The Book Shelf discussion

I want everyone's thought on this topic, especially those who write about vampires. Would you consider "vampire" a branch of fantasy, or can you have vampires in a story that isn't a fantasy? Thoughts please!

I would consider most vampire-type stories to be paranormal.

Paranormal! Thank you :)

George Orwell said that Dracula was absurd, and therefore horribly popular. I say that it is definitely the worst thing that I have ever had the misfortune to run across. I'd call it junk, definitely a horror.

Genres are perfectly subjective. Margaret Atwood can say that she is not a science fiction writer, and survive.

Steampunk. If you call it science fiction, you will find yourself in a world of hurt.

Recently the publishing world has created its own definition of the word "paranormal". It used to mean things like telepathy, clairvoyance, ghosts, etc.

Vampires, werewolves, demons, etc. would more accurately be called "supernatural" or "mythical" beings.

Genres are a way for publishers, libraries and bookstores to classify things. Anything that doesn't fit into a genre gets dumped in the trash. The beauty of self-publishing is that works that aren't neatly classified or which cross genres are now available.

Look up Darcy Chan for an example.

There are readers who read mostly vampire books and little else, so I thought it would be great for the vampire books to be in one-stop-shop location for them. It felt weird just calling it "vampire" :) lol

If you want my take on vampires you should read my review of Going Green by Christina McMullen. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ken wrote: "If you want my take on vampires you should read my review of Going Green by Christina McMullen. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

So, Ken, would you classify the vampire drama as juvenile?

For me it is. For others it might be Young Adult. I've never read Steampunk, but it looks interesting and as soon as I finish editing my current work in progress, I'm going to give it a try, starting with The Earl of Brass by Kara Jorgensen. I already bought the book.

I'll bring romance into the mix - must end in a happily ever after or happily for now. And it can include fantasy, paranormal, suspense, historical, young adult, new adult, steampunk... you name it.

Abigail wrote: "I'll bring romance into the mix - must end in a happily ever after or happily for now. And it can include fantasy, paranormal, suspense, historical, young adult, new adult, steampunk... you name it."


That's exactly what I was thinking and I kind of want to offer that "Vampire genre" to the shelves.

Back in the early 90's I was on a "Must read every vampire book in existence" phase that lasted two years. I will admit, it was HARD finding vampire books. Anne Rice and Dracula were give-aways, but the search quickly dried up.

I remember one book that still breaks my heart. I LOVE this book and wish I could remember what it was called or the author.

It was about a woman in the 8th century who was turned to vampire. She grew up being abused in a dreadful time period where law wasn't enforced. She fell in love, married, he died, she went assassin, then was turned into a vampire. It was a 600 page novel that followed her right up to the 20th century. It was stunning.

I'm off topic. My point is, I'm sure there are those who simply want to read "about vampires" no matter the genre.

Ken, isn't Going Green about Zombies though? At least according to your review it is.

As for the original question, I would consider Vampires in the Urban Fantasy/Contemporary Fantasy genre. When it's a love story, it becomes Paranormal Romance. Big bad vampire story should be Horror.

They can fit in about any genre depending in what kind of story they are. I classified mine in the Science Fiction, because although most main characters are vampires, the protagonist is an alien from another planet.

Angela, that book sounds fascinating.

Abigail wrote: "Angela, that book sounds fascinating."

It was! I have no idea who wrote it or the title :( I think it's out of print *cries* It was a "vampire" book, but the author used that more as an excuse to cover the "why she was immortal" bit.

G.G. wrote: "Ken, isn't Going Green about Zombies though? At least according to your review it is.

As for the original question, I would consider Vampires in the Urban Fantasy/Contemporary Fantasy genre. When ..."

It is about zombies, but it's told with humor, and from what, to me, was a fresh perspective on zombie-dom. (zombie-dom?) I had seen the authors comments on Goodreads, and she seemed witty and funny, and her book was free--in Amazon's lending library for Prime Members. I did enjoy the book, but I'm really a hard sci-fi fan.

Ken wrote: "G.G. wrote: "Ken, isn't Going Green about Zombies though? At least according to your review it is.

As for the original question, I would consider Vampires in the Urban Fantasy/Contemporary Fantasy..."

"zombie-dom" Let me know if you need a shelf for that ;)

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...

Ken wrote: "https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=..."

lol... I have the Bruce Campbell meets Marvel comics meets zombies collection. lol... what fun!

Noir thriller is chillaxing or seems to be.

"War is evil, but it is often the lesser evil."
George Orwell

"War is organised murder, and nothing else."
Harry Patch