall: Rise of the Scarlet Order Vampires and Vampires of the Scarlet Order. It’s even more appropriate, since the new novel I’m working on is tentatively titled Ordeal of the Scarlet Order and will complete the trilogy!
Founded in 1067, the Scarlet Order is a band of vampire mercenaries led by Desmond, Lord Draco. Before he became a vampire, Draco was in the line of succession for the British throne. After becoming a vampire, he sought redemption and ultimately found the best way he could survive was to help those kings and princes whose causes he believed in. Dragon’s Fall: Rise of the Scarlet Order Vampires chronicles the formation of the Scarlet Order. In Vampires of the Scarlet Order, the United States government has started a program to create super soldiers, so they don’t have to rely on vampires any more. Unfortunately, this means they are tampering with powers far beyond their understanding.
From now through May 28, you can pick up the ebook editions of these novels for just $1.00.
If you prefer printed novels, I still have a great deal. Buy either one of my novels at hadrosaur.com and I’ll toss in the related comic book, “Guinevere and the Stranger” absolutely free. “Guinevere and the Stranger” adapts the chapter that tells the vampire Roquelaure’s origin story into comic book form. What’s more, you can get your novels signed, just fill out the contact form on the site after you place your order and let me know you’d like signed copies.
These make great gifts for the Gothic Literature fan in your life, or keep them and enjoy them for yourself! If you have both novels, but not the comic, here’s where you can find it:
My newsletter subscribers got a jump on this special. If you’d like to subscribe to my newsletter, just visit my website: http://www.davidleesummers.com and find the signup form right at the bottom of the page.
As it turns out, I’m not the only one celebrating Goth Day this week. Tom Hutchison of Big Dog Ink is running a Kickstarter campaign for his second annual Goth Day issue. Big Dog Ink publishes the Critter superhero comic, Legend of Oz: The Wicked West, and the vampire/shapeshifter comic Ursa Minor among others. The Goth Day specials imagine the characters from the Big Dog Ink universe existing in a darker, parallel universe.
The special Goth Day issue is written by Tom Hutchison with art by CB Zane and colors by Gat Melvyn. Each Goth Day special is a one-shot, standalone issue, but Tom has made a pack available through Kickstarter where you can pick up his entire Goth Day series. Last year’s issue introduced the idea of Tom’s darker world, and a number of its inhabitants. In 2022 he expands on that world and introduces new characters and situations…including the Mermaid Princess in the banner ad!
To support Tom’s Kickstarter, visit:
David Lee Summers' Web Journal 
It’s fascinating to me how these things evolve.
Goth likely sprouted from Shakespeare’s dark plays and other sources, then what I think is the first self-proclaimed Gothic story “The Castle of Otranto” came out in 1764. Then in the 19th century, stories of the Victorian Era’s real-life Jack the Ripper were about as gothic as you could get! Still later, in the 20th century, punk rock moved to post punk which moved to gothic rock which created the goth subculture.
If somebody could accurately predict these things, they could be rich!
Thanks for the info on the publications and events!
Thanks for dropping by! Indeed, the Wikipedia page on Gothic Fiction has a whole section on precursors, and also point to Gothic fiction evolving out of Shakespeare and they also mention “The Castle of Otranto.” I thought one of the interesting precursors they mentioned was Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” which I wouldn’t have thought of, but does make some sense.
I never thought about Paradise Lost being a precursor! Interesting. Frankly, I didn’t know some of the pre-20th century connections I mentioned until I recently starting doing research for a project I’m not supposed to talk about publicly yet….