Conventions

Join me tonight at 7 p.m. LIVE here as I take part in a panel of other vampire authors. The discussion? Vampires don’t sparkle…

Vampires have been with us – through myth, legend and fireside tale – for hundreds of years.

The idea of the immortal – given life through blood – never goes away. It evolves. Clever authors? We reinvent.

In my books, Light has this role.

Vampires can be creatures of horror, fantasy or science fiction. These lines are increasingly blurred: vampires as real creatures alongside humans.

In Rebel Vampires Blood Lifers are a second species, camouflaged predators that are evolved alongside humans. Like G. R. R. Martin’s Fevre Dream, this pushes it into science fiction, as much as dark fantasy/urban fantasy and paranormal suspense.

In Twilight by Stephenie Meyer the vampires sparkle in sunlight because their skin is marble-like. It’s become one of the most quoted phrases…

Blood Dragons Rosemary A Johns Fantasy Vampire Book Rebel Vampires Yet it’s only one of the many faces of the modern-day vampire. Mine? Are dark, adult and in the words of a recent review?

“Take what you know about vampire romance and throw it away. Rosemary A Johns is not only a refreshing new voice in this genre, she excels it. Her vampires are edgy and enticing” – Rockchick Addiction Reviews

There’s room for both types because vampires – like zombies, shifters or angels – represent what each society needs, wants and desires.

I will always love, read, and write them.

So, do vampires sparkle – and should they?

LISTEN IN LIVE TO THE DEBATE HERE.

Blood Dragons

Blood Shackles

Blood Renegades

Blood Renegades - Rebel Vampires 3 - Rosemary A Johns - Vampire Series

One of my secret passions – did I say passions…all right you’ve twisted my arm – obsessions – is watching convention panels on YouTube. Only when I have time and until I work out the serious flaws in my ‘Clone the Author’ experiments, I have almost none of that.

Rosemary A Johns Fantasy Author

I love to hear discussions about my favourite shows, books and writers. Hear sneak peeks behind the scenes and authors’ plans ahead of time.

This last week I was invited to take part in a series of fantasy and science fiction panels. They’re part of a Cyber Convention and Book Expo, which opens to readers 7 – 9th April: a virtual book San Diego Comic Con.

So what did we discuss?

One panel was dedicated to how far fantasy has come from Tolkien to the modern day.

Another examined magical systems, including our own: what were the rules, limitations and dangers in our fantasy worlds and why did it matter?

Being the only honorary Brit on the panels, Britain and the BBC’s fantasy was in my corner: Dr Who. Enough said.

Not to miss the science fiction panels on Star Wars, Star Trek and how writing has evolved to match audiences.

If you could take one question to a fantasy panel – what would it be?

I’ll try and sneak it in to my next panel…

***Bestselling Rebel Vampires***

Dive into the spellbinding series…and discover a new world.

“One of the most unique and ingenious vampire books I have ever read …reminded me very much of Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles” – Leather and Lace Reviews.