Thread: Vampires are beaten to death now, aren't they?

Okay, if you've taken a recent trip to a bookstore in the past couple of years you've probably noticed that at least a quarter of all books in either the teen or fantasy/scifi section seem to feature vampires. More specifically, the brooding romantic anti-hero.
My problem is, I've been writing a story featuring vampire characters for the past couple of years. I wouldn't say it is a typical story, the vampire isn't the main character for the most part and he's a french lawyer, but still the vampires are in there. For that matter, I'm writing about werewolves and werebears in the same story like many vampire books now.

Even if my book had enough distinguishing differences from the market (elves and dragons as main characters, vampires as supporting cast members), is it really enough to bring attention to it from my target audience (which is a teen/young adult audience) and not have it come across as just another vampire novel? I'm worried by the time I actually finish, edit, and publish my book there will be no more of a market vampire characters or my book will be overshadowed by the glut of vampire novels already out.

Any ideas for how I can rise above the crowd?

I can put it in this way for you: in the Harry Potter universe, there are vampires. A friend told me this, and I did my research and sure enough, there are vampires in it. You wouldn't even notice, if you read the books, because they are barely mentioned. The focus is on the main species/supernatural aspect: magic.

As long as your focus is on the elves and the dragons, and the vampires really are only a minor part of the universe you are creating, the book (if published) won't be advertised as 'SUPERNATURAL BOOK WITH VAMPIRES', and it won't be read as a vampire book.

To answer your original question though... Yes, they are.

What about blood-sucking elves? Has that been done?

Originally Posted by JosephB

What about blood-sucking elves? Has that been done?

Yes, I think so. You could pass with saying the big blind monster that enjoyed eating children in Pan's Labyrinth is a fairy. Didn't it have pointed ears?

Could be. I never saw Pan's Labyrinth.

But I like that bit in the OP about the vampire being a French lawyer. The lawyer part certainly makes sense.

Originally Posted by JosephB

Could be. I never saw Pan's Labyrinth.

But I like that bit in the OP about the vampire being a French lawyer. The lawyer part certainly makes sense.

I wonder if all the lawyers in his universe are vampires, or demons, or bloodsucking elves?

Beaten to death? I though you had to stake 'em in the heart...


No, it is still possible to write a good vampire story that will sell. Completely possible.

And if elves and dragons are the MCs, then it is not a vampire novel, and it will likely not be marketed as a vampire novel. Though I have to say, elves and dragons have been around the block a few times, themselves.

They should have their own vampire section at the bookstore. They do at my library. Makes it easier to avoid things you don't want to read.

It's all in how you write it. It probably won't be marketed as 'vampire' fiction, but will probably be lumped in with other fantasy YA books, which typically have elves, magic and vampires in them.

I see, so if I focus on the other parts of the book and just allow the vampires to be background pieces, I may be okay? I'd rather be accused of having smoking, jazz playing elves than having just another vampire book.
My other problem is that in a later book I plan to have a vampire/mortal romance. I mean, the 'vampire' is half vampire and half elven, the mortal is a werewolf. I mean, it's subverted in that first of all it's a vampire and werewolf romance and that the two in the relationship are gay but since this half vamp/elf guy is a later main character....This may be a problem if this is released in the next five years, isn't it?
(Half elven/vamp boy is the previously mentioned french lawyer's son if you're wondering)

As was previously mentioned a few times, as long as it's not advertised as a vampire novel it will not be perceived as one. I would suggest if you are worried, the hybrid character's history and species is focused - at first - on the elven part of him. If later you wish to add more to the story, it could be considered a 'treat' for him to look further into his vampire history, and for the readers to discover more about the mysterious vampire race of this novel.

Don't worry, I'm sure it will work out fine.

Any ideas for how I can rise above the crowd?

If it's a strong story and the writing is good, above the level of "cliche". I've read lots of books in different genres, but I still remember the really good ones, no matter how many others I've read in that same genre.

It is very sad that vampires have become rather hackneyed lately, because they are such intriguing beasties in myth and legend. I, too, have a vampire novel languishing on my hard drive, which I don't think will get published in this slew of vampire novels. Even if I finished it tomorrow and submitted it right away, AND it got picked up, by the time it would be published, the vampire craze will probably have diminished. They're super popular right now. You can try riding the wave.

Maybe it's just me but ... vampire ... lawyer ... isn't that a bit redundant?

Yeah, a little redundant. And I belive he's a white collar lawyer as well. I can only imagine his son being reluctant to tell people his father is a lawyer..
"My dad works in a morgue! Hey, Seth, where does your father work?"
"Uh........He uh...works..."
"As what? Come on, it can't be that bad!"
"He's a...lawyer..."
*snort*