A lot of attention has been focused on Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series lately, because of reports of a bookstore ban and the filming of New Moon. Not to be outdone in vampire world, Charlaine Harris' latest, Dead and Gone, will be released tomorrow. Here's Chapter 1, if you'd like a sneak peek.

Harris' tales of Sookie Stackhouse have been adapted for the True Blood television series (whose second season is scheduled to begin in June), and her loyal fans are likely to stampede to the latest tale. Expect more of the horror/mystery crossover combo that she spoke about on Read Street last year.

As you wait for the new book, check out this interview with Harris from the Wall Street Journal. Topics include Southern writers who have influenced her, the series' small-town location, and differences between the books and the HBO series. Here's Harris on the popularity of vampires: "America is obsessed with youth. We all want to look young forever, and vampires do. They are caught in their prime, if that's when they've been turned. And they'll be that way forever."