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Brett

"Vampire: 1989"

About Me

(From the Authorhouse press release:)

Beware the Vampire in the 1988 Firebird
Classic Horror Meets Dark Comedy in “Totally” Retro Tale

Bust out the Metallica, tease out that bleach-blond hair and prepare for a last gasp of 1980s-style summer headbanging. Just beware of the unusual party-crashers that have come to town in Vampire: 1989, the new comedic horror story by Brett A. Contreras.

It is August, 1989, and Mike only wants to savor his last days of summer freedom before his freshman year of college. However, his family’s annual escape to the Adirondacks is not panning out to be the thrill he had hoped. Luckily, his father nominates him to run an errand for a friend that requires him to return early to their home on Long Island. Mike seizes the opportunity to hang with his friends and have the run of his parents’ house and sets out immediately for Massapequa with his sister in tow.

Unfortunately, his seemingly harmless errand has brought a dark presence to his hometown, and it turns out Mike is not the only one with end-of-summer plans. Before long, the carefree teenager and his party-hopping friends find themselves embroiled in a vampire’s plot to found a new coven on Long Island, and the unholy creature will suffer no interference.

Finding little to no support from parents or police, the teens are forced to confront the vampire and his rapidly-growing legion of undead, which now includes several of their friends. As those with fresh blood still coursing through their veins struggle to save their necks, it is anyone’s guess as to who will be left standing or who will fall to this beastly newcomer. “Will anyone survive or will freshman college orientation have been in vain?” quips Contreras. The answer lies within the pages of this humorously horrifying tale.

Infused with music from the period, from classic rock to metal to early alternative, Vampire: 1989 pays an over-the-top tribute to the times and offers horror-fiction lovers everywhere a throwback scare. For more information, visit www.vampire1989.com .

My Interests

Writing, Blood Bowl, Football (American Football, or Gridiron for our friends overseas), Ice Hockey.

Zombie, Vampire and Werewolf movies and games. Check out Urban Dead (www.urbandead.com) for a fun, low-tech MMORPG. It's gotten a bit imbalanced, but it's still fun.

I'd like to meet:

I actually got into this just to try to get the word out about my first published novel, "Vampire: 1989", but there are definitely some interesting characters out here in MySpace!

If you ARE interested in a fun, retro vampire story, check out the website at www.vampire1989.com . Thanks!

Music:

Favorite bands are Cheap Trick, REM and Queen.

For excellent, cutting-edge American folk music, check out my buddy Diss at mysite.verizon.net/diss .
This guy is a new, young talent and is on the rise. Highly recommended.

I've often been criticized for my taste in music. One tactful coworker once described my tastes as "eclectic". I think that was right after I bought CDs by Marty Robbins, Hanson and Manowar. I also may be one of the only people left that likes bagpipes.

So be it. To me, music is a visceral thing; I listen to what makes me feel good at any particular time. It doesn't have to be "meaningful" and, to be honest, I actually prefer bubblegum to ballads in most cases.

All that being said, my good buddy czarjoel has been slowly introducing me to "thinking man's music" over the years, and slightly more cerebreal tuneage is slipping into my MP3 playlist. I can't think of any of them right now, but I'm listening to Big Audio Dynamite right now. That's not as bad as The Archies, right? Oh, they're on next...

Bottom line, I like songs from most genres. Can do without rap or death metal. I can't tell you how tired I am of people SINGING about what badasses they are or how many women they can get.

Movies:

I can't list every movie that I thought was very good; that's insane. Here are a few favorites, which I'll change from time to time:

Aliens (1986)
300
Blackhawk Down
Star Wars (IV, V, II and III)
Serenity
Dawn of the Dead (both versions, though 1978 is my #1 horror movie of all time)
Tears of the Sun
The Program
Friday Night Lights
Wedding Crashers
National Lampoon's Vacation
Major League

Television:

I have a wife, two kids, a full time job, a softball hobby and a drinking habit (or is it softball habit...?). Who has time for television?

Lost is a very cool show, but I lost track of it this season. Back when I *could* watch tv, Frasier, Scrubs, Seinfeld and the Simpsons were my daily fare.

My buddy just sent me a link to Nathan Fillion's MySpace page, so I am reminded that Firefly was the best show on television for all too short a time. Way to go, Fox.

Books:

The Lord of the Rings is the best work of fiction ever written. You can be a casual fan, or become completely engrossed like a psychopath (ie, me) and read the appendices, Silmarillion, etc. He created a living, breathing world that has never been matched in fiction, before or since.

Starship Troopers, by Robert A. Heinlein (the book - the movie sucked butt on a rainy day)

Heroes:

My father. Isn't that weird? A 36-year old man who still admires his dad?

Soldiers, policemen and firemen. Thank you to all of you who risk your lives to protect ours.