iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 15/09/2025

Finally my PhD thesis is submitted! After 8 years of tribulation and hardship. To all those who have had similar experiences, and also to @nataljastgermain.bsky.social, utmost respect! Soon I will get back to querying Bunika! But first, some decompression [and the viva]! Have a good night, all! 🍻 🖤

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 20/08/2025

Due to recent changes in the UK law [the "Online Safety Act"] my DMs are locked behind mandatory photographic ID / debit card verification. Since I refuse to do this I have no DM access. Please email me if you want to get in touch privately! My details are in my profile info 🖤🦇🖤

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 22/07/2025

RIP Ozzy you absolute legend. Thank you for everything 🖤

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 28/05/2025

Apparently just selecting the "web" tab will do it - I just read. I don't know if that helps... but it's something. I mean, you have to select it, which can still be annoying.

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 09/04/2025

3/3 Tepes' cage was so misted that even with night vision, I couldn't get a shot of it. But someone else did on a now defunct Facebook page. I was extremely thankful, when there, for all my time dungeon-crawling in Skyrim without a map, I never thought it would have practical application! 🏰

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 09/04/2025

2/🦇 The map doesn't help. There is no tour guide or phone reception. The labyrinth is, in places, so dark that you can't see five feet in front of you, even with a torch. Hugging the wall is the only thing that can orientate you. Staying calm is highly advisable 🧘‍♀️

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 09/04/2025

Buda Castle Labyrinth - 1/🦇 Far underneath Buda Castle in Hungary lies its disorientating Labyrinth. A confounding network of dark tunnels and dead ends, Vlad Tepes was imprisoned here in 1462 and kept within it for an agonising 12 years. Photo: my own, Feb 2025.

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 06/04/2025

I'm starting to think I'm one of the only people in existence to have Batalion D'amour's "Niya" album... even as mp3. It's one of the most beautiful examples of female-fronted Gothic rock I've ever heard. It's not on Spotify. Some of it is on YouTube. If you can find any of it... please listen! 🖤

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 26/03/2025

The Church of St Elizabeth of Hungary [Kostol svätej Alžbety] Bratislava, Feb 2025. Also known as "The Blue Church", it was finished in 1913 in an art nouveau, fantasy-esque style. The empire fell only five years later, in 1918, the church a fairy-tale reminder of its final days 🏰 #photography

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 20/03/2025

Trinitarian church, Bratislava, Feb 2025 🇸🇰 This is the full raw shot since adapting it in GIMP distorts the details! This is as far into the church as I was allowed. Built in 1717, five years after Bunika, the church follows the Baroque style of Vienna which was becoming so popular ⛪ #photography

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 19/03/2025

The beautiful model on @gothicbeautymag.bsky.social #57 reminded me so much of Marika from Bunika 🇸🇰 So I created this fictional 18th C 'Slovak Beauty' cover which DOES feature her! [I contacted the magazine with no response, oh well:)] This is a creative tribute, no commercial intent! 1/2

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 18/03/2025

Crypt, St Martin's Cathedral, Bratislava. Feb 2025. This shot, taken in total darkness, was done using a 3 second exposure and night vision. Unguided, I was the only one there during my visit. Built over an old cemetery, this is one of three crypts the cathedral has. #photography #gothic

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 17/03/2025

Mural, Bratislava, Feb 2025. It's tempting to post all my street photography as raw images, uncropped and unprocessed, but that probably won't happen! However, in this case it has. Difficult composition because of the size and angle of the thing - but it's beautiful art. #urban #photography

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 11/03/2025

"House of God, Hall of Heaven". Left entrance arch, St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest. The church, built in 1851, was constructed in honour of Hungary's first king [c. 975-1038]. Originally built in a neoclassical style, it took 50 years to complete and was neo-renaissance in format by its finish.

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 10/03/2025

I am back from the castles, crypts and cathedrals of Slovakia and Hungary 🇭🇺 🇸🇰 I'm overwhelmed with all the information I've gathered and emotional for having had to leave! I've got a LOT of research material and a lot to share 🖤 Pic: ceremonial keys to Bratislava city, 18th C. City Museum 🏰

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 28/02/2025

Thank you to anyone who voted in the draw a few days ago for @batconservation.bsky.social - You'll be delighted to know they won £5,000 towards their efforts for bat conservation as a result! 🖤🦇🖤 What wonderful news! Have a great day, all 🖤

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 23/02/2025

Thank you! Here's to productivity!

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 23/02/2025

I'm back in Bratislava for more Bunika research so here is one of many forthcoming pictures! This is the river Váh in Slovakia near the small town of Šaľa. A tributary of the Danube, Váh is the longest river in the country 🇸🇰 Pic my own, Feb 2025. Taken from a moving train 🖤 #gothic #photography

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 21/02/2025

Like bats?? I do! And I'm a member at @batconservation.bsky.social 🦇 If you click the below link and vote for the Bat Conservation Trust, they could win £5k! And who wouldn't want to give bats more help! 🖤 Sorry for being quiet! I'll be back tomorrow 🇭🇺 animal.movementforgood.com/index.php?cn...

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 13/02/2025

Cryptwork: Benediction in marble, Kensal Green Cemetery, London. The cemetery was inspired by Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, and opened in 1833. I visited Père Lachaise in 2013 and took a load of shots, which I haven't looked at since. Maybe one day I'll post them here 🖤 #gothic #gothicadvent

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 12/02/2025

In 18th century Slovakia, a young widow turned to vampirism by a herbalist sect must part from her lesbian lover to reclaim her humanity 🇸🇰 THE HISTORIAN X A DOWRY OF BLOOD 🖤🦇🖤 Agent's guide included 📖 #questpit #A #HF #H #R #Q #gothic #literary #vampire #writesky #folkhorror #LGBT 🏳️‍🌈

A visual with a dark blue background and dark grey border. To the left is an image of a empty glassless black chapel window looking from below with the text "The Black Cathedral Chapter XIV" beneath it. To the right is the text
"An agent's Guide to Bunika
A Gothic Novel by S. B. L. Grant
All art and photography original."

A visual with a light blue background and dark grey border. To the left is the text
"Introduction
BUNIKA is an adult Gothic horror novel set in 18th century Slovakia. It combines the period elements of Kostova’s THE HISTORIAN, the queer narrative of THE GILDA STORIES and the lavish literary style of A DOWRY OF BLOOD."
To the right is a photograph of an iron ouroboros on a black door with the text "Ouroboros Door Chapter II" beneath it.

A visual with a dark grey background and dark grey border. To the left is a map which says "Horné Uhorsko (Slovakia) 1712". To the right is the text
"Pitch
February 1712
After Marika is murdered at a witchcraft trial by a herbalist sect, she awakens as neochotný - “The Unwilling” - a half human/half vampire whose nature is in constant conflict.
Fleeing to Modra Castle she becomes smitten with its heiress Ruzena, but is informed that an elusive cult leader named Bunika has orchestrated her turning.
Marika must embark on a journey across Slovakia to confront Bunika, to be reborn into humanity and live peacefully with her lover.
She must unite her conflicting nature, become stronger than she knows, or remain eternally tormented by psychological strife."

A visual with a mid blue background and dark grey border. To the left is a photograph of a castle tower under a dark grey sky with the words "Hrad Červený Kameň, Slovakia (Basis for Modra Castle) Chapter III" beneath it. To the left are the words
"For those who enjoy:
Historical Gothic romance (86k words)
Remote European settings
Traditional vampire folklore
Gritty, uncompromising horror
Strong LGBT themes
Emotional erotica
Dilemmas of identity
Layered narrative and symbolism
Shocking outcomes
Moral relevance
Re-readability and discovery"

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 11/02/2025

Since this just came up in a chat with @darksimz.bsky.social... What do you think of the opinion that Nosferatu (2024) is the best vampire film ever made? I initially rejected the idea. But now I think it might be.

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 11/02/2025

Cryptwork: Mausoleum, West Norwood Cemetery, 1863, London. For years I thought this was a chapel. In fact it is the resting place of John Peter Ralli, a Greek businessman whose family was influential in creating the Greek Orthodox section of the site in the late 19th Century. #gothic #photography

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 07/02/2025

Cryptwork: The tower of Tower Hamlets Cemetery? One of the few remaining structures there which was in one piece. Without a tripod, getting the composition precise was difficult, but I think I mostly managed it. #gothic #photography #london

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 06/02/2025

No Gothic cemetery photos this morning since Flickr is down, with probably the most bizarre and amusing error message I've ever seen 🐼 I may actually have to answer some questions for the #questpit hype event instead! 📝

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 05/02/2025

Cryptwork: Mausoleum gate, Nunhead Cemetery, London. This is one of many pictures I've taken of cemetery gate locks. Just like the draugr in Skyrim, it's almost as if the doors are there to keep whatever's inside IN, rather than people OUT. #gothic #gothicadvent #photography

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 04/02/2025

Cryptwork: Autumn tomb, Nunhead Cemetery, London. Oct 2010. Nunhead, very much like Tower Hamlets cemetery, was highly overgrown when I visited. This may have improved in recent years, though I feel it certainly [and classically] assists with the Gothic atmosphere. #gothicadvent

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 03/02/2025

This is a "when', not an "if"? You made me think of the attached post from the Debian forums in 2015 re systemd adoption. I don't think you're referencing systemd as such, but it's a huge attack vector.

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 30/01/2025

Cryptwork: Ivy patina, Brompton Cemetery, London. A bit of a mystery, this. I captured it with no other information but the green film hints that it's copper, most likely a mausoleum door. Either way, the ageing adds a particularly appropriate colouring to the ivy beneath 🌿 #gothic #gothicadvent

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 27/01/2025

Leafpad. The original one as well, not the fork! #linux #debian #hashtag

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 27/01/2025

In 18th century Slovakia, a young widow murdered and turned to vampirism by a herbalist sect must confront their elusive leader to reclaim her humanity. THE HISTORIAN X A DOWRY OF BLOOD 🖤🦇🖤 Agent's guide included 📖 #2025Pit #A #E #H #HR #gothic #literary #vampire #writesky #folkhorror #LGBT 🏳️‍🌈

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 25/01/2025

These are the next ones. Next one for you Nat would be @miserypit.bsky.social since it includes WIPs. What a great name!

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 25/01/2025

Afternoon all 🖤 A massive thank you to all who took part in #YouDeservepIt yesterday who have showed support to Bunika so far on this long journey 🏔️ Good luck to everyone with their own creative projects - literary or otherwise - and have a wonderful day 🦇 Image: Červený Kameň 🇸🇰

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 24/01/2025

Bunika takeaways: - A fresh take on the vampire genre 🦇 - Historical Gothic fiction 🕸️ - Field-researched in Slovakia 🇸🇰 - Traditional folklore + original lore 📖 - Tarot-led story with original cards 🔮 - Moralistic horror 🩸 - Emotional erotica 🌶️ - Complex characters 🧛‍♀️ Goodnight, #YouDeservepIt! 🖤🌙 🌃

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 24/01/2025

In 18th century Slovakia, a young widow murdered and turned to vampirism by a herbalist sect must confront their elusive leader to reclaim her humanity. THE HISTORIAN X A DOWRY OF BLOOD 🖤🦇🖤 Agent's guide included 📖 #YouDeservepIt #A #H #Q #gothic #literary #vampire #writesky #folkhorror #LGBT 🏳️‍🌈

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 23/01/2025

So Robert Eggers is making #Werwulf based in 13th century England 🐺 It will be in the language of the period [Middle English]. We don't know if wholly or in part. Have attitudes to subtitles changed? Would you be OK with the whole film in subtitles? 🖤 Art credit: @pandimensions.bsky.social

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 23/01/2025

Cryptwork: Mausoleum ironwork grate, Brompton Cemetery, London. Oct 2010. Tagging @samstrzyga.bsky.social because of her love of the place 🖤 #gothic #photography #victorian #gothicadvent

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 22/01/2025

I am completely ignoring The Horrors™️ and if anyone talks about it too much I end up ignoring them or blocking them! I like Oreos. Mostly plain ones. It is VERY difficult to eat fewer than four at once. I also love the art of Salvator Rosa.

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 22/01/2025

Cryptwork: "LOVE THYSELF" Graffiti, Abney Park Cemetery Chapel, London, Oct 2010. This writing will have long gone since the chapel's restoration in 2021. But I'm pleased these photos were taken: they create a record of messages now lost, but whose importance still endures. #gothic #photography

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 22/01/2025

Cryptwork: Chapel, Nunhead cemetery, London. Oct 2010. The cemetery was opened in 1840 and catered for wealthy Victorian citizens. By the mid 20th C it was full and closed off. It then fell into disrepair. After extensive funding, it was reopened in 2001. #gothic #photography #gothicadvent

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 21/01/2025

Fieldwork #3: "Eat pussy, its vegan + protein" Graffiti, Isle of Lesbos, Greece, Sept 2024. Pic my own. #lgbt #photography #urban #streetphotography

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 21/01/2025

Bunika info #23: A miniature jarné veniec (spring wreath) hangs from a door in the town of Modra, Slovakia, where much of Bunika is set 🇸🇰 Meant to celebrate or usher in the spring, this photo was taken in Feb 2024. The resident seemed eager for the turn of the season 🌱 #folklore #photography

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 20/01/2025

Cryptwork #19: "Beyond the Black Diamond Gates" [cf. Opera IX] Interior of the dilapidated chapel at Abney Park Cemetery, London, seen from the separating grate, before its restoration. Pic my own, taken in 2010 🖤 #gothic #gothicadvent [yay!] #photography #blackmetal #metalsky

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 20/01/2025

So today I want to say thank you to Milicent for making a beautifully terrifying creature. Also massive credit is due to @malloryomeara.bsky.social for writing "The Lady from the Black Lagoon": documenting her life, and making sure her amazing work is properly honoured 🖤 4/4

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 20/01/2025

This wasn't just about one woman though - it was about intentionally minimalising women's creations, institutional sexism, deliberate suppression of female talent and profound inequality at a structural level. Long live women in horror - as characters and creators! ♀️ 3/

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Bunika Vampire @bunikanovel.com · 20/01/2025

The woman responsible was Milicent Patrick. A highly talented designer who went uncredited in her work for over twenty films because of the systemic sexism in Hollywood in the 1950s. Bud Westmore took personal public credit for her work for years and fired her after a promotional tour. 2/

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