Charlaine Harris and True Blood

The following interview was first published on PVN December 2007, before True Blood aired on HBO. Charlaine Harris shares her thoughts about giving her Sookie stories over to someone else.

I'm republishing this post in honor of True Blood's start of Season 2 tonight June 14 at 9:00 PM.


This interview was conducted in June 2007 in preparation for the Library Journal column From Shelf to Screen (Oct. 15, 2007). In 2008 HBO will air the TV series True Blood (tentatively scheduled for March) based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries featuring the mind-reading Louisiana barmaid Sookie Stackhouse who finds herself intimately involved with the vampire subculture.

1. Although you are the author of the Southern Vampire Mysteries you have had to turn over creative control to Alan Ball (producer of Six Feet Under). You obviously have a lot of confidence in him, but how were you able to let go of your own creation?

It won't be my creation any more when it's on television. It'll be Alan's creation, and a completely different animal. I'm looking forward to seeing the books from a completely different point of view.

2. Producer Alan Ball is obviously a fan of the Southern Vampire Mysteries. What information have you shared with him on developing the characters, especially Sookie.

I think all the sharing I need to do is right there in the text. When I was trying to decide who to go with, of the offers in front of me, Alan was the one who convinced me he understood what I was doing with the books.

3. Have you made any suggestions for the True Blood stories? Will any of the novels be a basis for an episode?

The pilot episode is Chapter One of Book One, "Dead Until Dark." The plan now is to follow the books chronologically.

4. Has filming begun? Have you been on the set and if so what was it like for you?

Filming starts June 7, last I heard. I have been on the set while it was still being built, and I've met some of the production crew. Without exception, they struck me with their questions, their interest, and their knowledge of the books. It was a really pleasant shock to find out they cared about the books and hoped their vision enriched mine.

5. What do you think of the actors who have been cast? What do you think they will bring to their roles?

I am confident that Alan and his casting director have picked the right people for the right roles, because that's what they do for a living, and their track record says they're pretty good at it. I don't know squat about acting, and I'm really fascinated by the process. It may be I'll learn something about the characters from watching their interpretation!

6. Will there be any kind of publicity touring or interviewing that will include you in helping to launch the series?
I don't think touring . . . I just toured for ALL TOGETHER DEAD, the seventh Sookie. I'm doing quite a few interviews about the show, and I'm sure there'll be more right around the premier, if that's not too grand a name for it.

7. How firm is the Jan.'08 launch date?
I have no idea. After HBO executives view the pilot, that'll be firmed up.

8. Will there be a prescreening of the first episode? Will you be involved in this or will you watch it for the first time along with the rest of us?

Alan has mentioned that I should come to LA for the prescreening, and I'm thinking about it. Depends on what's going on with my family then.

9. Any other comments you wish to make would be welcome.

I've read the first two scripts, and I couldn't be more pleased and excited.

10. Do you have any comments that you would like to make to the library community? It's impact on you or your work?

Sure. My mom (until her retirement) was a librarian, and my sister in law (until her untimely death) was a librarian, and I think it's a super job. It's no coincidence that two of my best friends have been librarians. When I think of how much libraries do for people who need the dreams and the information books hold, it makes me regret I didn't get a degree . . . though I realize that sounds very suck-uppy, as my daughter would say.


Note from Patricia: I love the Southern Vampire Mysteries and was hooked after reading the first book Dead Until Dark (Ace, 2001). What better combination than mystery and vampires? Book number eight From Dead to Worse will be published by Ace in 2008. Like Harris's many fans I look forward to watching the HBO series. Unfortunately the debut date is very dependent on when the current writer's strike is settled. For more thoughts on Charlaine Harris and her vampire series look at Patricia's Vampire Notes for May 12, 2006.



The Sookie Stackhouse Books in order of publication:

Dead Until Dark: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood)

Living Dead in Dallas: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel (True Blood TV Tie-In Edition)

Club Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 3)

Dead to the World (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 4)

Dead as a Doornail (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 5)

Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 6)

All Together Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 7)

From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, No. 8)

Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 9)

True Blood -HBO series

True Blood the HBO series based on Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse stories begins season two on June 14, 2009.

Watch a trailer

Internet Sites of Paranormal Interest

According to FirstShowing.net acclaimed Mexican director Guillermo del Toro has teamed up with writer Chuck Hogan for a series of vampire novels. Book one The Strain is scheduled for publication by William Morrow in June 2009.



Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson, Book 4)
is the fourth book in Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series. "Mercy's managed to miff the vampire queen. The problem with an old vampire is that they think in layers . . . and they don't play nicely."

Read chapter one.



Congratulations to Anna Paquin of True Blood for her Golden Globe win of 2009! Below is a clip from that special moment for Anna as she is announced as the winner. Notice that her escort is Stephen Moyer who plays her vampire lover Bill Compton. I read somewhere recently that they really are an item. Guess that's true. She won as Best Actress in a drama series for her role as the mind reading waitress Sookie Stackhouse.





On Feb. 2 one of my favorite TV series returns for a 5th season. Medium starring Patricia Arquette as Alison DuBois will be on NBC Monday nights. It seems like forever since the last episode but it has only been since May of 2008.





Underworld: Rise of the Lycans will be in theaters January 23, 2009. This third Underwold flick shows the continuing war between vampires and werewolves. For the trailer you are better off going to the Apple site. It seems to load faster than Sony's official site.



Read an interview on SciFi Wire with Rhona Mitra new Underworld star. See her photo above.








Read Chapter one of Dead and Gone the latest Sookie Stackhouse book from Charlaine Harris due out May, 2009. As most of you know this series is the basis for the HBO series True Blood. (see above entry on Anna Paquin)

Contest - True Blood, Tonight, Sept 7 at 9pm on HBO

For those of you who have a chance to watch True Blood tonight (Sept 7) on HBO, I would like to hear your opinion.

Let me know what you think. Positive or negative comments welcome. Say why you feel the way you do. Please be civil. No profanity or ranting. Each commenter will have a chance to win a copy of Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Series, Book 6) by Charlaine Harris, Ace 2007. Her books form the basis of the True Blood series.

Contest ends September 9 at midnight!

True Blood - Recent News

The latest word is that True Blood, the series based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries series by Charlaine Harris, will debut on HBO in September, 2008.

A recent article by Brian Ford Sullivan gives more detail.

Remember this month's two contest winners will receive a copy of Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris. All email subscribers are eligible. See the information in the left hand column on how to subscribe.

Win a Copy of All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

E-mail subscribers to Patricia's Vampire Notes have a chance to win a copy of All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris (Ace, 2007). If you are not yet a subscriber be sure to sign up. See Subscribe To notice in the left hand column.

A winner will be chosen on April 30 and announced on this site.

Good luck!

Interview with Charlaine Harris Author of the Southern Vampire Mysteries

This interview was conducted in June in preparation for the Library Journal column From Shelf to Screen (Oct. 15, 2007). In 2008 HBO will air the TV series True Blood (tentatively scheduled for March) based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries featuring the mind-reading Louisiana barmaid Sookie Stackhouse who finds herself intimately involved with the vampire subculture.

1. Although you are the author of the Southern Vampire Mysteries you have had to turn over creative control to Alan Ball (producer of Six Feet Under). You obviously have a lot of confidence in him, but how were you able to let go of your own creation?

It won't be my creation any more when it's on television. It'll be Alan's creation, and a completely different animal. I'm looking forward to seeing the books from a completely different point of view.

2. Producer Alan Ball is obviously a fan of the Southern Vampire Mysteries. What information have you shared with him on developing the characters, especially Sookie.

I think all the sharing I need to do is right there in the text. When I was trying to decide who to go with, of the offers in front of me, Alan was the one who convinced me he understood what I was doing with the books.

3. Have you made any suggestions for the True Blood stories? Will any of the novels be a basis for an episode?

The pilot episode is Chapter One of Book One, "Dead Until Dark." The plan now is to follow the books chronologically.

4. Has filming begun? Have you been on the set and if so what was it like for you?

Filming starts June 7, last I heard. I have been on the set while it was still being built, and I've met some of the production crew. Without exception, they struck me with their questions, their interest, and their knowledge of the books. It was a really pleasant shock to find out they cared about the books and hoped their vision enriched mine.

5. What do you think of the actors who have been cast? What do you think they will bring to their roles?

I am confident that Alan and his casting director have picked the right people for the right roles, because that's what they do for a living, and their track record says they're pretty good at it. I don't know squat about acting, and I'm really fascinated by the process. It may be I'll learn something about the characters from watching their interpretation!

6. Will there be any kind of publicity touring or interviewing that will include you in helping to launch the series?
I don't think touring . . . I just toured for ALL TOGETHER DEAD, the seventh Sookie. I'm doing quite a few interviews about the show, and I'm sure there'll be more right around the premier, if that's not too grand a name for it.

7. How firm is the Jan.'08 launch date?
I have no idea. After HBO executives view the pilot, that'll be firmed up.

8. Will there be a prescreening of the first episode? Will you be involved in this or will you watch it for the first time along with the rest of us?

Alan has mentioned that I should come to LA for the prescreening, and I'm thinking about it. Depends on what's going on with my family then.

9. Any other comments you wish to make would be welcome.

I've read the first two scripts, and I couldn't be more pleased and excited.

10. Do you have any comments that you would like to make to the library community? It's impact on you or your work?

Sure. My mom (until her retirement) was a librarian, and my sister in law (until her untimely death) was a librarian, and I think it's a super job. It's no coincidence that two of my best friends have been librarians. When I think of how much libraries do for people who need the dreams and the information books hold, it makes me regret I didn't get a degree . . . though I realize that sounds very suck-uppy, as my daughter would say.


Note from Patricia: I love the Southern Vampire Mysteries and was hooked after reading the first book Dead Until Dark (Ace, 2001). What better combination than mystery and vampires? Book number eight From Dead to Worse will be published by Ace in 2008. Like Harris's many fans I look forward to watching the HBO series. Unfortunately the debut date is very dependent on when the current writer's strike is settled. For more thoughts on Charlaine Harris and her vampire series look at Patricia's Vampire Notes for May 12, 2006.