10/26/2009 in The Derrick, Venango County, PA Local Newspaper
Woman publishes novel about lifelong passion — vampires
By KRISTI CUMMINS Staff writer
Alicia Alex never thought she would write a novel, let alone have one published. Born and raised in Oil City, Alex did write poetry as a child, but that was it.
Alex attended Mercyhurst College and Clarion University, but didn’t major in anything writing related either time. Instead she chose to study archaeology and anthropology while she attended the schools.
But today, Alex has her novel, “The Masters,” an illustrated version of “The Masters,” two poetry books and one vampire themed cookbook published. And, another vampire novel is on the way.
Alex claims that Anne Rice is her idol as far as writing goes.
“She made the world see vampires in a whole new light, and that’s what I want to do,” Alex said.
Her love for vampires began when she was a child when her mother tried to send her upstairs one evening to prevent her from watching a supposedly scary movie about vampires. Because of her stubbornness, Alex stayed. Instead of being afraid of the bloodsucking bad guys, she fell in love with the vampires.
“I was so stubborn so I had to watch it,” Alex said. “I didn’t get scared once. I’ve been addicted ever since.”
Vampires have become a hot commodity over the past few years, with the phenomenon of the “Twilight” books and movies, and the adaptation of the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris into the popular HBO series, “True Blood,” to name a few. Alex claims that she has yet to actually read the “Twilight” books or see the movies. Her stories about vampires have been formulating in her mind even before the vampire craze became famous, she said.
“I didn’t want them to interfere with my story, but I plan to read the books and see the movies,” Alex said.
The idea for “The Masters” started out as a daydream. After writing down the short story, Alex let a friend read it and they suggested it be turned into a novel. The main character in the novel, Amadio the vampire, was inspired by a picture of actor Orlando Bloom that Alex saw.
“He had that charming yet dangerous vampire quality,” Alex said. “I wanted to see what he’d do as a vampire.”
“The Masters” was finished last November, and published this summer. The story is about a new race of vampires living their lives as the ages pass. The time spans from ancient Egypt to modern day, and features adventure, romance, and playful vampires.
“It’s still new, and being published locally, but eventually I’d like to turn it into a movie script,” Alex said.
And if it were to be adapted into a movie, Orlando Bloom would obviously play the lead.
Alex has received some feedback on the novel from those who have read the book so far. The reviews claim that Alex’s novel is “better than ‘Twilight,’ and rivals Anne Rice.”
“You’ll find that the characters start writing the book for you,” Alex said of the unexpected twists and turns the plot in her novel took.
Alex has always had an interest in the supernatural elements of the world. She is also a paranormal investigator and practices the Wicca religion.
Alex was always a good student in school and she was the first student to be inducted into the National Art Honor Society when it was first introduced at Oil City High School. Being different made high school a very difficult time for Alex.
“Someone once asked me if I could turn them into a frog,” Alex said.
While Alex says she wishes she could turn some people into frogs, she can’t.
A self described kid at heart, she says that is a necessary quality to have as a writer.
“The better the imagination, the better the writing,” Alex said.
To get in the writing mindset, Alex says she listens to music, watches movies, and looks up pictures online. “The Masters” took two years to write, but Alex finished the majority of it last November. She also does all of the artwork and illustrations for her writings.
Alex has two upcoming book signings Friday at the Oil City Library and Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Franklin Library, both from 2 to 6 p.m. There will also be a bake sale at the Oil City signing, and proceeds will benefit the library.
More information is available and Alex can be contacted via her Web site, www.realmofthemastervampires.com
“It’s amazing,” Alex said. “I still can’t believe I did it. It’s something I’ve dreamed of since fourth grade, and I still can’t believe it’s published.”
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10/23/2009 in The Derrick, Venango County, PA Local Newspaper, Good Times Section
Oil City book signing
Alicia Alex, a local Author and an Oil City native, will hold a book signing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, during the Friends of the Library Bake Sale at the Oil City Library. Alex will promote her first novel, "The Masters," a vampire-based novel for teenagers to adults, and a poem book, "Celestial Emotions for Children & The Young at Heart," for children and up. Alex maintains her official author's Web site at http://realmofthemastervampires.com.
The Oil City Library is located at 2 Central Ave. in Oil City. For more information, people may call 678-3072.
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10/31/2009 in The Derrick, Venango County, PA Local Newspaper
Decked in vampire garb, Oil City native Alicia Alex does a book signing Friday at the Oil City Library. Alex wrote “The Masters”, a book about a new race of vampires, living their lives as the ages pass. Alex says she’d eventually like to turn it into a movie script.
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10/30/2009 on the WKQW Radio Station in PA
Alicia Alex was part of a radio program with Sam Gordon at 9 A.M. for the station WKQW. A PA radio station.
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October 2009 on the Clarion University's Radio Show in PA
Alicia Alex was featured on a Segment with Bob Baker, the segment featured an in depth interview with the Author about her book The Masters and other books she has worked on or is currently working on.
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11/20/2009 on the DC and the Family Radio Show on Wuzz 94 and 107
Alicia Alex was part of the program with DC and the Family, Alicia said it was a great honor to be featured on the show! Alicia had actually met DC and the Family over the summer at Drake Well in Titusville, PA and again at Cranberry Mall in Cranberry, PA.
DC and the Family Radio Show, in picture from left to right:
Lil' Bobby, Alicia Alex, Trudy Alex, DC
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