Vampires Never Get Old - Zoraida Cordova Page 0,93
complicating the idea that the vampire is the natural villain by introducing a slayer with a strong family tradition, putting them on equal—and deadly—footing.
What do you think? Who is the real villain: the slayer or the vampire?
Acknowledgments
This anthology wouldn’t be possible without the MVPs of the night: Vampires, who live in the minds, hearts, and imaginations of so many. But they can’t take all the credit. That is why we would also like to thank:
Lara Perkins for being an incredible advocate and agent.
Our editor, Weslie Turner, for sharing our vision for the project and approaching every stage with impeccable grace and insight.
The phenomenal Imprint/Macmillan teams who continue to support this work, including: Erin Stein, Hayley Jozwiak, Kayla M. Overbey, Cynthia Lliguichuzhca, and many more.
Adriana Bellet aka Jeez Vanilla for cover art that exceeded our wildest hopes.
Our authors: Tessa, Dhonielle, Mark, Laura, Julie, Victoria, Samira, Heidi, Rebecca, and Kayla. Your stories are everything we wanted when we set out to put this collection together.
Most importantly, to you, dear reader, for sharing in our love of the undead.
Cheers,
Zoraida & Natalie
About the Authors
SAMIRA AHMED is the New York Times–bestselling author of Love, Hate & Other Filters, Internment, and Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know. Her short stories and poetry have appeared in anthologies including Take the Mic, Color Outside the Lines, Ink Knows No Borders, Who Will Speak for America, This is What a Librarian Looks Like, and Universe of Wishes. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Samira has taught high school English, worked in education nonprofits, and spent time on the road for political campaigns. She was born in Bombay, India, and grew up in Batavia, Illinois, in a house that smelled like fried onions, spices, and potpourri. She has lived in Chicago, New York City, and Kauai, where she spent a year searching for the perfect mango. Visit her online at samiraahmed.com and on Twitter and Instagram @sam_aye_ahm. Samira’s problematic blood-sucking fave is Spike.
DHONIELLE CLAYTON is the coauthor of the Tiny Pretty Things series and the New York Times–bestselling author of The Belles series. She grew up in the Washington, DC, suburbs on the Maryland side and spent most of her time under her grandmother’s table with a stack of books. A former teacher and middle school librarian, Dhonielle is cofounder of CAKE Literary—a creative development company whipping up decidedly diverse books for a wide array of readers—and COO of the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books. She’s got a serious travel bug and loves spending time outside of the USA but makes her home in New York City, where she can most likely be found hunting for the best slice of pizza. Visit her online at dhonielleclayton.com and @brownbookworm on Instagram and Twitter. Dhonielle’s favorite vampire is Count von Count from Sesame Street.
ZORAIDA CÓRDOVA is the author of many fantasy novels for kids and teens, most recently the award-winning Brooklyn Brujas series, Incendiary, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: A Crash of Fate. She is the co-host of the podcast Deadline City. Zoraida was born in Ecuador and raised in Queens, New York. When she isn’t working on her next novel, she’s planning a new adventure. Visit her online at zoraidacordova.com. Her favorite vampire will forever be Angel … but Damon Salvatore is a close second. Sign up for email updates here.
TESSA GRATTON is the author of adult science fiction and fantasy novels The Queens of Innis Lear and Lady Hotspur, as well as several young adult series and short stories which have been translated into twenty-two languages. Her most recent YA books are the original fairy tale Strange Grace and Night Shine. Though she’s lived all over the world, she currently resides at the edge of the prairie with her wife. Visit her online at tessagratton.com. Tessa’s favorite vampire is Gilda, from The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez. Sign up for email updates here.
HEIDI HEILIG is the author of the acclaimed Girl From Everywhere series, as well as the Shadow Players series. Her books have made the Indies Next List and both the Andre Norton and Locus Recommended Reading lists and she has a past life as a musical theatre writer. Visit her online at heidiheilig.com or on Twitter @heidiheilig. Heidi’s favorite vampire is the Titular character in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
JULIE MURPHY lives in North Texas with her husband, who loves her, her dog, who adores her, and her cat, who tolerates her. After several wonderful years in the library world, Julie now