While there are many kinds of vampires — scary, sparkly…fuzzy — they usually share a similar origin story, one that involves being damned by God or infected by a disease or parasite.
But in the vampire novella A Light Of Little Radiance (paperback, Kindle), the bloodsucker at the center was born of a different kind of possession.
In the following email interview, co-authors Keith Anthony Baird and Beverley Lee discusses this scary story, which the latter calls, “… a historical, dark vampire fantasy with horror elements.”
Keith Anthony, Baird Beverley Lee
To begin, what is A Light Of Little Radiance about, and what kind of a world does it take place in?
Keith: The book charts the rise of what is deemed a new form of evil at a time when witch hunts are rife throughout Europe’s Dark Age. A band of roaming vampires falls foul of a legendary witch hunter, and a game of cat and mouse ensues until both sides suffer heavy losses, and the endgame becomes one of brutal revenge. The title is a reference to moonlight, the light by which they must travel in the world of mere mortals.
Who came up with the idea for A Light Of Little Radiance?
Keith: The initial concept was mine. After handing the first section to Beverley, her input in bringing the characters to life really fleshed out that early germ of an idea, and we were able to press on and really develop a story with substance from that point on.
And where did you get the idea for A Light Of Little Radiance?
Keith: One of the first books I ever read (other than school books) was Dracula. I didn’t go in for fairy tales as a child, so in my early teens the Bram Stoker classic was kind of like my first one of those, so to speak.
I was also watching adult-rated horror movies at about age thirteen, but that’s another story.
When I took up writing, it seemed appropriate to pen a vampire-themed piece at some point. When I finally did, I had it in my head that it would be traditional in one sense, but with a twist, hence the cosmic horror element.
I also wanted to write about a strong female lead, as all the old school vampires were male — a well-worn path.
So, why did you decide you wanted to write it both with someone else, and with Beverley in particular?
Keith: I’d written a fair number of works by that point, and a collaboration just felt right at the time. At first, I wasn’t sure what kind of story I’d like to do jointly, so my initial thoughts on who to work with extended to just seeing if anyone was interested. Once I’d solidified the idea of it being a vampire story then Beverley was the obvious choice for me. Thankfully, the idea appealed to her.
Which was my next question: Beverly, what was it about Keith’s idea that not only made you want to write this story with him, but also made you think you were the right person to collaborate on it?
Beverley: I’d worked with Keith before back in 2020, on the charity anthology, Diabolica Britannica, so I already knew he’d see a project through and that our writing principles aligned.
When he came to me with the idea for A Light Of Little Radiance, and mentioned it was a vampire story, it piqued my interest right away. Vampires are my preferred creatures to write about, and the thought of creating a whole vampire troupe, under Keith’s protagonist’s protection, was enticing, albeit a little scary. But the troupe came together seamlessly in my mind, and from then on we never looked back.
Vampire stories are not new, as you both know. What makes A Light Of Little Radiance different? Or more specifically, what makes Selina, the vampire in Radiance different from, say, Dracula, Edward from Twilight, The Count from Sesame Street, and other famous bloodsuckers?
Keith: Ha! “The Count from Sesame Street.” That vamp is a legend for sure. Though Selina doesn’t base everything she does around counting, and teaching children, so that certainly sets her apart from her Sesame Street counterpart.
Count Von Count
As for how she compares with others, the answer lies in the fact we wanted a different kind of origin story for her. Selina is transformed by becoming host to the essence of a cosmic entity. She’s not damned by God or any other kind of creation scenario. In forging that otherworldly identity for her, we had to discuss what powers she’d inherit, and to a certain degree have them in keeping with traditional vampire portrayals whilst playing down some of those accepted traits.
Beverley: As Keith said, the changing of Selina was a very unique creation, and the gathering together of her little family who move through the landscape in the Dark Ages of Europe, pretending to be entertainers, is something I haven’t encountered before. Selina’s affinity with wolves, and the way they feature in the story, is a little different too.
It sounds like A Light Of Little Radiance is a horror story, and a historical one at that, though you also mentioned cosmic horror earlier. How would you each describe it, genre-wise?
Keith: In my head, the story fits very well into the realm of dark fantasy, and I’d be inclined to lean more towards that than a generic horror label.
Beverley: What people deem as horror is very personal. I’d say A Light Of Little Radiance is a historical, dark vampire fantasy with horror elements.
Speaking of it being a horror story, I know scariness is subjective, but how scary did you try to make A Light Of Little Radiance? And why was this the right level of scariness?
Keith: In truth, it was about finding a balance in our styles. My own works tend to be more violent and gory, with atmospheres akin to what’s required. So, for me, Radiance doesn’t factor high on what I deem scary. I think it’s fair to say Beverley’s works are more aligned with this novella than my own.
That said, I remember pressing her on this issue and Beverley stated it was really wasn’t her style to include too much gore, etc. But then, she returned a specific section of the work and I was quite amazed at just how far she’d pushed the boundaries. She’d actually gone much further than I would’ve gone with a particular scene and I was floored by that. However, I did feel it was a bridge too far in terms of what the publisher might be comfortable with, so we agreed on a change.
Beverley: Oh yes, that scene! I’m a very firm believer that the story will tell you what it wants to be and trying to pigeon hole it into something it isn’t comfortable in only stilts the creation process. My work isn’t gore heavy. I prefer to rely on atmosphere and the buildup of dread for the scare factor, and it probably comes under the banner of quiet horror.
That said, there are some scenes in Radiance where brutality and rawness were needed, and the story is all the better for it.
A Light Of Little Radiance is not the first published book for either of you. Are there any writers, or specific stories, that had a big influence on A Light Of Little Radiance but not on anything else you’ve written? Or was it more influenced by non-literary things like movies, TV shows, games, or Muppets?
Keith: When I approach any piece of work, I tend to do my utmost to push away any influences which might have a bearing on the outcome of the piece. I’m sure there’s subliminal stuff that leaks through, but not consciously. I’m acutely aware there’s nothing new under the sun, but even so, I try to write in an artistic vacuum if possible.
Beverley: I’m very much in agreement with Keith here. As a lifelong fan of the Gothic and its motifs I’m sure that had an influence, but there’s nothing I used consciously whilst writing.
Now, given that vampires are hard to kill, and sometimes hibernate for years, books about them are sometimes stand-alone stories and sometimes parts of larger sagas. What is A Light Of Little Radiance? Is it a one-off or the start of a series?
Beverley: The conclusion of A Light Of Little Radiance is open ended but still satisfying. Would we consider a sequel? Possibly. But it was written as a stand-alone with all loose threads neatly tied, apart from one — because with vampires you never say die…
Earlier you said that A Light Of Little Radiance was not influenced by any movies, TV shows, or games. Or Muppets. But do you think Radiance could work as a movie, TV show, or game?
Keith: I think it has the potential to work as a movie or something like a Netflix six-episode series. I just don’t see it as a game, but that’s not to say it wouldn’t work. I simply can’t visualize that to be honest.
As to why I think it’s best for screen: a lot of what transpires throughout the story takes place in the wilds, and the stunning beauty of those settings would be best served by a widescreen adaptation I feel. That would certainly translate better in terms of lending the right atmosphere to settings, such as when Selina is traversing the northern wastes, and when the troupe are being pursued through alpine regions.
Beverley: It definitely lends itself to something like a Netflix adaptation more than a game (that said, I don’t game at all so I might be wrong). Nature plays a big part as a backdrop to the story, and as Keith said, this would create a superb atmosphere, as would the villages and events the troupe pass through / attend. Think Game Of Thrones but with vampires.
And if someone wanted to make a movie or TV show based on A Light Of Little Radiance, who would you want them to cast as Selina and the other main characters?
Keith: There are so many talented actors who could play these characters, so that’s a hard question. To narrow the scope of that, I’ll single out just two: Selina and her protagonist, witch hunter Desider von Brandenburg.
I think she would be portrayed well by Elena Satine [Magic City], and Gary Oldman [The Dark Knight] would bring the right amount of intensity to the role of her protagonist, witch hunter Desider von Brandenburg, albeit the actor is actually older than the character (but I’m sure Hollywood could work its anti-ageing magic).
Beverley: I always find questions like this really hard to answer as choosing actors that look like the characters in my mind is almost impossible. That said, I’d say [Barbie‘s] Margot Robbie for Lillai, [Game Of Thrones‘] Kit Harrington for Merivel (though he’d have to go blond!), Nicholas Hoult [Mad Max: Fury Road] as Doval, Liam Cunningham [Game Of Thrones] as Barsali, Christian Convery [Sweet Tooth] as Morpus, and [A Thousand Tomorrows‘] Aria Goodson as Săraca. They’ll have to hurry up with the filming though, as Christian and Aria don’t have the immortal gene of never aging. Why them? I don’t know, but I’d really like to find out.
Finally, if someone enjoys A Light Of Little Radiance, Keith, what book of Beverley’s would you suggest people read next, and Beverley, same question for you about Keith’s oeuvre?
Keith: That’s really hard to answer, as all of Beverley’s titles are stellar. But I think as we’re focused on collaborations here it’s an opportunity to point folks at her other collaboration with author Nicole Eigener, and their A Conclave Of Crimson series. A delight for vampire lovers the world over.
Beverley: Aw, thanks so much, Keith. Collaborations are definitely my thing just now.
I’d highly recommend Keith’s In The Grimdark Strands Of The Spinneret: A Fairy Tale For Elders. It’s dark and horrifying but with bewitching prose, and is a truly unique spin on a traditional fairy tale. The Brothers Grimm would be applauding.
