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Edge Hill University is celebrating Halloween by announcing their spooktacular plans to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Dracula’s publication which will see students work with Bram Stoker’s descendant.  

Edge Hill and their partner Crooked Dice Game Design Studio will be collaborating with horror writer Dacre Stoker, the descendant of Dracula author Bram Stoker, and Dr Chris McAuley of Stoker-McAuley Productions.

The collaboration will generate exciting opportunities for Edge Hill’s English, History and Creative Writing students. Together they will explore Dracula’s central place in the history of horror in a series of projects and events.   

Image of silent film actress Theda Bara.

The centrepiece of the partnership will see Creative Writing and English students the unique opportunity to create 7TV: Dracula – Wargaming in Bram Stoker’s Gothic Masterpiece, a skirmish game faithful to the original Dracula story. The game will form part of the growing StokerVerse franchise.

Headshot of Karl Perrotton, manager of Crooked Dice

I’m delighted to be collaborating with Edge Hill again. I can’t wait to work with the students in adapting this beloved gothic novel onto the tabletop, expanding both the worlds of 7TV and the Stokerverse.

Karl Perrotton, Managing Director of Crooked Dice
Headshot of Dr Peter Wright wearing Crooked Dice merch

This is an excellent opportunity for Edge Hill and Crooked Dice. Dracula is probably the most well-known gothic horror novel in the world, and for our students to have the chance to work with the author’s descendant is really exciting.

Dr Peter Wright

The partnership also heralds a year of Dracula-related events at Edge Hill developed with EHU Nineteen, the University’s interdisciplinary research centre focusing on the long 19th Century. Throughout the next 12 months, they will be exploring the legacies of Stoker’s novel in a series of exciting events. 

The first is an exhibition at The Atkinson in Southport where visitors can step inside Dracula’s castle, learn about the history of the vampire, and be one of the first to try out 7TV: Dracula

Dr Laura Eastlake

Our 19th Century research group will be exploring the cultural impact of the vampire. Whether it’s as Victorian villain or modern-day boyfriend material, the vampire has long been a figure that cultures have used to talk about the most pressing cultural questions of the day. 

We’ve already created a special module for our students called Vampire Fictions and next year we will be hosting an international conference on the cultural legacy of the vampire, to explore the many meanings of the vampire in culture, but also to explore the benefits that arts and humanities researchers can bring to the UK games industry through projects like 7TV: Dracula.

Dr Laura Eastlake

Students taking part in the development of 7TV: Dracula are supported by the Student Opportunity Fund which contributes financial support that helps undergraduates and postgraduates take part in activities that enhance employability and develop transferable skills. 

If you’re interested in studying Creative Writing at Edge Hill, you’ll learn from a world-class community of writers and gain insights into publishing, broadcasting and professional production on a degree brought to life by guest writers, visiting professionals, readings and workshops. 

October 29, 2021

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