Pardon me for posting, but I was wondering…I know of the “Cyberpunk” (Like Neuromancer) and “Steampunk” (Like 20,000 Leagus Under the Sea or The secret adventures of Jules Verne) genres of fiction, and I’ve even heard references to “Clock” or “Gear” punk to describe a lower-technology “medieval” varient of steampunk. My question is, as the title says; How many other “-punk” genres are there? Or are at least commonly known?
Well, thanks for your patience,
Ranchpth
Nobody should ever apologise for posting when they have a valid question, but your politeness will be rewarded smartly:
A friend (Ph.D. student specialising in Fairy Tale and VicFic) uses “elfpunk” to describe things that are like “steampunk” but also incorporate magic, like The Iron Dragon’s Daughter (Barbara Stanwick, IIRC).
I love the Utterly Excellent China Mieville (Perdido Street Station & The Scar), but it’s not quite “steampunk” to me. More “alchemypunk”.
I wouldn’t call Verne “steampunk”, BTW. For one thing, it lacks the “punk” edge that’s essential to the genre. For another, I don’t think it qualifies when you are writing about future technologies, or steam is all you have. I’d call it “Victorian SF” (along with Welles) and leave it at that.