Should I capitalize "vampire" if all other supernatural species in my book are capitalized?

Here's one line of thought:

https://mwchase.com/2009/02/22/capi...race/species if,empire, or world still exists.

Nice link Woollybear.

Your book, your rules. Whatever best fits the story.

On the other hand, Sage makes a good point. Are vampires even considered a species, since (in most of the books that feature them) they reproduce by biting people instead of sexually. If a vampire infects an Elf, is the Elf now a different species? Or would they still be considered an Elf, just with disgusting eating habits? From the way you're describing your story, your Sunpire would be capped because they're a new species, while the vampire who sired them wouldn't. I hope this makes sense.

If, in your particular universe, all species names are capitalized and vampires are considered a species, then yes, Vampires should be capitalized. As I said, it's your world and you make the rules. However, ideally, the rules should be consistent within the context of the story. If you'd rather not cap it, then, as Sage suggested, you should provide the readers with a reason why vamps don't rate a cap V. Most won't even notice, but there's always that one...

This may or may not be relevant to your situation, but it can still serve as an example. Back in the '80s, a well-known and popular SF writer wrote a series that took place on a world that humans shared with intelligent anthropomorphic animals. I don't recall if the animal species were capped--Dog, Horse, Wombat, etc. I don't believe they were. I do remember the insult "son of a bitch" was frequently used by humans and anthromorphs alike. Which made me wonder what that world's canines had done to become the butt of such a vicious insult, and why they tolerated having themselves and their women disparaged like that. Why not "son of a mare"? Or "sow"? Or "ass", which would have covered everything on so many levels? The series ran for around seven volumes and this was never addressed. I suspect the writer didn't think through the implications of such usage in that particular society, or that there would even be any. With the Internet, this would be publically pounced on today, and the writer would have to think fast.

My answer? if vampires are considered a species and species names are capped, then cap it. If not, provide a reason. Always cover your butt.