DEBUT SPOTLIGHT: NICOLE EIGENER
Photo by Nicole Eigener
I recently had the opportunity to chat with fellow Gothic-lover Nicole Eigener about her debut novel, BEGUILED BY NIGHT, published by Polidori Press. We had a great time talking about her book, which follows Vauquelin, an ancient vampire living in self-imposed exile in modern day Los Angeles. Vauquelin enjoys a relatively carefree existence, until time suddenly begins to unravel and the past comes back to haunt him…in a very real way.
As Vauquelin fumbles through the centuries in reverse, confronting old wounds and the scars they’ve left behind, he’s forced to reckon with his missteps and acknowledge his defeats—as well as his brutal nature as a vampire. The choices Vauquelin makes while reliving his past could cost him everything he loves all over again, or reward him with a second chance at the only true happiness he’s ever known. BEGUILED BY NIGHT is a story about loss and redemption, woven through a decadently macabre tapestry of time, with just enough gore and horror to stay true to the vampire novel’s history of elegant violence.
If you’d like to acquire BEGUILED BY NIGHT for your own home library, you can visit Nicole’s website thevampire.org to find a list of retailers, or you can request it from your local bookseller.
And now for our interview…
Paulette: Hi, Nicole! I’m so delighted you could chat with me. Thanks for taking the time. I had the privilege of beta reading BEGUILED BY NIGHT last year, and I particularly enjoyed how you reconciled Vauquelin’s animalistic nature with his outward sophistication and inner turmoil. He’s brimming with the kind of existential angst that makes for a brilliant antihero. Can you tell us what inspired you to write BEGUILED BY NIGHT?
Nicole: I’ve been infatuated with vampires and history as long as I can remember, and I wanted to write a story that delved into the reality of living through centuries and experiencing so many changes in the world. I had started a straight histfic novel a year or so before Beguiled and it completely stalled. I may revisit it one day, but, as one of my characters says, “The allure of the vampire is undeniable.” Vauquelin forced his way into the forefront of my imagination, and as his world unfolded to me, at some point he completely took over and I felt a bit like my vampire’s secretary!
I think vampires are ideal metaphors for a number of individuals who may see themselves as outcasts from society: introverts, nonconformists, those who don’t fit a sexual mold, to name just a few examples. It’s my belief that this is part of the reason for the enduring popularity of the vampire: many people can relate to them in one way or another (blood drinking aside — or not?).
I love historic vampire stories and films, and I wish there were more. So mine ended up being the vampire story that I personally wanted to read.
Paulette: I totally agree—vampires are a great metaphor for those of us who feel like outliers in society, and I for one am glad to see them making a comeback in commercial literature! I’m often curious about how my fellow writers approach their craft. Tell us a bit about your writing process. Are you a pantser or a planner? Do you write every day?
Nicole: I am an absolute mess as a writer. I don’t recommend my process to anyone (laughs). I’m the very definition of a pantser. Because my work is historic in nature, there’s an intimidating research process that precludes any actual writing, and continues beyond.
Accuracy is important to me, from world-building down to speech patterns and colloquialisms, so I create massive documents and image folders which I constantly build and refer to throughout the writing process.
I’m not good at designating time to write…I find that writing when I’m in the mood presents better results. It can’t be forced. I also keep my phone handy at all times, because I never know when inspiration will strike, and I keep organized notes and passages on my iPhone, which I can then access from the cloud on my desktop. Unfortunately, inspiration often strikes when I’m in a bath or trying to fall asleep! I think one must write down ideas, good or bad, immediately at the moment they make an appearance...because if you’re like me you will not remember them, no matter how hard you try to convince yourself.
Paulette: I can relate! I can’t tell you how many times an idea for a line or a plot point will come to me when I’m driving. I almost always forget to write it down later. And yes to the research. It’s probably my favorite part of the writing process. How about you? What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of crafting a novel?
Photo provided by author
Nicole: I love watching the story unfold. When I began Beguiled I had the basic premise and hook: and little else. Minor characters shoved their way into the spotlight and refused to be just a mention. In short, I had no idea what was going to happen, so it was as much a surprise to me as anyone reading the book for the first time.
It was enthralling and addictive, like binge-watching/reading a show. What will happen next? I can’t wait to find out! I’m envious of writers who can outline and stick to it: that just doesn’t work for me. I crave the spontenaity.
Paulette: Our ideas and our characters can certainly take us on some unexpected journeys! It’s such a major accomplishment to finish a novel, and then to have it be published. I think it’s important to celebrate each milestone. How have you celebrated your successes as a writer?
Nicole: Well, I suffer greatly from impostor syndrome. I still can’t believe something I wrote is out there in the world. But having a book published before I turned 50 was a massive accomplishment for me, and I am so proud of it. Sometimes I just like looking at it. Seeing readers’ photographs sends me over the moon and helps me remember that it really happened…it’s a real book!
Paulette: I hear you on the impostor syndrome. I think many writers struggle with it, especially during their debut year, when the pressure to succeed with your book can sometimes be overwhelming. What kinds of challenges have you faced as a debuting author?
Nicole: Releasing a book in the middle of a pandemic was a bit of a wet blanket: there were no opportunities for in-stores, which I would have loved. I am an extreme introvert (much like Vauquelin), so I’ve shied away from videos which are so popular right now. I like to stay in the shadows as much as possible, so I’ve probably missed some chances to promote it.
Paulette: I have heard this from a lot of my friends who debuted in 2020 and early 2021—the pandemic certainly had a widespread effect on publishing and promotion. But despite the challenges, you’ve done a wonderful job getting the word out about your novel. Hopefully we’ll be back to in-person events and conferences soon. Any advice you have for writers, especially those heading into their debut year?
Nicole: Don’t feel rushed to find an agent or a publisher (or to push it out if you’re self-publishing). There is absolutely no reason to rush. I think it’s incredibly important to get it into the right hands, but not at the price of sacrificing the book’s integrity.
All authors must engage in self-promotion, so do your research on how others in your genre are doing it. And cast your net wide for writer friends: they are absolutely essential. This is a strange, strange world, and having someone who knows the struggle of birthing a book will make your journey so much stronger.
Having a friends-and-family support system is wonderful, but including people in that circle who understand the pitfalls and can lift you up when you freak out is priceless!
Paulette: Absolutely. And I’m so grateful that you’re part of my circle! Thanks again for taking the time to chat with me, Nicole. It’s always a pleasure.
Nicole Eigener is a lifelong student of French history and the macabre. Her fascination with vampires dates back to the age of eight, when she saw 'Salem's Lot on television. Many years later, her love for haemovores became a beautiful marriage to her obsession with French history and culture, specifically of the seventeenth-century.
Beguiled by Night is her first published novel, although she has been writing since childhood. Growing up, the words of Toni Morrison were always bubbling beneath her dark surfaces: “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." And so she did. She hopes you love Vauquelin and her French vampire world as much as she does. Nicole lives in Southern California with her husband.
You can connect with Nicole on Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads, or on her website.