I want to use a setting for my book series, but it's already used in a published book series.?

Question

I want to have the setting for my novel in Caldwell New Jersey, but it's already been used in a published series called the Black Dagger Brotherhood. My series is about vampires as is the BDB series. If i used the same setting would it seem like I'm copying the BDB series.

Answer 1

It might pique some people's interest that your VAMPIRE novel is set in the same city another popular VAMPIRE novel. If it weren't vampire then I don't think people will pay attention, but vampire fans will definitely notice because J R Ward's series is very popular and they might think you're trying to copy her or couldn't come up with your own ideas and then they'll start looking for other similarities between your books and might start "seeing" them where there aren't any. I'd just make up a town or use another city just to avoid the accusations from the die-hard J R Ward fans. Obviously just my opinion, but people can only speculate at this point about how others will react.

Answer 2

Well, think about it this way: there are a lot of stories set in London, isn't there? People don't necessarily think that one author is copying the other if they have the same setting.



But if you mean that in the BDB series it's about vampires and so is yours, now THAT is a bit of a problem. Maybe you should change your setting. Pick a state close to NJ and a city that you like. Do a bit of research. That'd help.



Good luck :)

Answer 3

I'm sure there are places that are used in many books and movies. You see a lot of stories set in New York City, but none of them are ever accused of being a copy of some other story. It's just a place for people in the story to live and work.

Answer 4

No it would not, but if the story has other similar elements some people would notice.

Answer 5

How about somewhere on the west coast? California, possibly close to the Big Sur. (Good idea, for disposing bodies for when the vamps are done draining them...)