Over the last couple of years I have had the opportunity to discuss the evolution of Vampire s in literature on panels at many different conventions. This past week I read a blog post about the end of vampires in literature. The author of the blog’s reasoning was because the market was super saturated with vampire novels, television shows and movies. The blog’s author wasn’t wrong, but he wasn’t right either. For the first time vampire are a hot topic where one can go almost anywhere and find the vampire’s influence on society.
Some believe the vampire is on the way out, leaving a vacuum for zombies, fairies and angels to fill. I do not believe that to be the case. Vampires have opened the doors to allow creative minds to write about other supernatural creatures, bringing them into mainstream imagination. Vampires are not leaving mainstream either, but have integrated into it.
Vampires no longer belong to the horror genre. They have become their own genre with its own sub-genres. The vampire has become more than a putrid animated corpse bent on feeding its insatiable hunger for human blood. Vampires have regained their humanity and all the insanity that comes with being human.
It is this return to humanity that alls authors to explore aspects of the human condition with a creature that was once human. From the romantic to the tragic; from the psychotic to the benevolent; from the irreverent to the spiritual, we see vampires playing the roles that mortals used to play.
What difference does it make to have a vampire, rather than a mortal, play the roles of protagonist or antagonist? Very simply it is the ability to study and hypothesize how certain life experiences over a prolonged period of time would impact someone excessively long lived. In other words, the author can go to the heights or to the depths of those human behaviours. It also allows the author to create a wish fulfillment fantasy of what our society demands: physical beauty (commonly found in the young) and longevity – something that can rarely occur together because of what our current notions of what is beautiful. It also allows for the author to study the descent into darkness one can travel, how one loses their humanity while not being human. In other words, to do so at a safe, imaginary, distance, rather than thinking of the real life human beings who are monsters. The flipside is to bring about redemption for even the worst; how hope can transcend the darkness.
If these sound like any other type of books, you’re not wrong. The vampire can be found in every genre now, from Romance to Horror.
If vampires are found to be every type of protagonist to any type of antagonist, what does this mean for the future of vampires? In some cases we’ll see them as not only “other” but also alien. In others, full integration. Vampires are not going away. They are here to stay, and are finding their way into every genre possible. There is no limit to where the vampire is going. It’s all in the imagination of the author. Since imagination is boundless, the vampire IS immortal.
Cheers!
Karen Dales
Award Winning Author
"The Chosen Chronicles" are now $.99 for each eBook.
(also available in Trade Paperback)
Amazon/Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Karen-Dales/e/B004TG6U1Y/
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/karen-dales
Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/KarenDales.
Order of The Chosen Chronicles:
Changeling: Prelude to The Chosen Chronicles
Angel of Death: Book One of The Chosen Chronicles
Shadow of Death: Book Two of The Chosen Chronicles
(Soon To Be Released - Thanatos: Book Three of The Chosen Chronicles)
Keep up to date with me and my writing on:
Website – http://karendales.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KarenDalesAuthor
Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/karendales
Paranormal & Dark Fantasy Writers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/275723322475302/
Kelley Armstrong, #1 New York Times Best Selling Author says of Shadow of Death, "... dark...compelling ...that will keep readers turning the pages well past bedtime."
Award Winning Author
- Karen Dales
- Karen Dales is the Award Winning Author of "The Chosen Chronicles" which include "Changeling: Prelude to the Chosen Chronicles," "Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen Chronicles," and "Shadow of Death: Book Two of the Chosen Chronicles." She is currently at work on "Thanatos: Book Three of the Chosen Chronicles" and a Historical Romance set in Edo Japan.
Showing posts with label vampire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vampire. Show all posts
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thursday, December 1, 2011
How Twilight Changed My Life
Don’t look so shocked.
Oh, and close your mouth, you’ll catch flies.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I will, firstly, admit that I am not a fan of the series, but I have come to respect the impact it has had on readers and the vampire and paranormal genres.
When my first two Vampire novels, “Changeling” and “Angel of Death,” came out in a limited edition volume in 2009 “Twilight” had already been in the theaters and was heading towards DVD/BlueRay release. My adult Vampire series, “The Chosen Chronicles,” hit the cresting wave of paranormal romance and vampire fiction.
My husband believed it was kismet. My publisher believed it fortuitous.
I was dropped in a quagmire of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
Since I found myself to be placed on Vampire panels with very well known Vampire authors, some of them New York Times Best Selling authors, at different conventions, I discovered how much of an impact “Twilight” had. I was also expected to have an opinion on the matter, too. (Oh, no I’ve never been on a panel discussion with Ms. Meyer.)
At first, “Twilight” dominated many of these panels. Vampire and paranormal fiction fans would always ask “Are your books like ‘Twilight?’”
When I was first asked this, I was stunned. How was I to compare my books to Ms. Meyer’s? I didn’t know how to answer. I’d hum and haw until they’d become direct.
“Do your Vampires sparkle?”
“No, “ I’d reply.
A smile would appear from the individual, usually accompanied by a positive response.
Spurred on, I’d continue, “My Vampires bite.”
The smile would widen. They’d buy my books.
Initially, I was surprised at the huge love/hate polarization vampire and paranormal fans held for “Twilight.” I’m sorry to say that I fell, for a time, on the hate side of the line.
Time continued, I was a guest at more conventions, speaking to more fans of the genre. It wasn’t until the summer before my book “Shadow of Death” came out that I started experiencing a shift of thought and feeing towards the “Twilight” franchise.
This came about as an increasing number of young women, who grew up on “Twilight,” wanted something more. They wanted something adult they could sink their teeth into. They wanted to read more vampire/paranormal fiction, but geared to the adults they were quickly becoming. Many found my series, “The Chosen Chronicles.”
I’ve never loved the “Twilight” series, and yes, I’ve read all four books, but now I have a healthy respect for it. What J.K. Rowling did with “Harry Potter” by reviving fantasy fiction through the introduction of something new and directed at young minds, Stephanie Meyer’s did for the Vampire and paranormal genres. She created a new fan base, introducing new readers to a revived genre, and allowed Vampire and paranormal authors, such as myself, an opportunity for success. If it weren’t for “Twilight,” many of us would never have been published.
For these reasons “Twilight” changed my life.
Thank you, Ms. Meyer.
For more information of Karen Dales’ Award Winning Vampire series “The Chosen Chronicles” please check out http://karendales.com
“The Chosen Chronicles” is now $.99 each on Amazon Kindle.
“Changeling”
“Angel of Death”
“Shadow of Death”
“Dark…compelling …that will keep readers turning the pages well past bedtime."
- Kelley Armstrong, New York Times Best Selling Author.
“A dark and gripping tale by a true mistress of supernatural fiction. Karen Dales brings fresh blood to the vampire genre.” —Michelle Rowen, National Best Selling Author
Oh, and close your mouth, you’ll catch flies.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I will, firstly, admit that I am not a fan of the series, but I have come to respect the impact it has had on readers and the vampire and paranormal genres.
When my first two Vampire novels, “Changeling” and “Angel of Death,” came out in a limited edition volume in 2009 “Twilight” had already been in the theaters and was heading towards DVD/BlueRay release. My adult Vampire series, “The Chosen Chronicles,” hit the cresting wave of paranormal romance and vampire fiction.
My husband believed it was kismet. My publisher believed it fortuitous.
I was dropped in a quagmire of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
Since I found myself to be placed on Vampire panels with very well known Vampire authors, some of them New York Times Best Selling authors, at different conventions, I discovered how much of an impact “Twilight” had. I was also expected to have an opinion on the matter, too. (Oh, no I’ve never been on a panel discussion with Ms. Meyer.)
At first, “Twilight” dominated many of these panels. Vampire and paranormal fiction fans would always ask “Are your books like ‘Twilight?’”
When I was first asked this, I was stunned. How was I to compare my books to Ms. Meyer’s? I didn’t know how to answer. I’d hum and haw until they’d become direct.
“Do your Vampires sparkle?”
“No, “ I’d reply.
A smile would appear from the individual, usually accompanied by a positive response.
Spurred on, I’d continue, “My Vampires bite.”
The smile would widen. They’d buy my books.
Initially, I was surprised at the huge love/hate polarization vampire and paranormal fans held for “Twilight.” I’m sorry to say that I fell, for a time, on the hate side of the line.
Time continued, I was a guest at more conventions, speaking to more fans of the genre. It wasn’t until the summer before my book “Shadow of Death” came out that I started experiencing a shift of thought and feeing towards the “Twilight” franchise.
This came about as an increasing number of young women, who grew up on “Twilight,” wanted something more. They wanted something adult they could sink their teeth into. They wanted to read more vampire/paranormal fiction, but geared to the adults they were quickly becoming. Many found my series, “The Chosen Chronicles.”
I’ve never loved the “Twilight” series, and yes, I’ve read all four books, but now I have a healthy respect for it. What J.K. Rowling did with “Harry Potter” by reviving fantasy fiction through the introduction of something new and directed at young minds, Stephanie Meyer’s did for the Vampire and paranormal genres. She created a new fan base, introducing new readers to a revived genre, and allowed Vampire and paranormal authors, such as myself, an opportunity for success. If it weren’t for “Twilight,” many of us would never have been published.
For these reasons “Twilight” changed my life.
Thank you, Ms. Meyer.
For more information of Karen Dales’ Award Winning Vampire series “The Chosen Chronicles” please check out http://karendales.com
“The Chosen Chronicles” is now $.99 each on Amazon Kindle.
“Changeling”
“Angel of Death”
“Shadow of Death”
“Dark…compelling …that will keep readers turning the pages well past bedtime."
- Kelley Armstrong, New York Times Best Selling Author.
“A dark and gripping tale by a true mistress of supernatural fiction. Karen Dales brings fresh blood to the vampire genre.” —Michelle Rowen, National Best Selling Author
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen
It's been a very long time coming, but my debut novel "Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen" will be released this Summer in both Trade Paperback and Hardcover. I am thrilled and excited to see what will happen.
In the process of it's development towards the printed and bound version that will hit Indigo and Chapters (in Canada), Barnes and Noble and Boarders (in the USA) and Amazon worldwide, I plan on taking the time to get the word out and really make an effort.
One of the things I have learned from other published authors is that what will determine if a novel will sink or swim is the author's ability to market him/herself. I plan on doing just that and to start early.
I encourage everyone to check out my website:
http://thechosenchronicles.com
Take a look around. Read what I have posted so far and feel free to comment.
Here is the back synopsis for "Angel of Death"
The Vampires of London are being murdered and only
the Angel of Death can save them.
When Father Paul Notus, is captured and threatened with a gruesome death by the Mistress of London and her vampires, the Angel is forced into a dark world of murder and deception to discover who is killing the Vampires of Britain.
Forced into a partnership with the Noble Fernando de Sagres, a vampire of sadistic tastes, and joined by the beautiful and mortal Jeanie Stuart, the Angel must seek out who is behind these killings.
Plagued by demons from his past and his increasing affections for Jeanie, the Angel walks a fine line between his heart and his fears. He discovers the culprits but at a high cost – the irrevocable discovery of what he truly is and the Destruction of one he loves.
In the process of it's development towards the printed and bound version that will hit Indigo and Chapters (in Canada), Barnes and Noble and Boarders (in the USA) and Amazon worldwide, I plan on taking the time to get the word out and really make an effort.
One of the things I have learned from other published authors is that what will determine if a novel will sink or swim is the author's ability to market him/herself. I plan on doing just that and to start early.
I encourage everyone to check out my website:
http://thechosenchronicles.com
Take a look around. Read what I have posted so far and feel free to comment.
Here is the back synopsis for "Angel of Death"
The Vampires of London are being murdered and only
the Angel of Death can save them.
When Father Paul Notus, is captured and threatened with a gruesome death by the Mistress of London and her vampires, the Angel is forced into a dark world of murder and deception to discover who is killing the Vampires of Britain.
Forced into a partnership with the Noble Fernando de Sagres, a vampire of sadistic tastes, and joined by the beautiful and mortal Jeanie Stuart, the Angel must seek out who is behind these killings.
Plagued by demons from his past and his increasing affections for Jeanie, the Angel walks a fine line between his heart and his fears. He discovers the culprits but at a high cost – the irrevocable discovery of what he truly is and the Destruction of one he loves.
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