In our Q&A with Rice (call it an Interview with the Vampire Author), we discuss Lestat, the new book and four decades of 'Vampire Chronicles.' He intends to rule the Undead in peace, but beings from the lost kingdom of Atlantis pose a new threat to the vampires' existence. In 'Realms of Atlantis,' Lestat is the new Prince of the Vampires at the Chateau de Lioncourt in the mountains of France. 'I love that the original novel stayed on the shelves long after its publication and that with the second novel, 'The Vampire Lestat,' a series truly was born.' 'I often contemplate the whole experience with awe and gratitude.

'Frankly, I could never have foreseen 40 years ago that I'd still be writing about Lestat, of all characters, or that there would be a series of the 'Vampire Chronicles' spanning so many stories,' she says. The 12th installment, her latest, is 'Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis.' Forty years later, the 'Vampire Chronicles' series is still going strong. The best-selling author's first novel, 'Interview With the Vampire,' which introduced Lestat, hit bookstore shelves in 1976. Yes, the Vampire Lestat is immortal - but it still boggles Anne Rice's mind that she can continue to write about him after all this time.

The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice