Vampires aren’t dead! (Um, well, I guess they are, technically, but…) Back to Blog
Posted in Romance on May 14th, 2007 by Cynthia Eden
Okay. This post isn’t about whether vampires are actually still living, breathing creatures. As far as I’m concerned, that “world” determination is actually up to individual writers.
No, instead, this post is about paranormal romances in general and some trends that I noticed while perusing my local bookstore (and I sure do love to peruse there!).
First, vampire popularity seems to be just as strong as it ever was. On several of my loops, I’ve read posts by folks who proclaim that the vampire’s reign is over. That people are tired of those blood-drinking wonders.
I’m going to have to disagree. A quick glance at the shelves showed wonderful new releases by Vivi Anna (Blood Secrets) and Kerrelyn Sparks (Be Still My Vampire Heart). I can’t wait to get my greedy hands on those and read รขโฌหem…because I still love the vampire.
And I know publishers are still buying vampire stories. I’ve sold two recently–one to Kensington Brava and one to Red Sage. I actually wrote the Red Sage novella first, and had such a great time that I had to write a full-length novel after that. Jeri-Smith Ready has what promises to be a great vampire series coming out from Pocket next year. So the fanged creature is definitely still popular with editors and publishers. (I suppose, as they say, it’s all in the execution!)
I also think that werewolves and shifters are riding a nice popularity high. As are witches (think Yasmine Galenorn or Christine Feehan).
What I haven’t seen lately are a lot of time travel romances–and this saddens me because I really like to read those books. At one time, I even had an outline for my own time travel. And maybe I will do that one…once I finish all my other projects!
So, what do you think? Are vampires dead? Are werewolves on the rise? What trends have you noticed in your local bookstore? Or, heck, what do you just want to see more of in terms of storyline?
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I hope vampires aren’t dead, because my CP, Liz Kreger, wants to write one for her next book. And I want her to sell! *g*
I don’t pay attention to trends. Maybe we could start a cat/people trend. Instead of werewolves they’d be werecats. You know we bloggers at MM are ready for that. LOL
I predict vampires are going to be a much tougher sell. They will sell because they’re proven, but the market is saturated so it will need to be really fresh or a new twist, not the same old stuff.
I also predict demons / psychic abilities will see a huge upswing in popularity in paranormals.
Best of luck to Liz! And I definitely think we should start a werecat trend. Sherrily Kenyon wrote a novella about a similar Were a while back and I absolutely loved it!
Hi, Annie! I certainly hope you’re right about the demons and psychic abilities mark–demons and psychics are featuring heavily in my Brava stories!
And I think you’re right about the vampires–the sales now do need to feature good twists.
I have to admit that vampires don’t really do it for me, but I’m hoping you and Liz can change my mind on that ;).
I have a time travel historical romance written. It isn’t a ‘usual’ time travel, because there is no back and forth, the heroine lands in the 19th century to stay, but I loved having a modern heroine and a 19th century hero :).
Michelle, your story has to be loaded with great conflict–your heroine must have quite the time adjusting to her new life. Now you’ve got me interested and I want to read it! ๐
Well, I hope one day that will be possible ๐ .
I want more werewolf stories… better yet, I’d love to read more of your werewolf stories ๐
Things are finally starting to settle after RT, and I just stopped by to say that it was great getting a chance to meet you!
I hope so, too, Michelle! I’d love to read that story.
Congrats on your vampire sales. I read about it over on Kate’s blog. That’s a great feeling, although it looks like you were already widely published. Still, every new one feels wonderful.
Hi, Charles! Thanks so much for the congrats–and you’re right, every sale sure is wonderful!