I've been a huge paranormal fan for a few years. I went from never reading it, to reading primarily paranormal romance. For a while there it seemed like every time you turned around there was a new paraormal series popping up. I'm not complaining, because like I said, paranormal girl here, but I'm curious if the huge blast of paranormals has started to wear on readers.
Now I know vampires, shifters, demons and all those other things that go bump in the night have been around forever. They will continue to be around and people will continue to read them. Who doesn't like to step out of reality for a little while and imagine a vampires bite? The paranormal world is dangerous and sexy as hell, but after a while are you looking for something...different? That new creature we've never heard of. A world so unique it blows your mind. Or is that forbidden romance...those delicious beasts are just so much more fun than the typical Joes.
I'm a lover of both genres equally. I can devoure some paranormal just like the next girl. Most of my favorite series or authors write about vampires or shifters, but I still have that soft spot for contemporary that burns just as brightly as my love of paranormal.
So for you writers out there, do you read and write both genres? Read one and write the other?
Readers, is there theme in contemporary or creature in paranormal that you're seeing too much of?
26 comments:
I think it will always be a strong genre. But its popularity is on a slight downslide at the moment. It won't go down too far. I think the introduction over the last few years of Urban Fantasy has stolen a bit of wind from paranormal romance's sails, but fans of one, tend to be fans as well of the other, so its not much. Moot point really. I love both.
I think the genre is still as strong as ever, just that particular themes, like vampires, maybe fading a bit. Like Brindle said there is also competition from Urban Fantasy, but they share practically the same fan base. I read and write paranormal as well as contemporary and historical. My paranormals are by far my most popular.
Brindle,
Good point about UF. I never thought I would enjoy it, but have started reading it lately and absoultely love it!
Melissa,
Yeah I've been seeing less vampires too. I think it all rides in waves. In and back out again.
I also think paranormal romance is suffering from the YA paranormal storm. Particularly with vampires, the books out are now mostly YAs, and I think the generic paranormal romance lover is left wanting with a YA, and so abandons the flood of vampires books out there in the YA category. But on the whole, only a little. I don't think paranormal will ever fall into disfavor!
STILL GOING STRONG!!!!!!
Valerie
in Germany
an avid read and big fan of paranormals.
I can ONLY speak for myself here. As a reader, not a writer. I'm pretty much done with the vampires. They've run their course (for me). Shapeshifters are...iffy. There are a few authors that are still rockin' them. Lately, I've been leaning more toward the Urban Fantasy Romance genre--not to be confused with Urban Fantasy. UFR are fresh and exciting, much like the first time I picked up a Christine Feehan book. I get the same thrill with UFR.
I'm very picky with contemps, to be honest. Few authors write them the way I like. Right off hand I can't think of the last contemporary romance I actually read. *shrugs*
Brindle,
No I don't think it will ever fade either. There are a ton of YA paranormals out there, but they're hot. They're selling great too.
Valerie,
Yay!
Anne, isn't it funny that you write mostly contemp but read mostly paranormal? I find I'm like that too.
Night Huntress is Urban Fantasy *hint, hint*
LOL
It is funny! LOL I don't know if this qualifies as contemporary romance, but Maya Banks first Kelly series book was awesome. I think it's listed as Romantic Suspense, but it IS a contemporary setting and it IS romance. So...
Anne,
Yeah, I think romantic suspense is contemporary. I would consider it. I'll have to check her out. I've read another one of her books.
Night Huntress, is that the Frost book? I really want to check her stuff out!
Yep, is Frost. Love her!
These in particular: http://jeanienefrost.com/books/
Her site is sort of confusing. She has two seperat links. One says 'Night Huntress books' and the other says 'Night Huntress world books'. Er, huh?
YeS! The Night Huntress world is a spin off. All the Cat and Bones books that are out now, are all before the Night Huntress world books. Cat and Bones are in the other books, but they're night the actual Night Huntress books. Do the ones from the link you showed me first.
I agree that the genre is still strong, and that the vampires are a bit much now.
I suppose because there are only so many variations on a theme. Shifters can be a multitude of creatures. Vampires are just..well, vampires.
But that doesn't mean I don't love vampires. Of all paranormal---although they are maybe being overdone---they still are my favorite. Something so very sexy about them.
Love them both. Write them both. I believe paranormal's going to be around for a while.
Evie
I remember when the paranormal crazy began. It was in the early 90's and I had a hard time imagining that I'd like it. Never say never. After reading one, I was hooked. I actually thing there is a slight downturn because the market is flooded with them but I DO believe they will be around from now on. Historicals and contemps have always been mainstays but I consider paranormal a mainstay now. I both read and write paranormal but I definitely like to mix things up. Some days are just meant for reading historical. Sometimes I need a laugh. I'm just glad there is stuff out there for every mood.
Oops. Meant 'craze' there. LOL. I think Urban Fantasy Romance and paranormal go hand in hand. Yet UFR has a twist. I'm a little worn out on the vamps too, actually. I write shifters and still love them. Many themes are becoming overdone though.
Ooops. I tried leaving a comment yesterday and blogger wouldn't cooperate. lol Then I forgot. Sorry, Madison. So I'm baaaaack. lol
I think every genre goes through upward and downward spirals. As for vamps? I think the way they are everywhere on TV these days coupled with the whole Meyers phenomenon has caused them to go down for the time being too. But they'll be back.
As soon as someone puts a new spin on them? BAM...that's it.
I think contemporary is in an upward swing right now. That some niche markets are nose diving a bit. I do think that f/f will be the next genre to begin hitting. You'll see more and more of it in the coming months.
Overall, if you wait long enough, everything comes back into fashion, doesn't it? lol
C. Zampa,
Vampires are my favorite too!!
Evie,
I love them both too!
Regina, I think there is a slight downturn too. I started reading them like you did. Never thought I would be interested and then bam!
Tess,
I agree. I think contemp is starting to come around again. YOu're right, everything goes in and out.
It took me a while to get to reading paranormals. I was into horror and thrillers before reading the delights in ebooks. I must say, a whole new world was opened up, so I'm still loving those paranormals!
:o)
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