A friend of mine is considering a Quaker vampire story.

The whole thread got kicked off because I was challenged to write a vampire story that requires a Christian perspective. Hoo!

If you haven't seen it already, Eric Wilson has a Christian vampire novel coming out in October with Thomas Nelson. Not sure on the romance part, but Christian Vampire novel as a genre is now official!

readdB.com

How about Bruce Hennigan's new Christian vampire novel, "The 12th Demon: Vampyre Majick"? It even has the romance element: steelchronicles.com

John Olson has a Christian "vampire" novel called SHADE releasing in October, and it's a winner!

Thanks for all the recommendations, everyone! I'll keep an eye out. Looks like most of these are coming out around Halloween (very appropriate); once I've read them, perhaps I'll do a roundup.

First off, so very nice to be mentioned in a blog about Christian vampire fantasy. But I must emphasize that it's important to distinguish. There is the CBA Christian market, which Wilson and Olson, both listed above, belong to and the general Christian market, who I write for.

Stephanie Meyer doesn't write for the CBA Christian market (but she is a Latter Day Saint) that I know of and certainly doesn't have a CBA publisher.

Why is it important to make the distinction? Because CBA Christian ficton has become synonomous with Christian fiction and no two markets could be more different.

CBA Christian fiction serves a core market of conservative evangelicals and doen't allow their affiliated authors (you have to pay big bucks to be affiliated) to write about anything having to do with the occult or halloween etc . . . As an example of this, John Olson's book, published by a CBA affiliated publisher, is being advertised at the first vampireless vampire book. (remember CBA authors can't write about things that stand to stir up their core market.) That kind of advertising might not be so successful in the general Christian market but it might do all right in the CBA Christian market. Eric Wilson is also with a CBA Christian publisher and hopes to get a little more down and dirty with his new novel--but of course, within the confides of the conventions set up by CBA and ECPA to protect their core audience. He writes for Thomas Nelson one of the biggest CBA affiliated publishers. And writes quite well, I might add.

Oddly enough, I'm just a Christian author who happened to attract a LOT of CBA readers. I suppose because I wrote a story, that doesn't compromise their faith. Well that's grand! I'm happy to oblige. But I'm not CBA affiliated and don't intentionally write for that market. They're too conservative for my taste. But I'm sure that's just me. :)

It would be nice if more people would be specific when talking about Christian fiction. It's incredibly important. You have Christian fiction written for the general Christian market, the market I write for :) and CBA Christian fiction written for the CBA Christian market which is geared toward conservative evangelicals.

People find on searches for Christian fiction because I state my faith in many of my interviews and blogs. How interesting to see that I now show up on many links and what not associated with CBA and ECPA, two gatekeeper affiliations geared toward protecting their core market.

BTW, because I don't write for that market and don't have an affiliated publisher, you won't find my work in Christian bookstores which are in fact CBA Christian bookstores as CBA Christian bookstores primarily only stock books published by CBA and ECPA affiliated authors. They do sometimes put books on their shelves written by non-affiliated authors but only after the promised sales are to big to ignore.

If by chance you ever see my books in a Christian bookstore just know it will be because I'm doing really well selling everywhere else not specifically because I'm an author who is a Christian. :)

Other than that, the official relesse date to the sequel of my Bram Stoker Short-listed Never Ceese will be announced September 1st! Be sure to watch www.foreverrichard.com to find out more.

Also it's been said that my book pushes the boundries of Christian fiction. IT DOES NOT! It only pushes the boundries of CBA Christian fiction, a market I don't write for specifically. The general Christian market is quite used to seeing work like mine. Dracula is a fine example of a general Christian market book. It was written from a catholic worldview.

I find this sooo interesting. I'm a closet fan of Buffy and Angel (the TV shows) who finds the spiritual themes so meaningful in a Christian way (other themes in the show--um, not so much). I know the shows are not from a Christian POV (and anyone wading in for the first time--beware!), but I have seen themes dealt with that have affirmed my faith and encouraged me to see life as spiritual, when sometimes regular life in American just doesn't. I think this EXPLOSION of fantasy/sci-fi books, TV, comics touches on a hunger out there. In a PC world, Christians have had to walk on eggshells for so long. What better way to reach that spiritual hunger with a great message. Keep an open mind, people. You just never know what God will use to reach us!

Sue: Thanks for that tremendously helpful comment! That's a market I know next to nothing about, so it's great to get some information from an insider.

I have learned from experience that God can use a book, so long as it glorifies Him and doesn't twist the Scriptures, He can use it. However, the Christian publishing can be picky. Yet, Science fiction and fantasy are being written and published.

I think the reason why they steer clear of Vampire, Werewolves, any Magical creature, except Dragons, is because the images of Werewolves and Vampires are often connected to the Occult.

I think that a Vampire can be written that glorifies God, though it may be a long day in Winter before a quote, unquote Traditional Christian publisher will ever touch it.

But it all boils down to one simple truth: if you please God, what does it matter that your book is not embraced by the Big Wig Christian groups. Release your book to audiences that will.

I think the next best thing was just done. There is a book on the internet titled THEY ALSO LIVED which are short Christian stories featuring gangsters, nurses, loan sharks, cops, hit men, Nazi generals, arsonists, prize fighters, alcoholics, adultersses, etc. This is the beginning of Christian pulp fiction.

WOW! Just what I was looking for. I googled "Christian Vampire" because I feel that the Lord has given me a story idea in that same vein. I am a Christian who LOVES fantasy fiction (Lord of the rings, Buffy, Angel, Eragon etc) as well as romance and longed for a christan novel like that. I pitched my story idea to my husband and he smiled and said, "sounds like a great book but I don't know if the CHRISTIAN world is ready for it". I have a 10 year old daughter who LOVES Twilight and romance of course and thought why not write a book that highlights redemption and eternal life and love in a christian manner. I would much rather my daughter read that sort of story than Twilight or another young fantasy reader alternative story.

I believe Christian Vampire novels are a great idea, they are intriguing and open all new possibilites into the views held by many. The other fantasy books about Christianity out there are the most spiritual books I have ever read, they make you think deep and look inside yourself for new meaning.

I believe Christian Vampire novels are a great idea, they are intriguing and open all new possibilites into the views held by many. The other fantasy books about Christianity out there are the most spiritual books I have ever read, they make you think deep and look inside yourself for new meaning.

Are you kidding, you call yourself a Christian and you read and let your children read books on vampires, demons, angels, werewolves? These are not fiction, these are real, and the more you open yourself up to witchcraft and the things of the occult and evil the more demon possessed you become and your children. Burn these wicked books and repent, read your bible especially the parts about what happens to those who practice witchcraft.

Are you kidding, you call yourself a Christian and you read and let your children read books on vampires, demons, angels, werewolves? These are not fiction, these are real, and the more you open yourself up to witchcraft and the things of the occult and evil the more demon possessed you become and your children. Burn these wicked books and repent, read your bible especially the parts about what happens to those who practice witchcraft.

I love the look and atmosphere of Gothic romance - the rich colours, gorgeous historical costumes and sets... many vampire stories use this approach.

I am working on a Christian Twilight for pre-teens.It is about the most devoted Christians in Sunshine Valley turning into vampires over night.The main character is a girl named Ellen,age 12,and she falls in love with two guys actually,one a devoted Christian whom tries to save her from the mysterious "curse" the other an ex-Christian turn Atheist whom loves her.It is an odd story.Ever since Stephanie Meyer Twilight Saga became popular,I noticed that there's an oppurtunity to open pre-teens,teens,and adults eyes to the real world,to let them see that demons are real,and Christ can save them.

"But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 1Timothy 3:13-15 NKJV

I realize that the temptation to enjoy what the world has to offer is strong and we all often fall for its pleasures, but my brothers and sisters in Christ, please do not be fooled by lies.

Vampires belong to the religion of the occult. Twisting the Holy Scriptures to give something a "Christian" cast so that we Christians can feel better for enjoying them is dangerous and foolish!

I pray that each of you surrender your hearts and yourselves to the One who brought you out of the world to call you His own. Please study the scriptures and obey God's word.

I loved those type of books as well and I understand the appeal. I urge each one of you to please lay down the desire to read and write to other brothers and sisters and those who are lost things that are NOT of God and to misrepresent the precious and Holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And with all that said above this comment that is implying that we, those of us who enjoy sci-fi/fantasy/make-believe (lol), are jaded or that we are being romanced by the occult in which we are also opening or children up to being of that world; I say thank you, but most of us are not that thin skinned. They spoke that about C.S. Lewis and Tolkien too.
There is nothing that can shake my foundation in Christ. This is FICTION writing. As a matter of fact the reason why those of us who are talking of this alternate vampiric (yeah, I coined it) fiction is because we enjoy the fantasy of it but would like to incorporate the Glory of Christ as a big component of the writings. It's not misguided at all. To have a fiction piece who's story line ends up with the antagonist having to bow down to the Glory of God, or a wretched condemned soul being Saved only through Christ EVEN though it's never been done that way and these writings can have the opportunity to reach MILLIONS of souls because so many are already engulfed in reading occultish novels...........
How can it be a jaded issue? Did God say that there's only one way to get to know Him, and I'm not talking about getting saved, but to merely help someone become cognizant of Him. There are probably millions of ways. This may become one that reaches to people that if seeing them personally we would NEVER know how to approach or ever come to a common ground to even get to a place to talk about this "Christian God"......

Thank you for writing about this. As of today I have wrote a fictional book on the love of a Vamp for an immortal. Our Lord is his guide throughout-
They say Vampires exist, and many have souls-many go to church. They have been delt with a 'shady' hand-but use it to enrich those around them. Who am I to decipher this true or not?
As a Christian it's been hard to expose my literary talent, and am selective to whom I reach too. God has given myself a talent (not boasting mind you,)that I am using. As many have said-'lead others however you have too to HIM.' That's my intent.

Christian Vampires already exists. The Vampire: The Requiem game, has a covenant of vampires who follow the Faith. They usually bring down God's wrath upon evil doers, or test the faithful. They are opposed to another covenant, The Circle of The Chrone, who are Goddess worshipers and pagans. Much of it is based upon Catholicism, however some who belong are Protestants, Jews, or Islamic. Fascinating reading however.

To the few people who scowled at the thought of a Vampire love story, they should re-read the article. It talks about like the vampire in question in something evil, but instead of it being rotten to the core, human feelings remain.
I think it just exemplifies that God can save anything--even a Vampire who would seem eternally doomed.

Christian vampire romance??
I don't feel good about this... worldly trends shouldn't be mixed with God. He said not to be worldly.
I could be wrong but, I personally think this is just a way to sell books and make money. Parents will buy their kids these books (if any of these books are for kids or teens) thinking they're okay because they're Christian, but they won't be.
Hmm...

A girl in Coffs Harbour in Australia has written a book that brings the vamps, the elves and the christians together. I think its called Faerytale and it is in the process of being published or is getting there. I read the manuscript, a friend had it, and it is awesome. Hope that she gets it out there, seems ur all looking for it.. Oh the heroine is called Lourion. Its a good read.

Yes, her Manuscript is called Faerytale, and it does bring in Christianity, although its not a Christian orientated story. There are Vampires in the book, but from what I know, the girl Lourion actually falls in love with a Druid who is a shapeshifter. The Vampires are not technically traditional ones, they were once Warlocks that fell from grace. You are right though, its an amazing story. It is being pubished, in Australia later on in the year. I know this cause I cold read the first draft of the script. And one thing is for sure, it is good, and very different from whats out there.

I googled Christian Vampire stories and came upon this article. I have a Christian/spiritually based vampire story that I would love to write. I came up with the concept 15 years ago. I wanted to see if anyone else thought of the same theme. I still think I'll write it.

What I'd like to see is a vampire novel where the "hero" is living in a life of desperation and wakes up one morning to realize that we are all born as vampires. We are all the living dead. We avoid light because Light will kill us, but it is in that death, he finds, that he truly becomes alive for the first time. This is the message of the cross. I haven't gotten very far and haven't been able to get people interesting in writing such a novel. They want to have vampires with fangs and supernatural strength. I want to show them for what they really are, people, fallen humanity, that without Christ lives under the curse of death, but in choosing Christ passes over from death unto life.

Could you please be more specific about the name of the author from Coffs Harbour, Australia? I can't find her book or info on it?