We have seen quite the string of vampire novels in publishing the last few years. From Anne Rice to THE HISTORIAN to TWILIGHT, every time I have heard someone in the publishing business say the whole vampire thing had run its course… along came another successful vampire book to prove that it had not.
America apparently loves vampires! And I’m still getting more vampire novels in my Inbox than perhaps any other genre/trope.
What do you think? Is the public still ready for fresh takes on vampirism? Or is it time to break out the garlic?
If there are hundreds of comments about this topic, then they are undead, very undead.
I think it’s all in the way you present it
I totally agree. It’s a genre, like romance and sci-fi. I might get tired of reading it every now and then, but it’s not dead.
And I really have to laugh at Thomas Burchfield’s comment:
Well, ahem, as I’m writing one myself though I’m not calling it that, but something else I would say no, they’re um quite “undead,”
Because I did the same thing with my first YA novel. I was so frustrated with the whole cliched vampire that I created my own fantasy being – and in case you’re wondering, no one in the publishing world seems interested yet.
voted vamps DEAD, then got this for word verification:
partichs
adv. trendy abbreviation for particularly.
Informal, as in: Taylor says she’s just not that into vamps, you know, patichs, but obvs not! She’s totally got a Twilight poster over her bed.
LCS249 said…
Saw a little-known Swedish movie recently (recommended by Netflix) that I thought was extraordinary. Guess others thought so, too, since it’s apparently in development as an American flick now:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1139797/
It’s called ” Let the Right One in” and it’s available in an english dubbed version. I actually wish they had subtitled it instead but it is an amazing vampire movie and based on a really great literary and frightening book.
Dark, brooding and needy? Surely beats the ‘neck’ out of feeding babies!
Vamps are classics. BUT I think that there are enough “new” types of paranormal creatures showing up in the Paranormal Fic scene to give everybody something new or at least different to read and take a break from them.
Great poll and discussion!
Rachel
Dark, brooding and needy. Must beat the ‘neck’ out of feeding babies!
As long as something fresh and different comes along, I can’t see why vampire books need to have a deadline of extinction.
I think folks here are right. The vamps have been and always will be around. Their form just changes with the times. Today it’s Twilight, but tomorrow I suspect it will be a bit darker variety again. Personally, I like the darker, meaner variety. I’d go for a movie like Near Dark over Twilight any day. It seems that they’ve become something more of the ‘familiar’ instead of ‘other.’ Perhaps I’m looking at it wrong, and I’ve done no research on this mind you, but we seem to have had a gradual transition to normalizing vampires. They’ve been huge in the romance market, so it kind of makes sense. If you’re going to have sex with them, they have to be a little more human and a bit less undead. Someone will come along with something edgier again soon, and spin the eternal vampire wheel in another direction, don’t worry.
7-iron said…
voted vamps DEAD, then got this for word verification:
partichs
adv. trendy abbreviation for particularly.
Informal, as in: Taylor says she’s just not that into vamps, you know, patichs, but obvs not! She’s totally got a Twilight poster over her bed.
I’m totally stealing that.
My daughter is 13, loved Twilight and then hated it when it became The Big Thing (she likes to buck the trends) and she has told me she thinks Vampires are Done and Overdone. I’d like to think she’s just a smidge ahead of the curve on this one.
Vampires have become their own genre.
Since the middle ages Vampires have always titillated people’s imaginations. I don’t think that something so ingrained into our cultural subconscious will ever be eradicated, but their popularity will wax and wane.
On a personal note, I seriously doubt that they will since my vampire novel is set to be released at the end of May. My marketing team already has 4 commercials planned and dates to film two of them so far.
Considering all the books I’m getting off of the first run are already sold (with back orders coming for more) and the book isn’t even out, I think Vampires are on the rise.
Karen Dales
Author
“Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen”
Release – Summer 2009
karendales@thechosenchronicles.com
Website: https://thechosenchronicles.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenDales
Livejournal: https://karendales.livejournal.com
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/cn27xa
Or is it time to break out the garlic?
Only if they sparkle.
Vampires will never die from the hearts and minds of imaginative individuals. Vampires are too ingrained into our collective psyche from as far back as the middle ages.
Frankly, I think they are a genre on their own and it still sells extremely well.
I have a vampire novel coming out at the end of May and the books I bought from the first run are already sold with pre-orders occurring for more signed editions.
No. Vampires, like Santa Claus, will never go away.
Karen Dales
Author
“Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen”
Release – Summer 2009
karendales@thechosenchronicles.com
Website: https://thechosenchronicles.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenDales
Livejournal: https://karendales.livejournal.com
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/cn27xa
In my capacity as a librarian, I can say that every day, someone is coming in to ask if we have books in one new vampire series or another. So the interest is definitely there.
I think it’s probably harder to sell a book or series to an agent or publisher, though. I’m sure the question, “And what makes your book/series unique?” is the first thing out of their mouths.
Personally, I love all things vampire, monsters, etc. Mostly because I grew up watching Bram Stoker’s Dracula and other great movies that my mother ever so lovingly let me watch (which then gave me nightmares for a while there!). So I hope that they don’t die because I can’t get enough of them…HOWEVER! I have read my fair share of truly sucky vampire novels recently. If you’re going to have them, at least write them well!
And yes, I have to admit somewhat bashfully, that I’ve just finished a vamp novel. It’s way different from anything I’ve seen though, so that’s a plus anyway. Now to just get all that editing done! 🙂
All that to say…I don’t think they’ll disappear anytime soon – especially with all the tween girls that want the “Twilight/Edward-esque” boys to read about.
Note: Anon @ 3:11 – Oh. My. Goodness. I had to have a good laugh about that one. I’m a total Buffy fan…and if only, if only. 🙂
Note 2: Ha. It’s like all of us started to write a vampire novel with the idea of creating something new! Sounds good to me. I can devour a good book in about four hours. Now if the books could just be printed faster…
I hope not! Though that means we have to endure some pretty bad stories (Sorry, Twilight) to get the good ones. Vampires are timeless and have captured the imagination since before Bram Stoker when people were telling folk tales of women who would suck the blood of children at night. There are so, so many ways to write a vampire. You can go for the romantic, sophisticated and dangerous type. Or you can go for the vicious and animalistic vampire. And every kind in between.
I’ve never liked the vampire thing though I appreciate the story telling of Stephanie Meyer and they did a great job on the movie. If I didn’t have a teenage daughter I’m sure I would have never read it. There’s something not romantic about cold skin and hunger for blood.
Can we please go back to epic fantasy and sword and sorcery? Can someone write the next ‘Lord of the Rings?’
I sure as heck hope they’re not dead as i am submitting my query letters as i type!!!!
Its not just the kids who love a good vampire novel, I for one am enjoying the ‘nice guy’ twist to what could only be described as characters with nasty dietary habits.
I’m actually quite scared of vampires. But the American vampire phenom is starting to spread to other countries…at least, I think so, based on “Let the Right One In,” an incredibly creepy movie that I regret seeing over last Christmas.
Just a note to Jennifer Roland
I too was a bit over the whole “Im a pretty vampire” thing. After reading Twilight i decided i wanted a vampire with …. testosterone. I was concerned that my teenage daughter was in love with a stalking, oh so beautiful control freak. Thats when i started typing.
My Vamps are blokes, real blokes who wear jeans and don’t spend all day in the mirror styling their hair!
I loved SM’s novel but coming from Australia i wanted a real guy and a strong heroine who can do her own share of the saving!
I’m sick of them but that doesn’t mean much. I never liked them to begin with. As with everything, though, if a writer TRULY wants to be a blockbuster success she needs to INVENT the next big thing…not just hop on a train that’s already rolling.
Some folks like vampires and some folks don’t. The one thing that’s sure is us fans of the genre are loyal and we’re pretty picky now with all the vampire books made available. I love em to death (ha) but I need a break now and then. Even through my breaks, I’m still picking up a good one that’s been recommended to me.
I voted undead, completely unashamed bias (hehe). I’m writing a paranormal series that’s from the immortals’ pov and tend to love books like this although they’re pretty hard to find since Anne Rice’s works. Most have the vampire in the background, as the lover to a human woman, or as an outside conflict which to me has become kinda old.
Director Guillermo Del Toro has his ‘Strain’ trilogy coming up and Justin Cronin is coming out with his Passage trilogy so we’re having some new blood (ha) offering their takes alongside the paranormal romances which is exciting.
I fell in love with vampires as a kid and still adore them.
My favorite vampire movie is “Fright Night,” because it was such a fun parady of all the vampire movies of my youth.
Zombies just aren’t as sexy. Never have been, never will be…and the sexiness is a big part of vampire’s allure.
Great question! I loved reading all the responses.
I too watched Dark Shadows as a child.
I recently watched the Swedish film "Let the Right On In" and though I would have preferred sub titles instead of the dubbing, I have to agree that is a great movie.
My movie collection and book collection years leans heavily towards the undead and fantasy. (and Time Travel & Aliens)
For Christmas my Mr gave me an iTouch and had it engraved on the back. It reads: Time Traveling Alien Vampire – (then my name)
He sure has me pegged.
Anyway – as long as it's a good read – keep bringing 'em.
I don’t know whether the genre has run its course or not, but I for one most heartily wish it had never come out of its coffin. I’m hard put to think of any more disgusting type of character to be morphed into “heroes.”
Verification word, epitabr: A stonecutter who makes typos on gravestones?
I have this urge to write a sexy zombie book now. My main zombie will be very beautiful and I will name him Edward…. oh wait……
Hmm…I’m not personally a fan of this genre. However, I would assume that captivating writing, a believable world, great characters, and a completely inventive take on any genre…would lead to success. Especially, if the story is appealing to a more general audience. If I’m hooked from the first page, who cares if it’s about potatoes? Hee…Hee…
No vamps for me, please. It’s one of the last things I’ll pick up.
~jon
I enjoy well constructed Vamp stories, especially blended with other supernatural beings.
There was a time when anything vampire sold, even a story not well written.
Now, I think a little more thought has to be put into the storyline. Give it some freshness. Christine Feehan gave the concept a different twist with her Dark series. Some pretty tough dudes. I noticed the comment about vampires being effeminate–I don’t agree, there are several authors out there that present vampire as pretty tough guys–some are good guys some not. Jacqueline Franks has vamps in her world that are anything but girly. The Immortals series, has both good and bad vamps and they’re not girly either, and have been known to wear jeans, lol! Gena Showalter has some some pretty impressive vamps in her Atlantis series.
While I won’t pick up a book with just any vamp premise, if the author is creative in the storyline and in developing their world–sure I’ll buy it.
As far as Twilight? It really didn’ interest me and I looked. The movie? I couldn’t get into it. There was more teen angst in the first 40 minutes than a season of 90210 or Melrose Place. My 14 year old liked it. To be fair, it did finally pick up towards the end.
Great poll, Nathan. I just did a post on ZOMBIES. They seem to be a crazy lately, too!
I think vampire novels will be around for awhile. 🙂
Well, I just sold a vampire story (to Circlet Press).
That would be a fine how-do-you-do, if the genre/trope/archetype/whatever died out before the anthology saw the light of day (so to speak).
That’s my second vamp short story, come to think.
Vampires have been very, very good to me.
I think Roland may be on to something, about where the trope might be headed.
I loved anything vampire for years, but am now burned out on the entire genre. If I never read another one – no matter how highly touted, no matter who writes it – it will be too soon.
I like vampire stories, but would love to see something really fresh. Have no idea what that would be, however, which is why I’m not writing any vampire stories. 🙂
No offense, but I’m tired of polls about urban fantasy given to the general public. If you want to know the staying power of vamps, ask the people who read them.
Forget crap like Twilight. There are still good stories with vampires in them. In December we had Adrian Phoenix’s In the Blood. Patty Brigg’s Bones Crossed and Nalini Singh’s Angel’s Blood were out last month. Ilona Andrews has Magic Strikes out tomorrow. Jim Butcher’s Turn Coat is out the next week (Thomas is one of my favorite vamps). In May we have Charlaine Harris’ Dead and Gone (with Eric my second favorite vamp). LKH Skin Trade is out in June. and on and on and on.
These books will hit the bestseller’s list. There is a reason for that. They aren’t “vampire books.” They are good books.
People love vampires and zombies, those genres will never die. Or at least I hope not.
I think it’s a genre that many may continue to decry as passé, but that won’t actually lose any popularity for a long time, if ever. Now, I don’t think anything will be as popular as TWILIGHT, for example. Anything similar will be seen as a rip-off and anything too different just probably won’t appeal to as wide a market. (Not passing any judgment over whether appeal to a wide market makes a book good…just makes it marketable.) But vampire stories will always be there.
Whatevs, Jen C! 🙂
Just when we think we have had just about enough, there comes up from behind, another, bigger wave for us to ride …or drown; you decide.
Everyone loves a wild fantasy ride.
I’d buy a book about corporate vampires if it has either “Wall Street” or “Main Street” in the subtitle!
I think they’re dead until someone puts a hot spin on them.
It’s only overdone when you’re bored, right?
Vampire novels are undead, although I just don’t get the whole vampire thing. I do not even care for Bram Stoker’s novel nor those by Anne Rice. Yes, I think America (include Canada in this) has not tired of the whole Vampire phenomenon. But why is this? I can not relate.
Time to hang garlic from evey rafter, from every door frame.
Without a choice other than ‘dead’ or ‘undead’, I voted ‘dead’, but here’s my caveat: I LOVE vampire stories, and my latest favorite is the HBO series, “True Blood.” I don’t think the public’s taste for vampire lit will ever fully die (Jeremy Robb was right on target); however, I wonder how much new stuff can take off currently. Currently there’s Twilight, L.J. Smith’s teen series The Vampire Diaries, which was re-published, and is being turned into a CW show, and we’ve got the Twilight movies and “True Blood.” How much room is there right now for new series? I don’t know. It may be time for completely new vampire series to hibernate, but I’m sure there’ll be a time for them to rise again. 🙂
Interesting to see only one mention of SciFi’s “Moonlight.” Or “Forever Knight”? How soon they forget… : )
If you think about it, it’s been about four years since the Historian. And there were a few years between that and Buffy…
I think we need at least a four year break. Lets move on to zombies, like the new “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” (which will either be an epic fail or an epic win).
No. They’re not dead.
But IMO the subject matter should be told from a completely new and original perspective.
Holy hell, I hope they’re over. It’s more than time.
other lisa-LOL! I loved that!
Personally, I like vampires every once in a while. I’m getting pretty tired of seeing them crowd every book shelf.
That said, I don’t think they are going anywhere any time soon.
7-iron said…
Whatevs, Jen C! 🙂
Already used it in a sentence today.
Colleague: Are you into the F1 racing?
Me: Not patichs.
Colleague: *blank stare*
Now they’ve done cutting their teeth on the whole blood thing, these babies can do anything…