I Was Feeling Epic - by Samantha Highfill (Paperback)

About the Book

"From debut author Samantha Highfill, a definitive and deliciously nostalgic deep dive into the creation and legacy of hit show and TikTok darling The Vampire Diaries, as told by its cast, crew, and creators. 171 episodes, 8 seasons, 2 spin-off shows: The Vampire Diaries was a cultural phenomenon that became the favorite of a generation when it first aired in 2009. 15 years later, it's still a force to be reckoned with. Old and new fans alike are watching and rewatching the show on streaming services (it was the 15th most-watched show of 2020) and finding ways to engage with fellow diehard fans at TVD conventions and on social media (there are 387.8 million posts related to TVD on TikTok). The Vampire Diaries clearly has a vampirically immortal sort of success, and at the center of the fandom is Entertainment Weekly's Samantha Highfill, who has lovingly compiled the definitive oral history of the show using her own on-set experience, her TVD podcast research, and, of course, countless interviews with the show's cast, crew, and creatives. I Was Feeling Epic will be a transportive and nostalgic portal into the deeper world of The Vampire Diaries, reliving the beloved show's best moments while unearthing brand new, behind-the-scenes intel through exclusive interviews with key players like Paul Wesley, Nina Dobrev, Kat Graham, Ian Somerhalder, Candice King, Michael Trevino, Zach Roerig, Claire Holt, Julie Plec, and so many more. Perfect for old and new fans alike, this is the ultimate look into the vampiric immortality of The Vampire Diaries"--

Book Synopsis

From Entertainment Weekly writer and debut author Samantha Highfill, a definitive and deliciously nostalgic look into the creation and legacy of the hit show The Vampire Diaries, as told by its cast, crew, and creators.

In 2009, the CW released a show about grief, love, redemption, and, oh yeah, vampires. A graveyard meet-cute, a bit of fog, and one "Hello, brother" later, a cultural phenomenon was born, one that would last for 171 episodes across eight seasons and deliver two spin-off series.

I Was Feeling Epic takes us back to Mystic Falls for every first kiss, decade dance, and unforgettable death. With brand-new interviews from cast and creatives like Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Kat Graham, Candice King, Joseph Morgan, Michael Trevino, Zach Roerig, Michael Malarkey, Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson, and so many more, I Was Feeling Epic relives the show's best moments, unearths never-before-told stories, and delves into some of the most widely discussed topics surrounding the series and its legacy, all in the words of the people who know it best.

Transportive, nostalgic, and perfect for old fans and new, I Was Feeling Epic is the in-depth story behind the vampirically immortal hit: The Vampire Diaries.

Review Quotes

"Every day I'm reminded of the power of The Vampire Diaries and the community it built. With I Was Feeling Epic, Samantha has delivered the perfect deep dive into the world we worked so hard to create. If you love this show, you'll love this book." --Ian Somerhalder (aka Damon Salvatore), actor, The Vampire Diaries

"A wonderfully vivid trip down memory lane. Sam left no stone unturned and spoke to countless members of the TVD Family. Everyone shared all their best stories. A must-read for any fan."
--Julie Plec, Co-Creator, The Vampire Diaries

"Vampire Diaries fans will definitely want to sink their fangs, er, teeth into I Was Feeling Epic: An Oral History of the Vampire Diaries. The book... features new interviews with the cast, crew, and creators about the CW series and its legacy. It even has series star Ian Somerhalder's (Damon) seal of approval." --EW

"A must-have for any Vampire Diaries fan. With unmatched access to the creators and cast, Highfill offers fresh insight into the show's most iconic moments and the legacy it left behind. Whether you're Team Stefan, Team Damon, or just here for the drama, this book will change how you view teenage vampires -- and the humans that love them. --Melissa Maerz, author of Alright, Alright, Alright

"In this charming time capsule... Readers will feel like they're sitting down with a group of close friends who finish each other's stories and casually spill secrets. This will thrill the show's dedicated fans." --Publishers Weekly

"With rarely shared details about the casting process, storytelling, stunt work, and behind-the-scenes frustrations about unintentional but harmful falls into racist tropes and the lack of pay parity that played a major role in Nina Dobrev exiting the show, the book aims to leave no stone unturned and at least touched upon." --Sabrina Reed, TV on My Mind

About the Author

Samantha Highfill is a writer based in Austin, TX. She's an executive editor at Entertainment Weekly, where she's worked for more than a decade and has written features on a number of shows and movies, including The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, Peaky Blinders, Yellowjackets, Mean Girls, and many, many more. Growing up in Mechanicsville, VA, she fell in love with television about the time that Ryan Atwood showed up on her screen, and it's been the epic love story of her life -- TV, not Ryan, sadly. She graduated from the University of Missouri. Go Tigers!