Why Is Every Vampire Book A "Twilight Rip-off"?

[Paranormal_Madness]

A self-published author I follow on Goodreads just made a post about this, and it got me thinking about it, too. Nowadays, every single vampire book will inevitably be compared to Twilight, despite a vast number of differences. In her post, she mentioned that someone considered her vampires to be a rip-off of the vampires from Twilight, but when she listed the attributes of her vampires, it had me laughing. She said that her vampires have fangs, get headaches in the sunlight if they don’t feed, they feed on humans, they aren’t invincible, they don’t sparkle, and they are killed by being staked through the heart. That is absolutely nothing like Twilight’s vampires, yet people have still compared her series to Twilight in many different reviews. Why does every vampire book get compared? I could understand a book about a vegetarian vampire who falls in love with a human being compared to Twilight, but that doesn’t happen in her book. Anyways, does anyone have any thoughts about this?

[Ellie]

I'm a self-published author of a vampire novel myself...and I cannot tell you how many times my book has been compared to Twilight. There are a few similarities, of course, but you'll find some with every vampire book you read. My vampires do have more similarites to Stephenie Meyer's than the author's that you mentioned above, but there are so many differences between the books and vampires as a whole that there is no reason they should be compared. I think everyone is just being ridiculous about it, and they need to realize that no one is intentionally trying to "rip-off" Stephenie Meyer's books.

[Paranormal_Madness]

Thank you. There are only so many different ways to do vampire stuff, and with the boom in paranormal romance, nothing is truly original nowadays. There are a couple of similarities in her books too, but those things have been done a hundred times, even before Twilight. I think people look for ways to compare every book to Twilight, and it really annoys me.

[Ellie]

Exactly! People need to see that Stephenie Meyer didn't come up with anything new (besides maybe the sparkling, but nobody has taken that idea from her that I know of)and that everything that vampires are and ever could be has already been done. Also, you're 100% right about people looking for ways to compare every book to Twilight; it's like nobody can get over it. Honestly, it seems people could compare any book ever written to Twilight and find at least one similarity...everybody just needs to move on from Twilight and appreciate books for what they really are, and not see them as some "copy" of Twilight because of a few similarities.

[Paranormal_Madness]

Honestly, I’ve only read a couple of books that could be considered a Twilight rip-off, but the majority of the time any Twilight comparison is completely unfounded. It seems like Twilight fans think the only vampire book in existence is Twilight, yet they overlook the similarities between Twilight and The Vampire Diaries.

Are you really only fifteen years old and already an author? That is really cool. The author I follow on here is nineteen and she has a few books self-published too.

[Siobhan]

I think that will happen whenever a novel does well commercially. Books about wizards are always going to get compared to Harry Potter. It's nothing personal, just a way of explaining other novels from a reference point that anyone can understand, whether they've read twilight or not.

[Zoran]

I am an author, I have one vampire book published, and it was never compared to Twilight, as far as I know.

Maybe because it wasn't published in English, only in Croatian and Polish so far, maybe because it is far too different, maybe because it was not ment for children as Twilight is, and maybe because it was published in 2007., before Twilight became so popular (at least in my country).

[Lauren]

I've heard people compare books that don't even involve vampires to twilight. "Hunger Games is like Twilight," "Beautiful Creatures is like Twilight," "Romeo and Juliet is like Twilight," hell, I've even heard "Pride and Prejudice is like Twilight." I think people say these things to encourage young girls to read more, though it comes out sounding not-so-positive to people who do not enjoy Twilight.

[J.H.]

It's really hard when you're an author. You can't read everything. And when you do sci-fi/fantasy, there are only so many super powers. I just published my first book. And since I wrote it I'be been reading YA books and over and over I find something I've used is in another book. And I go, "great," another thing I'll be accused of copying. I just finished Boundless, which is really good. But Cynthia Hand used pretty much every super power there is as her character is an angel. I was groaning since my characters have several of the abilities she used. But it's the story that really matters. It's the story that needs to be unique. As a culture, we share the same references. There's bound to be similarities. But I have to say that as a new author, it's my biggest frustration.

[Siobhan]

J.H. wrote: "It's really hard when you're an author. You can't read everything. And when you do sci-fi/fantasy, there are only so many super powers. I just published my first book. And since I wrote it I'be bee..."

There are no original concepts, only original arrangements ;) it's about the characterisation, the depth of research, the subtle humour and the ability to conjure a picture in someone else's mind, that's what counts.

[S.L.J.]

Nobody has compared my book to Twilight yet. But then, I used the original vampire concept. Burning in sunlight, stake through the heart etc. And even though there are 'good' vampires in my book, I've made sure not to glamourize vampirism. It's pretty much seen as a curse.

[Nuran]

Peace wrote: "S.L.J. wrote: "Nobody has compared my book to Twilight yet. But then, I used the original vampire concept. Burning in sunlight, stake through the heart etc. And even though there are 'good' vampire..."

Why is that a maybe???

[Gerd]

Lauren wrote: "I've heard people compare books that don't even involve vampires to twilight. "Hunger Games is like Twilight," "Beautiful Creatures is like Twilight," "Romeo and Juliet is like Twilight," hell, I'v..."

Well, I guess with HG and BC they do have sort of a point, YA books do tend to blur into each other thematically.

[Grateful]

When I think vampire novels I tend to think Carmilla and Dracula. Nowadays it seems to be Twilight. To be honest I really like The Sookie Stackhouse Series and Anne Rices books I don't compare because they are totally different kinds of vampire. I do wish everyone would stop comparing everything with a vampire in it to Twilight you would swear it was the only vampire book ever written.

[Paranormal_Madness]

Jenny wrote: "When I think vampire novels I tend to think Carmilla and Dracula. Nowadays it seems to be Twilight. To be honest I really like The Sookie Stackhouse Series and Anne Rices books I don't compare beca..."

Exactly. Whenever I think of vampire I think of Sookie Stackhouse or Interview with the Vampire, both of which came before Twilight, but everyone else is thinking of Twilight. It gets annoying to hear every single vampire book compared to Twilight, even if there aren't any similarities. But now it's happening with other series as well. If a book plot even mentions fights to the death or war, it’s a Hunger Games rip-off. If a book plot has witches in it it’s a Harry Potter rip-off or a Beautiful Creatures rip-off. Sometimes people just come up with similar ideas and it can’t be helped.

[Paul]

Except the truth is, all of them, especially Twilight started by ripping off, then twisting up What Joss Whedon had started...

[Gerd]

Paul wrote: "Except the truth is, all of them, especially Twilight started by ripping off, then twisting up What Joss Whedon had started..."

Not that Whedon was that original himself to start with, though. But if we hunt that around long enough we probably end up discussing how every one is ripping-off greek tragedy. :D

[Izzy]

Nuran wrote: "Peace wrote: "S.L.J. wrote: "Nobody has compared my book to Twilight yet. But then, I used the original vampire concept. Burning in sunlight, stake through the heart etc. And even though there are ..."

Nuran,
Peace frequents the forums, posting and replying "Yeah", "Maybe", " :) " and other bits and bobs that don't make sense. Sometimes, I think she posts for the sake of posting, even if it has nothing to do with the topic.
I don't know why she does it and from what I've seen, nobody has questioned her why she does it. It's just what she does.

[Siobhan]

I did, but I didn't get much back. You can block posts though.

[J.M.]

As a recent self published author I've not had the (ahem) "pleasure" of being compared to Twilight, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time, even though my vamps burn in the sun, hate crucifixes and get staked through the heart, as well as feeding from humans in often rather depraved ways! Yet I'm sure it's it's like Twilight (sarcastic much?) ;)
I don't get why everything vamp has to be like Twilight, but as has already been said everything seems to be compared to something if it's been a big hit, such as Hunger Games and Harry Potter. The latest of course being 50 shades...apparently erotica never existed before that was published!

[Nuran]

Izzy wrote: "Peace frequents the forums, posting and replying "Yeah", "Maybe", " :) " and other bits and bobs that don't make sense. Sometimes, I think she posts for the sake of posting, even if it has nothing to do with the topic.
I don't know why she does it and from what I've seen, nobody has questioned her why she does it. It's just what she does. ..."

I know, I've seen, but I just couldn't hold my curiosity anymore at her random posts. I can't even work out if she is a fan of twilight or not. She sometimes seems to agree with both sides.

[Paul]

Gerd wrote: "Paul wrote: "Except the truth is, all of them, especially Twilight started by ripping off, then twisting up What Joss Whedon had started..."

Not that Whedon was that original himself to start with..."

Well Yes, but I was referring to the first popularity at making Vampires and other Supers (Oz as a werewolf, Willow and Tera As witches etc) more human and "teen friendly" and "relationship available" Whedon really hit on that first and its been discussed ad naseum in certain circles that Meyer without a doubt was "influenced" (read ripped off :) ) by Whedon and Buffy. Except she destroyed the point of Whedon work by making women weak and well crap characters where Whedon only creates Strong Female leads.

[Angelica]

more like why is every vampire book a rip off of the vampire diaries which was out way before twilight lol

[Nuran]

Pfft everything is just a rip off of the bible. Vampires, fallen angels, demons, paranormal fiction, all in the bible.

[Angelica]

Nuran wrote: "Pfft everything is just a rip off of the bible. Vampires, fallen angels, demons, paranormal fiction, all in the bible."

vampires in the bible? are we talking about the same bible lol I've never read that in there. angels and demons sure but vampires? where does it say that in the bible, please provide the exact book and verse to back up you statement!

[Feliks]

Before Meyers, would-be vampire authors were being compared unfairly(?) to Anne Rice. Obviously its a gravy train; when there's this much money involved. How many of these authors had a real interest in vampires before Rice or Meyers showed the way, showed how to turn the bottom of such a played-out vein into a whole new motherlode? Are vampire authors honestly *not* trying to become the next Meyers? Hence the comparisons.

[S.L.J.]

There are quite a few bibles out there.

Can'r say I ever read any passages about vampires tho.

[Siobhan]

Angelica wrote: "Nuran wrote: "Pfft everything is just a rip off of the bible. Vampires, fallen angels, demons, paranormal fiction, all in the bible."

vampires in the bible? are we talking about the same bible lol..."

The story I heard goes that when Judas tried to kill himself, the devil appeared and refused to accept him into hell. Instead he cursed him to forever feast on the blood of virgins.

First vampire story.

[S.L.J.]

Siobhan wrote: "Angelica wrote: "Nuran wrote: "Pfft everything is just a rip off of the bible. Vampires, fallen angels, demons, paranormal fiction, all in the bible."

vampires in the bible? are we talking about t..."

I never heard that one. I heard that deepest part of Hell was made for beytrayers. And that is where Judas is paying his rent.

[Angelica]

S.L.J. wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Angelica wrote: "Nuran wrote: "Pfft everything is just a rip off of the bible. Vampires, fallen angels, demons, paranormal fiction, all in the bible."

vampires in the bible? are we..."
I've never heard any of these stories about Judas didn't he just die after hanging himself? I am so confused haha good point about different bibles though, the one I read doesn't say anything about vamps as far as I know

[Mochaspresso]

In the old testament, there are verses about it being forbidden to take in blood. That is where some sects derive their dietary restrictions involving rare meat and why Jehovah's Witnesses reject things like blood transfusions.

[Nuran]

Angelica wrote: "Nuran wrote: "Pfft everything is just a rip off of the bible. Vampires, fallen angels, demons, paranormal fiction, all in the bible."

vampires in the bible? are we talking about the same bible lol..."

It’s a vague form/idea/origin of vampireism, and not like the modern vampires of today or of victorian era. There are a lot of references to drinking blood by humans, but they be cursed/punished/dammed if they do. It’s not a giant leap from turning stories from the bible into the fiction we have today.


Leviticus 17:10-14
“If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood. “Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth. For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.

Revelation 16:6
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!”

1 Chronicles 11:19
And said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.

Deuteronomy 12:23
Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the life with the flesh.

Joel 1:6
For a nation has come up against my land, powerful and beyond number; its teeth are lions’ teeth, and it has the fangs of a lioness.

Revelation 9:8
Their hair like women’s hair, and their teeth like lions’ teeth;

Acts 15:28-29
For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

[Brian]

The current generation will always identify new works of art in any medium whether it be literature, music, cinema or fine art with mainstream contemporary works of the same field. As it has been repeated here several times, vampires will be compared to Twighlight, wizards and witches to Harry Potter, sci-fi space to Star Trek and Star Wars, etc... As human beings we tend to organize things and experiences into little groups that we can easily identify with. We refer to people as looking like someone else ex.("you know that guy that played in ______ and looks kind of like Morgan Freeman but has the scar on his _____")
Feelings can be responsible for groupings as well. A movie or a novel can make us feel very similar to how another great movie, novel, or song made us feel. That can be a good thing.
While it is true that there will be a few that pull out the "Ripped off" card I believe that most readers, viewers, and listeners like myself are looking for that familiar feel. Another trait we share as humans is that the majority of us will choose new experiences based on a desire to extend or replicate a familiar or past experience. We tend to choose authors of similar styles and talent within genres. The same goes for most experiences we have. It is in this manner that we form "preferences" for one style, genre, or medium above another.
I say good. Put up with the exceptions who have difficulty experiencing or identifying originality. Embrace the majority who read your work because it has (to them) a Stephanie Meyers, look, taste or feel. Look at your glass as half full and realize that they just did a remarkable thing. No matter how you may feel personally about the original artist your followers just inducted you into a small fraternity of people who share one thing. Success.It is one thing to be an individual but another and quite foolish one to fight against a wave or a trend. If your work meshes into the trend for emo vampires, or teenage wizards with glasses,don't fight it.
Retain your originality but welcome every reader of J.R.R Tolkien, Stephen King, or Robert E. Heinlein that you can into your readership. Pull up a virtual chair with them and discuss warmly and openly with them how much you appreciate being identified with their favorite author (if the author is one they do not like then refer to them as a successful author). Acknowledge any similarities while highlighting differences in a positive way. ex. ("I agree that Stephanie's Edward and my character Jonas share the trait Stephanie referred to as vegetarian. I wasn't really thinking of the Twilight series when I wrote Jonas, and any similarities are a happy coincidence. Thank god I never sent him out into the sunlight to sparkle where he would have incinerated.") Thank your reader for giving "Jonas" a chance and let them know that you hope they will continue to follow your work in the future.
I know that this will not turn every "hater" to the good side of the force but every reader you can turn will become your advocate. Remember those same people who were so vocal with their dislikes, if befriended will be just as vocal an ally with their likes.
I hope this helps in some small way. At least it is something to ponder.
Much success and happiness. - Brian Randleas

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[Gerd]

Paul wrote: "Well Yes, but I was referring to the first popularity at making Vampires and other Supers (Oz as a werewolf, Willow and Tera As witches etc) more human and "teen friendly" and "relationship available" Whedon really hit on that first and its been discussed ad naseum in certain circles that Meyer without a doubt was "influenced" (read ripped off :) ) by Whedon and Buffy..."

He made it more popular I'd say.
Paranormal Teen-Lit is probably as old as the written word... well, not quite, but it's been around for a long time now, however, it used to be more of a niche market before Buffy came.

[Aamrah]

Brian wrote: "The current generation will always identify new works of art in any medium whether it be literature, music, cinema or fine art with mainstream contemporary works of the same field. As it has been r..."

The disclaimer cracked me up. You're right about the similarity in a genre thing. Not a hater though. I'm kind of indifferent to Twilight.

[Brian]

Aamrah wrote: "Brian wrote: "The current generation will always identify new works of art in any medium whether it be literature, music, cinema or fine art with mainstream contemporary works of the same field. As..."

Thank you Aamrah. As I guess you can tell I try to approach and deal with most things in life with a sense of humor especially those that concern me the most. If we can all find a place to stop and smile even cloudy weather has its perks.

***Disclaimer #2: The expression "Hater" in the afore mentioned post refers loosely to the loosely coined word referring to people who differ or disagree with ones own opinion. The use of said expression is in no way meant to be implied that the writer of said post is now nor has ever been at any time or location in the past space/time continuum "down with it" or has in his/her possession any sum of "street cred".***

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[Nermin]

I haven't read many vampire books, just the classic stuff like Dracula and Vampire Chronicles and since they were published before Twilight they can't be 'Twilight rip-off'. Nor do I think that Twilight is a let's say Vampire Chronicles rip-off, because if it resembled classic vampire books in any way, I'd have liked it ;) but i don't doubt there's some authors out there who will 'steal' some traits of Meyer's vampires or her ideas. But it's stupid to think that every vampire book is a Twilight rip-off, novels featuring vampire existed and were pretty popular long before the Twilight series. And to be honest, vampires in Twilight books are rather disappointing. Being vegetarian? Sparkling? Impregnating humans and fathering children? Sounds very ridiculous to me and I definitely wouldn't want other authors to copy such ideas.

[Siobhan]

Narmin wrote: "I haven't read many vampire books, just the classic stuff like Dracula and Vampire Chronicles and since they were published before Twilight they can't be 'Twilight rip-off'. Nor do I think that Twi..."

Conversely, I love the idea of vegetarian vampires. That could have been an amazing book. Instead ... It's whiny emo neurosis.

[Brandy]

As an indie author of a series that involves Vampires (not the main point but they are still there), I have to agree with other authors on here about my book being compared to Twilight. I don't know why so many people have this idea because my main character is a hybrid between a vampire, lycan, witch, and shifter. There is no, and I mean, no similarities to Twilight. My Vampires in the book are I guess traditional. The whole sun thing, mine do burst into flame but they have to be centuries old to do so. I think when people just generally hear the word Vampire, they automatically think of Twilight. It's a shame too. I have and always have been a huge fan of paranormal books, but it's starting to become frustrating to continue to have and hear books compared to Twilight no matter how different they are. There are too many great books out there that need readers to be ignored because of this insane comparison.

[Ellie]

Samantha wrote: "Honestly, I’ve only read a couple of books that could be considered a Twilight rip-off, but the majority of the time any Twilight comparison is completely unfounded. It seems like Twilight fans thi..."

I don't think I've read any books that are an actual rip-off of the Twilight series. Anyways, I agree. It seems that nowadays people are like, "Oh? This book is about vampires? it must be just like Twilight!!!"

Also, I am sixteen now, but I was fifteen when I published my first book.

[Kath]

I opine that S.Mayer open many doors for other writers of young people and many has similar ideas, but not the same, but for the twilightmania a few of that publishing house want that success. Like happends every time that something good triumphs and gains much popularity.

[Cecilia]

Just have to say i picked up a book that was about witches as i was told, called the discovery of witches (okay book) the only thing that i kept thinking of was how much Matthew reminded me of Edward. I honestly thought they were painfully too similar. besides what is a vampire doing with a witch. anyways i hardly read any vampire books because of this newly installed fear. However highly recomend Samantha Moon books !! Pretty awesome

[Semira]

All I want to say is that Stephanie Myer isn't the first to have sparkling vamps, anyone else watched Lost Boys???? Their blood glitters. Also Vampire High, which was only shown in Canada is a series with characters that are insanely similar to the vamps of Twilight, minus they aren't related. However Vampire High was a really good series that ended due to lack of viewers.

[Alyssa]

there were plenty of vampire books before twilight. One example is the vampire diaries books that came out in 1992, while twilight came out in 2005.

[Jeri]

No, you've got that wrong. Every vampire book is a BUFFY rip off. : )

[Jeri]

she killed MOST vamps, but not all (most famously, Spike and Angel)

[Bill]

I'd be interested to know how books that were released LLLLOOOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG before Twilight and Buffy are ripoffs of those two... like Dracula... or 'Salem's Lot... or about 20-25 vampire novels (with real vampires, not Meyers' faeries) that predated Twilight.

[Riande]

I generally read a lot of vampire fiction but couldnt bring myself to try twilight I miss the good of days of vampires either falling into a classic category of anne rice, dracula or sometihng a bit newer and more urban like underworld/blade/sookie stackhouse. Another one similar to vampires that arent sparkley is the genesis by kl kerr on here/amazon. less about falling love and more about killing things - recommended.

[Lizbeth]

Good Question. Why is every dystopian book a hunger games rip-off? I guess everyone likes to compare.

[Gerd]

Bill wrote: "I'd be interested to know how books that were released LLLLOOOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG before Twilight and Buffy are ripoffs of those two..."

Time travel, I tell thee, is the answer to that!

Stoker, that sly fox, used Wells's time machine, which the man had just build to test certain elements of a novel idea of his, to travel into the future, gather what popular literature about vampires was around, and then travelled back claiming other authors (future) hard work as his own.