If you're interested in the Vampirism & Energy Work Research Study (VEWRS/AVEWRS), sanguinarian and/or psychic vampirism, or the vampire community in general you will want to purchase a copy of this book.  There hasn't been anything quite like this published before... a very different kind of text/approach than that of Ramsland, Guiley, Guinn, and others.

The academic and sociological significance of this work can't be underscored enough.  Laycock offers a sweeping scholarly examination of the vampire community and the process of self-identification as a vampire.  He counters many of the negative stereotypes of the vampire community and posits thought-provoking arguments regarding ontological diversity.  I strongly encourage everyone to obtain a copy of this book and link to it as a resource for vampirism and the vampire community.

Religion Dispatches Article:  http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/rdbook/1438/modern_vampires%3A_your_neighbors_and_spouses/?page=1

Vampires Today:  The Truth About Modern Vampirism
Joseph Laycock

Chapter 1:  What Is a Vampire? or, The Varieties of Vampiric Experience
Chapter 2:  Why Vampires?
Chapter 3:  The Vampire Milieu
Chapter 4:  Initiatory Vampire Groups:  Vampirism as Apotheosis
Chapter 5:  The Vampire Community
Chapter 6:  Vampirism and Religion, a Dialogue
Chapter 7:  Out of the Shadows
Chapter 8:  Vampires and the Modern
Bibliography & Index

Names You May Recognize (Mentioned and/or Contributed Material):

Atlanta Vampire Alliance, Corvis Nocturnum, Daemonox, D'Drennan, Don Henrie, Dozens of Groups/Houses/etc. (House Dark Haven, House Eclipse, House Kheperu, House of the Dreaming, House Pantheon, House Quinotaur, House Sahjaza, Temple of the Vampire, Order of the Vampyre, Ordo Strigoi Vii, etc.), Eclecta, Father Sebastiaan, Father Vincent, Goddess Rosemary, J. Gordon Melton, Kiera, Lady CG, Lady Dark Rose, Lord Alistair, Madame X, Maloryn, Martin Riccardo, Merticus, Michelle Belanger, Nicholas, Sanguinarius, Sarah Dorrance, Shadowlore, SoulSplat, SphynxCatVP, Stephen O'Mallie, Vlad & Sky, Voices of the Vampire Community, Vyrdolak, & Zilchy

Inside Cover: 

Vampires are not just the stuff of folklore and fiction. This book explores the modern world of vampirism in all its variety.

Around the globe, untold numbers of people are identifying as "vampires" and following the ways of "vampirism."  But what does it mean to be a vampire?  Is vampirism a religion? Is it a fantasy? Is it a medical condition?  Based upon extensive interviews with members of the Atlanta Vampire Alliance and others within vampire communities throughout the United States, Vampires Today looks at the many expressions of vampirism.

In the past two decades, modern vampirism has come under increased study, yet most scholarship has portrayed the vampire community as a cultural phenomenon or, at worst, as a religious cult. Having interviewed many vampires across the country, both "lifestylers" and "real," even those "reluctants" who try not to be vampires, Laycock argues that today's vampires are best understood as an identity group and that vampirism has caused a profound change in how individuals choose to define themselves. As vampires come "out of the closet," either as followers of a "religion" or "lifestyle" or as people biologically distinct from other humans, their confrontation with mainstream society will raise questions about the definition of "normal" and what it means to be human.

In this book, readers will meet "lifestyle vampires," who adopt a culture and a gothic ascetic associated with the vampires of art and legend.  They will be introduced to "real" vampires, who feel that they must actually consume blood and/or psychic energy for their well being.  They will hear from members of the Atlanta Vampire Alliance, and they will learn about the Order of the Vampyre, the Ordo Strigoi Vii, and the Temple of the Vampire.

There is no doubt that anyone who reads this book will find the details of real vampire life--including vampire role-playing games, grimoires, "vampyre" balls, vampire houses like House Sahjaza and House Kheperu, the vampire "caste" system, and other details--utterly fascinating.

The long-term importance of the VEWRS & AVEWRS surveys can't be stressed enough and this will come into focus on a larger scale in May of 2009 with the publication of an academic book involving some of the information gathered thus far. This independent publication in May ‘09 necessitates that we stop accepting surveys and move full time into analysis and writing if we ever hope to finish this decade (over 130 additional surveys have been e-mailed to us after the initial Oct. ’07 deadline bring the response total to over 750+).  If you have not already completed these surveys (preferably both parts) PLEASE take an hour or so tonight or this weekend/over the holidays to sit down and complete at least the VEWRS (Part 1 - Survey). PLEASE encourage others you know to complete these surveys as well - we rely on your assistance to reach as many individuals online and offline as possible.
 
http://www.suscitatio.com

THESE SURVEYS ARE APPLICABLE IN PART TO THE THERIAN & OTHERKIN COMMUNITY - YOUR PARTICIPATION IS VALUED & IMPORTANT!  Nearly 200 Otherkin & Therians have already participated in this study and a year later we are extending the offer to participation one last time before initial publication of aspects of this study.  We intend to share the data with these groups so that both may benefit by having a clearer understanding of the demographics, experiences, and beliefs held by our different but often interlinked groups.  If there are questions located on the VEWRS (Part 1) & AVEWRS (Part 2) survey that are not applicable to you, simply answer "Not Applicable", leave blank, or where appropriate if a substitution of "vampire" or "energy worker" for "therian" or "otherkin" is applicable to you please feel free to answer and your response will be treated under the category you identify yourself as outlined on question #172 and #285 (Other - Write In) of the VEWRS and #383/384 and #982 of the AVEWRS.  The data will be divided into the follow classification based on your own self-identity.  Please encourage others from the Otherkin & Therian community to participate ASAP in this study!

V:ampire; V - VE - VO - VT - VEO - VET - VOT - VEOT
E:nergy Worker; E - EO - ET - EOT
O:therkin; O - OT
T:herian; T
 
How To Participate:

PLEASE download and complete the following survey(s) - if you don't have the time to complete both of these surveys please at least complete the 1st (VEWRS). Your input is more valuable than you realize and will help aid in the understanding of real vampirism, energy work, psychic phenomena, otherkin, therianthropy, etc.

Return the surveys to response@suscitatio.com

SURVEYS: (Click Links To Download)

Part 1 - VEWRS (MS Word Format):  http://www.suscitatio.com/images/VEWRS_Online_Survey.doc
Part 2 - AVEWRS (MS Word Format):  http://www.suscitatio.com/images/AVEWRS_Online_Survey.doc

TROUBLESHOOTING: (If You Are Unable To Read The File) - Simply Copy/Paste From The Web Sites Below Into rtf/doc/pdf/text File Format or Direct E-mail, "X" Your Choices or Delete Any Non-Applicable Choice, Send As Attachment:

Part 1 - VEWRS (Text Format):  http://www.suscitatio.com/VEWRS.htm
Part 2 - AVEWRS (Text Format):  http://www.suscitatio.com/AVEWRS.htm

Sincerely,

- Suscitatio Research Staff

Vampirism & Energy Work Research Study
A Detailed Sociological & Phenomenological Examination Of The Real Vampire & Energy Worker Community With Secondary Focus On Therianthropy, Otherkin, & "Awakened" Individuals
Suscitatio Enterprises, LLC
http://www.suscitatio.com
research@suscitatio.com

TWILIGHT III - Seattle, WA - September 26-28, 2008
A Formal Gathering of the Real Vampire Community
http://vampires.meetup.com/914/ 

TWILIGHT is a formal gathering of individuals involved in vampirism (practical and academic), coordinated by Merticus (http://www.myspace.com/merticus) (of Suscitatio Enterprises, LLC (http://www.suscitatio.com) and the Atlanta Vampire Alliance (http://www.atlantavampirealliance.com) and Daemonox (http://www.myspace.com/daemonox) (of the Vampirism Community eList (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vampirism). The goal of this gathering is to bring together the community's serious and sane for discussion, knowledge exchange, networking, and social engagement. This is an invitational event that screens attendees, and we reserve the right to refuse access to anyone.

TWILIGHT III will be held on the weekend of September 26-28th in Seattle, WA. This gathering will be officially hosted by Eric Bloodstorm (http://www.myspace.com/eric_bloodstorm_pdx) from Portland, OR, and Lady Slinky (http://www.myspace.com/ladyslinky) (of the VCMB (http://www.vcmb.org) from Seattle, WA, along with the Vampirism Community eList, which will celebrate its 10 Year Anniversary as of September 28th.

- Gathering Itinerary -

For this gathering, we have the following presentations and guest speakers planned, as well as several more that we look forward to committing to the conference shortly:

  - "The Vampire Archetype in Media, Culture, & the Real Vampire Community" by Michelle Belanger (of House Kheperu & author of "The Psychic Vampire Codex", "The Psychic Energy Codex", as well as author/compiler of "Vampires In Their Own Words")

  - "The Vampirism & Energy Work Research Study" by Merticus (of the Atlanta Vampire Alliance (AVA), & Suscitatio Enterprises, LLC - authors of the study)

  - "Energy Work Within the Void: Integration of the Individual as a Whole" by Soma (of the Los Angeles shamanic & vampiric communities)

  - "Law As It Relates to the Real Vampire & BDSM Communities, & the Practical Reality of the Donor Contract" by J.G.C. (of the Los Angeles, CA legal field & vampiric community)

In addition to the presentations, there will be open group discussion, and discussions panels that will involve the aformentioned presenters along with the following special guests: Eric Bloodstorm (Portland, OR), Lady Slinky (Seattle, WA - VCMB), Cole (San Francisco, CA - Carpe Noctum), Zilchy (San Diego, CA - Vampire Q&A on YouTube), Daemonox (Los Angeles, CA - Vampirism Community eList), and as a delightful twist, Case (Seattle, WA - Seattle Skeptics). We look forward to adding more finalized details, such as topics and additional presentations shortly. Thank you for your patience.

- RSVP'ing For Gathering & Hotel Booking -

As of Tuesday, August 19th, TWILIGHT III is currently just over halfway booked, with a capacity limit of 60 people, maximum. Discount hotel rates for the location of this gathering will ONLY be available until September 1st! For this reason, early RSVP'ing and hotel registration is highly encouraged (you will not be charged until check-out). Please RSVP NOW (http://vampires.meetup.com/914/) to secure your ability to attend this gathering, and to receive your hotel booking information.

At this time we are also interested in hearing topic suggestions for group discussion and the panels, along with any questions or comments that you may have. Please contact either Merticus or Daemonox by way of Meetup.com, or make your topic suggestions in the TWILIGHT Meetup message board (http://vampires.meetup.com/914/messages/boards/).

Attendance is restricted to members of TWILIGHT only.

For more information, to join meetup.com, or to RSVP for this event, please visit:
http://vampires.meetup.com/914/

___________________________________________________

- TWILIGHT Gathering History -

TWILIGHT I was held in Los Angeles, CA on October 30, 2007, and officially hosted by The Wretched eList (California Vampires), and the Los Angeles Vampire Meetup Group. Originally intended as a one-off occurrence, the evening began with a formal banquet dinner on one level, and progressed to presentations and discussions on a second level. Presenting at this gathering was Michelle Belanger (of House Kheperu and author of The Psychic Vampire Codex), along with Merticus and Zero (of the Atlanta Vampire Alliance (AVA), and Suscitatio Enterprises, LLC - authors of Vampirism & Energy Work Research Study). With an attendance of 50 individuals, representative of many notable and active community members from the Southern Californian region, as well as attendees from as far away as South Carolina, Ohio, Georgia, and Northern California, this memorable gathering was heralded as a success and quickly demanded encore.

TWILIGHT II was held in Atlanta, Georgia on the weekend of March 7-9th, 2008, and was officially hosted by the Atlanta Vampire Alliance and Atlanta Vampire & Non-Conformists Meetup Group. Presentations were held by Jason Crutchfield and Michelle Belanger of House Kheperu, Merticus, Zero, and SethNunMin of the Atlanta Vampire Alliance, Alistair of House DarkHaven, Tau Peristera De Magdalene and Tau Heosphoros Iacchus of Liberi Sanguinis Luciferi, RavenHarte of Clan Caladvwlch, Stephen O'Mallie of Clan O'Mallie and House Vengeance, along with discussions involving Aislin Ni MorRhiaghan, Khan, Lady Onyx Ravyn, Allen Greenfield, and Daemonox, and group discussion of the much debated documentary, Vampyres: When Reality Goes Beyond Fiction. With an outstanding attendance of 75 people, this gathering brought together attendees as far away as California, Ohio, Colorado, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, North & South Carolina, Alabama, along with the greater Atlanta region, and set an even higher standard for future TWILIGHT gatherings.

If the research study located at the web site listed below personally resonates with you, please take a moment over the next few hours or days to sit down and complete the VEWRS and AVEWRS research surveys and submit to us via e-mail.  These surveys cover a diversity of topics including but not limited to:  psychic and sanguinarian vampirism, energy work and manipulation, paranormal activities, psi-related experiences, magick, occult, spirituality, therianthropy, otherkin, and awakenings (you do NOT have to identify with modern vampirism to participate in this study).  Any information contained within the surveys that aren’t applicable feel free to choose “Not Applicable” or leave blank when this choice is not given.  The AVEWRS (Part 2) covers the topics outlined above in considerably more detail than the VEWRS (Part 1), therefore, if possible please complete both surveys (in order); submitting individually as they are completed.  Additionally, questions #170-172 (VEWRS), #982, and #988 (AVEWRS) (substitute out vampire for otherkin/therian) are VERY IMPORTANT questions aimed specifically towards the otherkin & therians that should be completed in detail.  If you have any questions (please read the FAQ first) we’re available to answer them via the e-mail address given below.  We thank you for your participation and support of this important research study!

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Vampirism & Energy Work Research Study (VEWRS & AVEWRS)
A Detailed Sociological & Phenomenological Examination Of
The Real Vampire & Energy Worker Community
With Secondary Focus On Therianthropy, Otherkin,
& "Awakened" Individuals
http://www.suscitatio.com
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NOTICE:  EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 31, 2007; NO FURTHER NOTIFICATIONS
OR UPDATES WILL BE MADE ON LJ REGARDING THE VEWRS & AVEWRS.
IF YOU HAVE YET TO COMPLETE THE SURVEYS PLEASE DO SO ASAP!
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VEWRS & AVEWRS Research Study Duration & Response Statistics:
VEWRS = 589 Days  ||  AVEWRS = 457 Days  ||  Combined Response Total:  925+
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Background On Study: 

VEWRS & AVEWRS FAQ: http://www.suscitatio.com/research/faq.html

This study is a mixed methodological study of specific subcultural social group(s) (or independents) linked by an association with specific reported phenomena and is directed towards both an online and offline audience via quantitative and qualitative dual anonymous surveys. For the detailed purpose, definition and precedent background, ethical and privacy procedures, and all other information regarding this privately funded study please refer to the surveys themselves or the web site listed above.

Focus Group:  Those who identify themselves as practitioners of modern psychic (psi) or sanguinarian (blood) vampi(y)rism with a joint focus on energy workers or practitioners (psions, energetic healers, or others who manipulate psi/pranic energy).  Additionally those who identify with therianthropy, otherkin, and as being "awakened" individuals are sub-branched in the overall classification.

Format:  Two surveys (both structured to be independent or linked with one another, with first being an introductory examination and the second an advanced examination), anonymous participation requirement, embedded random+intentional response indicators, available in MSWord, HTML Text Format, or Printed Distributed Format.  VEWRS (Survey 1) = Questions 1 - 379 (11 Categories); AVEWRS (Survey 2) = Questions 380 - 988 (5 Categories)

Analysis:  SPSS w/Correlative Analysis, AMOS / Comparisons Of Qualitative Responses In Applicable Sections (Micro-Essays); Resulting Format = Book Publication(s) & Papers

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Download VEWRS & AVEWRS Research Surveys:  http://www.suscitatio.com
E-Mail Completed Submissions (By 10.31.07) To:  response@suscitatio.com
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Statistical & Analysis Updates:  http://www.suscitatio.com
Correspondence Or Inquiry:  research@suscitatio.com
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