Is Darren Shan really a vampire?

I read the book "Cirque De Friek" #1, but I'm still trying to figure this one out.

Is Darren Shane really a vampire? He said he was, but I think he made it up. If he is, hes probably writing the books during the night, because vampires come out at night.

I kinda hate it when these writers pretend like stuff was true. Fro example, Jk Rowlings "Beetle the Bard" book and "History of Quidditch" were so dumb, because it made it less realistic by pretending it was true. Although Darren Shan's books were good, the idea that it actually happened to him killed it