Today, I am so delighted to be hosting a Q&A with the lovely Sara Dobie Bauer, here to talk about her hilarious new vampire comedy Bite Somebody (which is technically an adult book, but isn’t too risque and, I think, would be appropriate for older teens, too).
Thanks for stopping by, Sara!
I love hearing the “origin story” of books. What was the nugget that sparked BITE SOMEBODY?
My love of vampires and a certain sweet photo of Benedict Cumberbatch, who became the inspiration for my surfer boy romantic interest Ian.
You’ve written your fair share of erotica, so I was actually surprised that BITE SOMEBODY was fairly PG-13. What made you decide to turn down the heat a bit for this story?
Well, Bite Somebody is considered “New Adult” by way of genre, so I toned it down with that in mind. More so, though, this is Celia’s first time at love and real intimacy. I hate books that make first time sex all whips and whipped cream and multiple orgasms. Celia is awkward, and even though Ian is a sexy beast, it takes two to tango—and Celia doesn’t know the steps.
Do you see any of yourself in your characters? Are you more Celia or Imogene or Ian?
I’m Imogene. I have to face facts, even if she is a bit abrasive and insane.
I am (pun intended) a total sucker for vampire stories of all ilk—the funny ones, the classic ones, the campy ones, the melodramatic ones, the sparkly teenaged ones. I love them all, and BITE SOMEBODY is, of course, no exception (thank you, very much). What are YOUR favorite vampire stories & did you draw any inspiration from other vampire stories for BITE SOMEBODY?
The vampire stories I read are a lot darker than Bite Somebody. I’m a fan of Christopher Buehlman’s The Lesser Dead and Suicide Motor Club, but neither book has much in common with Celia’s story. J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood books are great, too. My biggest influence and inspiration, though, is the offbeat comedy of Christopher Moore. Now, that man knows how to find the funny!
For some, BITE SOMEBODY will be their first taste of your writing. Where can new fans find more of your work?
My website has all my books and publishing credits. What’s most surprising: I write in many different genres and in many different tones. Bite Somebody is straight romantic comedy, but a lot of my stuff isn’t. A lot of my work is kind of dark, honestly, but romance is a common trend … even when people are being murdered.
What are you working on now?
The Bite Somebody sequel, of course.
FLASH QUESTIONS:
Favorite decade?
Roaring 20s.
Favorite piece of clothing?
Does jewelry count? My skull ring made of real bone.
What do you splurge on?
Cocktails.
Book you’ve re-read the most?
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
Favorite Disney movie?
Sleeping Beauty (I love Maleficent.)
Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw?
Slytherin.
Favorite villain?
Dracula.
Name 5 things currently on your desk (or in your writing space).
- A dancing flower.
- A shrunken head.
- A vampire Christmas tree ornament.
- Pen and paper.
- Glass of water.
“Do you want to be perfect?”
That’s what Danny asked Celia the night he turned her into a vampire. Three months have passed since, and immortality didn’t transform her into the glamorous, sexy vamp she was expecting but left her awkward, lonely, and working at a Florida gas station. On top of that, she’s a giant screw-up of an immortal, because the only blood she consumes is from illegally obtained hospital blood bags.
What she needs to do—according to her moody vampire friend Imogene—is just … bite somebody. But Celia wants her first bite to be special, and she has yet to meet Mr. Right Bite. Then, Ian moves in next door. His scent creeps through her kitchen wall and makes her nose tingle, but insecure Celia can’t bring herself to meet the guy face-to-face.
When she finally gets a look at Ian’s cyclist physique, curly black hair, and sun-kissed skin, other parts of Celia tingle, as well. Could he be the first bite she’s been waiting for to complete her vampire transformation? His kisses certainly have a way of making her fangs throb.
Just when Celia starts to believe Ian may be the fairy tale ending she always wanted, her jerk of a creator returns to town, which spells nothing but trouble for everyone involved.
Get it: Amazon | World Weaver Press
Sara Dobie Bauer is a writer, model, and mental health advocate with a creative writing degree from Ohio University. She spends most days at home in her pajamas as a book nerd and sex-pert for SheKnows.com. Her short story, “Don’t Ball the Boss,” was nominated for the Pushcart Prize, inspired by her shameless crush on Benedict Cumberbatch. She lives with her hottie husband and two precious pups in Northeast Ohio, although she would really like to live in a Tim Burton film. For more about Sara, visit her website.
Novel Novice 
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