Dacre Stoker (2016)

I think a message that Bram was telling us all was that evolving science and technology in the Victorian era was a good thing, and in the hands of the right people, like the Crew of Light, it can show us a way to a new future in the modern age. It was used to battle the supernatural from the old world, aka Dracula, but at the end, faith in goodness still reigned.

In general I think it's really cool the way that creative writers, producers and directors have found new and interesting ways to portray the "evil creatures". They keep it original and keep us on our toes... I'm not one that puts down Twilight; anyone that keeps people reading and the genre alive, even if it's paranormal romance, it's only a good thing for me.

I felt the presence of Bram when I was in the Rosenbach Museum. I was sifting through his notes and it might have just been me and the respect I have for his work that made me feel that he was approving of my efforts, and that he was there for me.

I'd say somewhere in between. There haven't been many movies true to the original novel, primarily because the style it was written in - epistolatory - has been very difficult over the age to adapt to the silver screen. I am quite forgiving if the screen writer/director stays true to the storyline, and follows the general direction that Bram went with his novel. Again, I appreciate originality and creativity, so variation is important to keep the genre alive in years to come.

I went right to the top of the turret once; there were bats flying at my head... That was pretty creepy.

Hi there! How about Benedict Cumberbatch? I think he would be great.

Like an acre of land with a "D" in front!

It was an old Irish surname, adapted to the first name by Bram Stoker's uncle. The original Dacre was actually a WW1 submarine hero.

Haha - you got me on the first one!

The vampire trait of immortality has always been very attractive to people seeking entertainment or as an explanation for what may happen after life. They have emerged from a creature that looks like it dragged itself out of the grave, to the boy next door, to attractive Hollywood stars. I really think he is here to stay, even if he no longer wears tuxedos inside his castle. I'm very excited to see where it goes next!

Hi! The last 13 years have been different to how I charted out; I have travelled to some very interesting places to help spread the word about the mysteries behind the writing of Bram Stoker's Dracula, and I've learned a lot from very interesting people that know more than I do. Special thanks there to Dr Elizabeth Miller, a mentor and scholar and John Browning, friend and scholar.

Hey - thanks so much, always a pleasure.

In terms of my favorite things; the way the castle emerges from this enormous rock is impressive... And the non-Dracula history that exists here is fascinating too.

Your second is an interesting question... The creature that Bram created actually had very few human characteristics. He was all about survival. Human characters came through much later through authors like Anne Rice and Stephen King.

Thirdly, I can make no promises. Bring some garlic.. And I always recommend travel insurance.

There is also the conflict of modernity.

On the one hand, science was seen as a scary thing, but Bram was celebrating the fact that approached in the right way, it was a good thing. On the other hand, he was making a statement about a new, modern "problem" of reverse colonisation by addressing the issue of Dracula coming to London and how awkward and dangerous that is making everyone feel.

As a young boy, at Halloween, people used to joke when they came trick or treating - would they get candy or give blood? In reality, the significance of Bram's literary legacy didn't sink in until I found on the book shelf a first edition copy of Dracula signed by Bram to his mother. That was the first time I ever read the book. I later found out how valuable it was - thankfully I didn't let the dog chew the edges!

This year Tammy and Rob, a brother and sister from Ottawa, Canada, have been chosen as Airbnb's Night At winners to sleep here at Bran Castle. What I think is interesting about them is that their grandfather was a very highly respected scholar in gothic literature, so we have plenty in common and will have lots to chat about when I host them on Halloween.

Good question. I like a lot of them, but the 1992 Francis Ford Coppola film is great, I've gotten to know the screenwriter, Jim Heart, pretty well. We have done presentations together and even though the movie is different from the book, it's a worthy adaptation.

Booking a coffin through Airbnb? I'd really love to see that happen. Here and at other Dracula related sites as well.

Garlic started in ancient Egypt as a medicinal herb and as a result of that it embodied protection later on, which Bram picked up on in his novel. Personally, I love Italian food laced with garlic - for the taste, not to keep vampires at bay.

Sadly, we were not like the Munsters or the Addams Family. We're really quite normal. Although the others appreciate what Bram has done, I'm the only one that has vocally embraced his legacy.

I'm not personally staying here no. It's a competition reserved only for the winners... I'm still waiting for my invitation though!

I have been asked to donate some Stoker blood before, and it was not by the Red Cross.

Finishing writing a book - that feeling of putting it to bed is great.

Also, being so engrained in gothic culture means I get invited to some amazing places and events. At the moment, I'm writing this in the shadow of Bran Castle as part of Night At Dracula's Castle, which has become an overnight, worldwide phenomenon. Being part of this, and other things like this, are very satisfying as I'm playing my part in keeping the genre alive.

Yes they are. They hover between what we know as alive and the eternal rest of death.

Jonathan Harker, as I host guests in Dracula's castle...

This is a difficult thing to achieve - mostly because the storyline is not very linear. Bram Stoker's Dracula goes in many directions at once, and from many different points of view. One series I've been impressed by is Bloodline; it's the closest I've seen to date.

I'd lie in my coffin and read Dracula for the upteenth time!

The closest in the BBC Louis Jourdain series... The worst I can't say - there's been a few poor attempts but largely I enjoy seeing what people try to do.

This is very very similar to the storyline that Ian Holt and I chose for Dracula: The Undead (2009). We felt that 25 years after Bram's story ended, we should visit the surviving members of the Crew of Light and see what happens to them, because this is where Mina's relationship with Jonathan really developed. It was strained because of her interaction with Dracula and the fact Jonathan and Mina had a baby, but she had Dracula's blood within her... I appreciate you share our interest in this area. It's hard to say what Bram would have done, as he really didn't kill off Dracula in the end... He used a knife, not a steak.