That time FATE reviewed a vampire book and all hell broke loose

The May 1984 issue of FATE contained a short book review by Distinguished Professor of American Religious History at Baylor University, J. Gordon Melton. Dr. Melton used less than one and a half columns to provide his thoughts on Vampires Are, a new release about (what else?) vampires from author Stephen Kaplan.

Kaplan was a learned man when it came to the undead. He started the Vampire Research Center and heavily researched the Amityville Horror case (which he ultimately declared a hoax). He also founded the Parapsychology Institute of America and apparently knew how to handle werewolves.

As the cover of Kaplan’s book shows, he considers himself a “Vampirologist.” Melton’s review calls vampirology “a pointless pursuit.” There’s more. Let’s just say that Melton was unimpressed with Kaplan’s book and credentials, and as a result, his curt review in FATE sparked an influx of letters from readers looking to set the record straight.

First, here is Dr. Melton’s review of Kaplan’s Vampires Are:

Yep, shots were fired and shade was thrown. Knowing Kaplan’s standing in parapsychology circles, the Fullers probably expected to get letters about this one. They did. Check out the correspondence below and note the sections that FATE editors crossed out to omit from print (probably Mary Margaret Fuller, although she was partial to red pens).

Of all the mail FATE received in the wake of that Vampires Are review, Pyramid Power author Max Toth’s was the spiciest.

He calls Dr. Melton stupid, suggests the review is slanderous, and asserts that FATE “should be embarrassed” for printing such a thing. Little does he know just how much humiliation it takes for us to be embarrased!

Before reading Toth’s scathing note, take a moment to admire the press packet he wisely included with his letter. Toth may be pissed, but he hasn’t lost his business acumen! We got fold out pamphlets and headshots along with brochures and outlines for his lecture series (in case you were wondering where to book a talk about Radiesthesia).

Letterhead Rating: Ugh, Max, you barely even tried. Your marketing material was on point but your “letterhead” barely qualifies as one — 1/10.

This letter in defense of Kaplan and the PIA arrived from Paul Zalasin, director of the Occult Research Center Of America (they totally should have gone by the acronym “ORCA,” but they probably did not). Zalasin served up the same dish Melton was cooking when he “wonders” about the legitimacy of Melton’s credentials. (Years later, the Los Angeles Times would call Melton “one of the nation’s foremost authorities on religion (and vampires).”)

As these things often go, Paul Zalasin may have had a falling out with the guy he so vehemently supported in print. Stephen Kaplan’s daughter claimed that Zalasin once “dumped hot soup” on her dad during a feisty disagreement.

You can’t make these things up, people!

Letterhead Rating: We like the original font and unique approach of this letterhead, but the off-centered design bothers us — 6/10.

Letters to the editor,

In regard to J.G. Melton’s attack on Dr. Steven Kaplan and very brief review of his excellent book “Vampires Are.” I have been an active member of the P.I.A since 1974 and can assure you, the PIA is not an organization in name only.

We investigate cases in the U.S. + Canada. It is well documented that Dr. Kaplan + the PIA dolved and proved the Amityville Horror hoax back in 1976.

I saw Dr. Kaplan take the lie-detector test on nationwide TV with F Lee Bailey as to his credentials + the Horror ?? ??

I wonder at the credentials of “Dr.” Melton and whether a book review should or should not turn into a forum for character assassination. It does not speak well for a person who claims to be “professional.”

It was the inspiration of Dr. Kaplan that had me turn my attention to the Para-normal — I am an archeologist + educator who now uses his scientific approach to Parapsychology.

Sincerely,

Paul Zalasin

Jim Knusch is known for dissecting genre cinema on public access television and documenting the niche world of famous midnight movie monsters. His letter to FATE touches on their Amityville Horror investigation and other hard evidence of PIA’s contributions.

Hey, thanks for the letter, James… maybe do your own proofreading next time, eh?

They never shoulda got Regina started. PIA member Regina Shanley from Long Island sent in possibly the best composed letter of the bunch. We aren’t going to retype it out due to article length and also mostly because our hand hurts from typing.