Once upon a time, Dracula ruled the night.
His name was whispered in shadowed taverns. His silhouette against a full moon was enough to send an entire village into a frantic search for garlic and holy water. He was the Prince of Darkness, the Master of the Undead, and a man who took his brooding very, very seriously.
Now? He struggles with smartphones.
In my new book, Dracula Goes Viral, the real horror isn’t a wooden stake through the heart or a surprise sunrise. It’s the blue light of a 6-inch screen. It’s the relentless notification chime of a world that never sleeps. It’s the invisible "magic" called Wi-Fi that connects people instantly, relentlessly, and—in Dracula's opinion—far too loudly.
Ancient Dignity vs. The Modern Circus
Wait, Is That a Ghost? No, It’s Just a Tourist.
For centuries, the Count enjoyed a certain level of privacy. He had a castle, a cape, and a reputation for being unapproachable. But the modern world has a funny way of turning legends into entertainment, fear into festivals, and monsters into mascots.
Dracula doesn’t seek fame. Fame finds him. Not because he’s trying to be a star. But simply because he exists.
Imagine a man who has lived through the fall of empires and the terrifying era of powdered wigs. He carries himself with a certain Gothic drama—a sweeping cape, a gaze that can chill marrow, and a vocabulary that hasn't seen an update since the 1800s.
But he has walked into a reality he no longer recognizes. To Dracula, his dignity is everything. To the modern world, he is simply a piece of the scenery.
From Legend to Landmark
The humor in Dracula Goes Viral doesn’t come from him trying to fit in; it comes from the world refusing to let him be what he is. He expects the hush of a dark, respectful night. Instead, he finds:
Gothic Drama vs. Cheerful Crowds: He is a master of the night wandering through bright, noisy festivals where his face is plastered on cheap plastic souvenirs.
Monsters into Mascots: The world has turned his centuries-old reputation into a tourist story—and a poorly told one at that. He isn't being feared; he's being sold as a souvenir.
The Reluctant Celebrity: Fame finds him not because he seeks the spotlight, but because in a world of high-definition cameras and constant surveillance, a man in a velvet cape can no longer simply exist in the shadows.
He is confused, grumpy, and above all, reluctantly visible. The contrast isn't just about the technology—it’s about a legendary vampire realizing he’s become a tourist attraction in his own home.
The Tech Terror (Screens and Wi-Fi)
In the old days, a monster could rely on the shadows. If you stayed in the dark, you stayed a secret. But in the world of Dracula Goes Viral, the shadows have been colonized by the 5G signal.
For a man who has spent centuries perfecting his "menacing presence," the modern smartphone is a personal insult. It isn't just the cameras; it’s the relentless connectivity. To Dracula, Wi-Fi is an invisible web that binds people together in a way that feels more like a curse than a convenience.
The Reluctant Celebrity He doesn't want to be trending. He doesn't want to be "followed." In his mind, being followed involves a torch-wielding mob, not a digital counter on a profile page. The horror comes from the fact that he can no longer be truly alone.
Every time he tries to observe the modern world with his trademark stoic grumpiness, he finds himself caught in the background of someone’s high-definition life. He isn't a participant in the digital age; he is a reluctant victim of its visibility.
The Heart of the Clash
This is Dracula as he’s never been before:
Confused by the sheer speed of information.
Grumpy about the lack of proper respect for the night.
Observant of a world that has forgotten how to be afraid because it’s too busy being entertained.
Somehow, through all the confusion and the annoyance of a device that fits in a pocket, this clash becomes both funny and strangely touching. It’s a story about a legend trying to find his place in a reality that doesn't have a "Gothic Drama" filter.
The Heart Beneath the Cape
While the contrast between a brooding vampire and a glowing smartphone is ripe for comedy, there is something deeper at play in Dracula Goes Viral.
Beneath the grumpiness and the confusion lies a man—or a monster—trying to reclaim his narrative. In a world that wants to turn him into a meme, Dracula is searching for something real. This isn't just a story about technology; it’s a story about finding your place when the world refuses to see you for who you truly are. It is humorous, it is heartfelt, and it is a reminder that even the oldest legends have new stories to tell.
Ready for a Not-So-Silent Night?
If you are looking for a Middle Grade adventure that combines classic Gothic drama with the chaotic energy of the 21st century, look no further. Whether you’re a fan of classic literature or just someone who has also felt personally victimized by a software update, this is the book for you.
Don't let the legend stay in the shadows.
Discover why Wi-Fi is the ultimate vampire hunter.
Explore a Valcronis you never saw in the history books.
Join Dracula as he navigates the most terrifying thing of all: Being famous for all the wrong reasons.