Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion

Hey all!

I'm an indie author looking for some feedback. What is a monster type that you'd like to see more often in urban fantasy?

I feel like the ghosts, demons, vampires, and werewolves have been over done. Don't get me wrong! There are tons of good books out there about these monster types but there are so many other types that don't get enough of the spotlight.

I personally think there should be more books about mermaids and sirens. The fear of drowning and the fear of the ocean itself are really common fears that I personally believe aren't explored enough.

What do you guys think?

Phoenixes. Not sure if I'd call them monsters given how beautiful and majestic they can be, but I'd love to see more of them in UF.

Oh, and more of the creatures often seen in high fantasy. Ogres, orcs, dwarves, trolls, giants etc and also magic users that aren't traditional 'witches'.

kittykat (Jo Tortitude) wrote: "Phoenixes. Not sure if I'd call them monsters given how beautiful and majestic they can be, but I'd love to see more of them in UF.

Oh, and more of the creatures often seen in high fantasy. Ogres,..."

Phoenixes are the bomb and under rated, I completely agree! Never thought to use them, or any of the other traditional fantasy monsters, in UF but that sounds seriously cool! Thanks for replying!

You are welcome.

still looking for a great Frankenstein retelling. also golems! I loved the The Silver Metal Lover and Metallic Love. There is something about man's creature finding their humanity that I love.

Phoenixes are a great idea! I've only ever found two books that featured them in UF. I wish there were more pegasus/unicorns in books too, although I'm not sure if they'd be considered a rare monster. A kraken or kitsune would also be interesting!

❧✧LEXIE✧☙ wrote: "Phoenixes are a great idea! I've only ever found two books that featured them in UF. I wish there were more pegasus/unicorns in books too, although I'm not sure if they'd be considered a rare monster. A kraken or kitsune would also be interesting! "

What are those two books? Yes to pegasus/unicorns too!

I also wish we'd see more non-European mythologies explored, and specifically African ones which are definitely a rarity. Contemporary high fantasy definitely leads the way with more culturally diverse explorations and that is a real shame I think.

And slightly off topic, I would LOVE to see more standalone UF books! That is an untapped market I think.

kittykat (Jo Tortitude) wrote: "❧✧LEXIE✧☙ wrote: "Phoenixes are a great idea! I've only ever found two books that featured them in UF. I wish there were more pegasus/unicorns in books too, although I'm not sure if they'd be consi..."

One of the phoenix books is Reclaimed although the Phoenix wasn't the main part of the book. The other one I had to search for since it's been a while since I read it and I hadn't saved it (unfortunately). I'm pretty sure its Burn For Me though.

And yes! I would also love to see more standalone books. A series is nice to but a standalone is a relief every now and then since it can sometimes feel overwhelming to jump into a series that got like 8+ books in it.

I think in general a lot of monsters from non-European mythologies are greatly underrepresented. What other monsters are in Asian, Native American, Middle Eastern, etc. that could be given a paranormal romance take? :-)

Marija wrote: "Djinn! Don't find them as often as I like and I do find them intriguing, also (from that part of the world) Al Anqa’a, never read about those birds in any books yet.. so creating a shifter with tha..."

My only experience with a Djinn in a story was in that Witcher episode and I have to admit I was intrigued. They're sort of like trickster genies, right? I'd have to do more research but I think that would be fun to play with in a story. Thanks for pitching in!

Maria wrote: "still looking for a great Frankenstein retelling. also golems!"

Frankenstein retelling, huh? I still have to read the original. XP But that is definitely a rare one! I think I only heard golems used once, in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. It was refreshing! Thanks for your input!

❧✧LEXIE✧☙ wrote: "Phoenixes are a great idea! I've only ever found two books that featured them in UF. I wish there were more pegasus/unicorns in books too, although I'm not sure if they'd be considered a rare monst..."

Pegasus or Pegasai? Lol. Yes, both Pregasus and Unicorns are so majestic and mysterious and need to be further explored! Thanks for commenting!

kittykat (Jo Tortitude) wrote: "❧✧LEXIE✧☙ wrote: "Phoenixes are a great idea! I've only ever found two books that featured them in UF. I wish there were more pegasus/unicorns in books too, although I'm not sure if they'd be consi..."

It's hard to read stand alones sometimes because you know there's a definite ending but I get what you're saying. It's nice to change things up every once in a while and break away from series books!

Promise Pegasus wrote: "I think in general a lot of monsters from non-European mythologies are greatly underrepresented. What other monsters are in Asian, Native American, Middle Eastern, etc. that could be given a parano..."

Yes on mythology from different cultures! Rick Riordan touched on Egyptian mythology in one of his series and it was fascinating. Got a little hard to follow toward the middle there but still cool! Thanks for your input!

Burn Main character is a phoenix, Harper is her name and Suzanne doesn’t shy away from the sexy parts either.

Personally, it’s been going on for quite some time now (five - six years now). I’ve been begging/pleading for someone to make the love interest match up between a Vampire and a Mummy.

“He’s all blood lust and she sawdust.

The devil's not happy with the newest addition to hell. The vampire is running amok and bedding anything in hell with two legs. So, what's Satan suppose to do with a loose soul like that? Well, he calls in his most valued hidden asset to bring that damn soul to him.

He may think he can out run anything out there that the devil can throw at him, but when you got an ancient mummy hot on your trail, there's nowhere in heaven or hell you can escape from its curse. Because she is the embodiment of a curse.”

Or something like that.

Would be very interesting how a writer could make that one work.



Another interesting ides that I had would be a vampire (an immortal with an endless death before him) and a time jumping girl with no control over where or when she jumps (kind of mirrored after The Time Traveler’s Wife).

The Lightning-Struck Heart

And

Thick as Thieves

Both contain unicorns in them. The first one is a comedic satire story with a talking unicorn. The second is said to be good. But since I haven’t read them I don’t know for sure (bought one and have the other in my “Buy” collection). It is worth to note that they are also M/M. Not my particular genre but the sample pages for the first was very comical and interesting that I have to know how this story turns out.

❧✧LEXIE✧☙ wrote: "One of the phoenix books is Reclaimed although the Phoenix wasn't the main part of the book. The other one I had to search for since it's been a while since I read it and I hadn't saved it (unfortunately). I'm pretty sure its Burn For Me though.

And yes! I would also love to see more standalone books. A series is nice to but a standalone is a relief every now and then since it can sometimes feel overwhelming to jump into a series that got like 8+ books in it."

Thanks, and yes I agree. Some standalones, across different types of fantasy, that I've enjoyed or even loved as complete stories are




Becca wrote: "It's hard to read stand alones sometimes because you know there's a definite ending but I get what you're saying. It's nice to change things up every once in a while and break away from series books!"

Standalones are never hard for me, I relish in them just as much as I do in series, and even though I have found quite a few in my time (see above!), it's still nowhere near enough for me! But then I'm not one for never-ending series, those just don't interest me at all. I try to only read a series (back to back) that is completed most of the time because I can't stand the never-ending wait between books for the next one to come along.

I also think that many casual readers of fantasy of all types are actually put off by those ultra-long series - I see those convos all the time in various places on the internet, which is why I think there is an untapped market for more standalones, both in high fantasy and urban fantasy.

I read a really great series on Phoenixes by L M Connolly: Sun Fire, Ice Fire, Moon Fire and Thunder Fire. They were awesome and I would really like to see more stories about Phoenixes.

Kimberly wrote: "I read a really great series on Phoenixes by L M Connolly: Sun Fire, Ice Fire, Moon Fire and Thunder Fire. They were awesome and I would really like to see more stories about Phoenixes."

Yes, I've read those (back in the Elloras Cave days!) and forgot about them.

Cozen wrote: "Burn Main character is a phoenix, Harper is her name and Suzanne doesn’t shy away from the sexy parts either.

Personally, it’s been going on for quite some..."

Wow! Looks like you're already on your way to writing that story! That's a great blurb. :)

Cozen wrote: "The Lightning-Struck Heart

And

Thick as Thieves

Both contain unicorns in them..."

Nice! I haven't read too many satirical stories but I love satirical TV shows!

kittykat (Jo Tortitude) wrote: "❧✧LEXIE✧☙ wrote: "One of the phoenix books is Reclaimed although the Phoenix wasn't the main part of the book. The other one I had to search for since it's been a while since I read it and I hadn't..."

That's encouraging to hear about the standalones! I'm actually in the process of publishing a standalone UF and I was worried it wouldn't do as good as other books because it wasn't going to be in a series. I've read so many articles that insist writing a series is the fastest way to become a successful author; it was starting to bum me out! I guess I just have to find the right audience, huh? :)

Kimberly wrote: "I read a really great series on Phoenixes by L M Connolly: Sun Fire, Ice Fire, Moon Fire and Thunder Fire. They were awesome and I would really like to see more stories about Phoenixes."

Cool cool! I'll definitely have to check those out.

Becca wrote: "That's encouraging to hear about the standalones! I'm actually in the process of publishing a standalone UF and I was worried it wouldn't do as good as other books because it wasn't going to be in a series. I've read so many articles that insist writing a series is the fastest way to become a successful author; it was starting to bum me out! I guess I just have to find the right audience, huh? :)"

Good luck.

Djinns
Witch's Reign

Phoenix and pegasus
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening
Though the phoenix doesnt show up in the first book and these can be rough to read as there is intense bullying.

Leah wrote: "Djinns
Witch's Reign

Phoenix and pegasus
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening
Though the phoenix doesnt show up in the first book and these can be rough to read as there i..."

Nice! Thanks for chiming in!

Phoenix, fairy, elves, nymphs, dryads, mermaids, I would love more of these, I'm currently reading a rh with a rabbit, Phoenix, Pegasus, kraken, 9 tailed fox and a gargoyle

Melissa wrote: "Phoenix, fairy, elves, nymphs, dryads, mermaids, I would love more of these, I'm currently reading a rh with a rabbit, Phoenix, Pegasus, kraken, 9 tailed fox and a gargoyle"

Wow, that's a lot of rare monster types! I've only ever heard of a 9 tailed fox in Naruto. So cool that's it's being used in other stories!

Melissa wrote: "Phoenix, fairy, elves, nymphs, dryads, mermaids, I would love more of these, I'm currently reading a rh with a rabbit, Phoenix, Pegasus, kraken, 9 tailed fox and a gargoyle"

Thats awesome, what book?

There’s a lot of cool monsters in Mythology, especially less explored middle eastern. Also you can’t go wrong with dragons.

Gryphons & Hippogriffes

Cozen wrote: "Burn Main character is a phoenix, Harper is her name and Suzanne doesn’t shy away from the sexy parts either.

Personally, it’s been going on for quite some..."

“He’s all blood lust and she sawdust." - That is hilarious! I'd read the hell out of that.

Medusa, but mainly because I want to write about her. Ha-ha!

Angie wrote: "There’s a lot of cool monsters in Mythology, especially less explored middle eastern. Also you can’t go wrong with dragons."

Dragons are my favorite, not going to lie!

Janice wrote: "Gryphons & Hippogriffes"

Yes! Hippogriffes are SUPER rare. I think Harry Potter is the only place I read about those.

Shera (Book Whispers) wrote: "Medusa, but mainly because I want to write about her. Ha-ha!"

Oooo, yes. I'd love to get an origin story for Medusa!

Becca wrote: "Shera (Book Whispers) wrote: "Medusa, but mainly because I want to write about her. Ha-ha!"

Oooo, yes. I'd love to get an origin story for Medusa!"

Dragons are my fave, always have been. Unicorns too. I found a great self pub series that has unicorns!

Yes. Medusa has so much room. The new Charmed did their own twist on Medusa in the first season and I loved it!

Shera (Book Whispers) wrote: "Becca wrote: "Shera (Book Whispers) wrote: "Medusa, but mainly because I want to write about her. Ha-ha!"

Oooo, yes. I'd love to get an origin story for Medusa!"

Dragons are my fave, always have ..."

Nice!

Maybe you find some inspiration in this one. But it's wild, I warn you :)))) Allurenatrix

I love it when authors use creatures I can’t immediately recognize. Mythology that isn’t the mainstream is great! I’ve read interesting things where the author used Maori myths, lesser-known Japanese creatures (we all know kitsunes, but okami?), tarot cards, or Yoruba beliefs for inspiration. It sets up a world where I have to listen to the author’s decision about what signals good or bad, powerful or weak, real or fake, rather than them following or trying to upend tropes. There’s a whole world of myths, legends, and folk heroes out there with intricate stories to learn from!

Marija wrote: "Djinn! Don't find them as often as I like and I do find them intriguing, also (from that part of the world) Al Anqa’a, never read about those birds in any books yet.. so creating a shifter with tha..."
Yesss!!! I will pick up any book that has Djinn

Golems (like the Jewish mystic variety)
I have only found a couple books with them and I *LOVE* them

my story involves a girl encountering a Celtic god, so fairies (not the tinkerbell bs kind ) ,vampires in irish myth, A TALKING DRUNK & HOMICIDAL BOOK! etc

there is much in my book



Please check out my book series . Book 2 coming soon!