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I Was Feeling Epic

An Oral History of The Vampire Diaries

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Paperback
$22.00 US
5.17"W x 7.92"H x 1.13"D   | 12 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Sep 09, 2025 | 416 Pages | 9780593475959

From Entertainment Weekly writer and debut author Samantha Highfill, a definitive and deliciously nostalgic look into the creation and legacy of 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 will relive the show’s best moments, unearth never-before-told stories, and delve 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.
"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

“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

"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
© Ari Michelson
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! View titles by Samantha Highfill

About

From Entertainment Weekly writer and debut author Samantha Highfill, a definitive and deliciously nostalgic look into the creation and legacy of 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 will relive the show’s best moments, unearth never-before-told stories, and delve 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.

Praise

"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

“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

"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

Author

© Ari Michelson
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! View titles by Samantha Highfill