Thread: Looking for some opinions on book concept

So I know the world of books has been flooded with people writing books on vampires. I myself have been fascinated with vampires since I was small.

The books I am planning to write involve vampires as a common type of creature, but include a number of others inside the world beneath ours. Some of the creatures are but not restricted to are: Faeries, elves, gnomes, werewolves, angels, demons, vampires, wizards, witches, goblins, trolls, giants, dragons, mermaids, centaurs, minotaurs, banshees, among others.

I know that there have been a number of posts with concerns with having vampires share in the spotlight of their works, and like them I am concerned. I am pouring hours of work into the first of what I hope to be many books set in the world I am creating, and I am just worried that there might be little to no hope to get my work published. So I am looking for feedback about my book's world and hopefully a few encouraging words.

Some aspects of the world that might help with peoples' thought process on this are:
1. The vampires are either born a vampire or created
2. There are a number of vampire clans with unique characteristics
3. There are even a number of subspecies of vampires that breaks down into different types of vampires
4. There are several primary groups that either are with the creatures or against them
5. Magic is everywhere it is just most people don't notice it
6. My vampires don't sparkle lol (had to throw that one in)

Thank you for reading the post and any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you once again and have a pleasant day.

-William

It's not all that different from any of the other works out there that include vampires. I could cite Morrowind and the Dresden Files as examples of different vampire groups or clans.

You've got a standard closed world urban fantasy as far as people's awareness of the supernatural.

You've only really given a general idea of your world, so there's not much else I can say, except that it's not the ideas you use, it's how you present them that really matters.

Is the world in which these stories take place our world or another world? What level of technology does it have? Is it modern, classical, or medieval, for instance?

Are any of the MCs vampires?

Is there a focus on vampires, or do all the different creatures get about equal treatment?

What vampire and/or urban fantasy books have you read? What about horror?

Yeah thanks for your quick response. I see how I was vague there. It is set present time in our world with one underneath. The current book focuses on the main character Rowen Whelan who is a guardian of the Crimson Shield. They are a organization that police the supernatural world. He finds some interesting news articles and heads to a small town in Main, USA. There he finds several threats to the townsfolk and a interesting girl. He has to save the townspeople and uphold the rules of the Guard or risk his own life. Their main rule (of course) is if a human finds out they are to be killed immediately.

He is the adopted son of an Irish clan of vampires who was awoken from a tomb over 60 years ago by the youngest child of the family Nicole. Technology is about the same but the supernatural world has used their "advantages" to enhance some of our "human tech". Other books that followed would have either reoccurring main characters or use new types of creatures. I do plan to have them visit a few of the different types of creatures as the book goes on.

How much urban fantasy have you read?

To be honest not that much. I have had a hectic past couple of years so I have had very little time to read outside of class and work. I usually stick to the books from series I know are good, due primarily to the fact I am one of those readers that must finish a book once read. I have read a lot of Dragonlance, LOTR, Twilight series, Blood and Chocolate, Night World books, Night light (funny spoof on Twilight), and currently reading Naomi Novik's In His Majesty's Service. The next book is going to be probably the Dresden files, but I am always up for book recommendations. The people I know are more of the gaming variety and the books they have suggested were rather bleh in my mind. I know I have lots more to read. Before I actually had the mentality that reading to many books in the genre you are trying to work in makes you more inclined to borrow from others, though now I know that to be the opposite and if anything has hurt my work. What do you suggest for a good book?

I almost can't say this, but you should look into Anne Rice's Vampire series, and also the early Anita Blake books by Laurell K. Hamilton. They're both popular, and reasonable examples of how vampires are currently portrayed in Urban fantasy.

Also, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews Jeaneine Frost, and Charlaine Harris.

I haven't read a lot of UF or PR lately myself. Let me dig around a bit, and I'll have more recs.

Thank you for the recommendations I will hit Amazon right now.

Hot on the tail of such as Rice's wildly popular vampire books cum movies there has been an incredible glut of vampire this and that on film and television. Unless you are near the end zone on this work, the wave will probably have reached its zenith and rolled back to flatline. HOWEVER, a great deal of how well a book may be received either by agent, publisher, or reader depends largely on how well and imaginatively it is written. That being said, even if the general heat over vampirism has cooled by the time you are ready to market your work, having been a vampire fanatic since childhood, you know there are likely many folks who will always have a bloodthirst for vampire stories. Beyond that, it all depends on you and how well you can manifest the images rolling around in your head.

To add to the list of books/ shows. True Blood had everything you just named. I love the mystical world (scary but possibly true world) of vampires, ect. ONE MAIN thing is, and mind you, I haven't read many of the other books. But I would place the time in the middle ages maybe. Or some time other than now. This will change your story and the over all feel of the theme greatly. Doing this, will eliminate the usual modern day talk, language, clothes , wepaons and story line that we are so familiar with. (Maybe your goal is to write a modern day one and thats fine) By changing the time period you add things like, castles, swords, knights, Kings whom are Vampires. Wizards(if u choose) and many other things that we cannot directly relate to, which allows you to play with our imagination more.

I know I talk for ever so sry. lol. Hope I helped a little.

First thank you everyone for your input I really appreciate it.

I was working on things and felt I could update the post with a little more detail. With the medieval setting my "story world" contains a hybrid of ancient times and modern. "Our" world was most likely going to be your average modern day setting but the world underneath was going to be still closely linked with the olds days. I felt it worked well with the idea of "immortals" that if they grew up in lets say the 12th century it might be hard to shake off what they know or at least carry some things into the present. The Crimson Guard uses many weapons like swords and such and have a medieval attitude to judge, jury, and executioner. I also was working with the idea of large towns of sorts under ground. Magic is alive and strong in the world so moving the earth and making a artificial sun seemed easier for the older inhabitants. The main characters that were just average humans will be thrown into these places at times. Vampires aren't the focus but one of the upper class citizens of the world we don't see.

The idea of a medieval time seems intriguing though and I will consider it. It would be fun to write.

Currently I am working on two other stories in the story world (working titles included):
Pledge of the Dragon - young man is out with his childhood friend catching a movie when they are assaulted by a mugger. During the encounter the young man unleashes the dormant blood of a dragon. After his awakening he discovers his family isn't his family and that now he is the target of rival clans. He has to protect not only himself but his childhood friend.

Heart of the Fey - young writer stumbles across the world of the Fey after becoming lost in the wilderness while back packing in Europe. He meets the kind princess of the Fey, a forbidden love results in a civil war of the ancient forest where they live.

I've read quite a few vampire novels so I thought I'd offer my opinion on this.

There are similar themes in the Dresden files by Jim Butcher. Although the series is written from Harry's perspective(wizard), you could find inspiration there especially in the types of vampires he portrays (Some feed on blood, others on emotions like lust and anger).

I would also recommend Salems Lot by Stephen King and the Anne Rice vampire novels (Interview with a vampire, etc.)