Why my Debut Novel is NOT Steampunk!! (and what is actually is)

So many people told me I was writing steampunk because my world has steam engines, sooty factories, and gas lighting. I hated that label for my novel, though; it simply did not fit. And for a long time, I avoided defining my story’s genre entirely, because I just couldn’t call it steampunk despite everyone’s assertions that it was. I had to believe that not every story in an alternate world with steam trains and factories is “steampunk.” But an indie author can't just ignore her story's genre. . .

“Steampunk” is defined by Merriam-Webster as “science fiction dealing with 19th-century societies dominated by historical or imagined steam-powered technology.” While I understand the confusion, the book I’m writing is most definitely NOT science fiction.

Sci-Fi and Fantasy often overlap, but there are distinct differences in content. Sci-fi explores the “what ifs” of science and natural law, while fantasy completely creates its own. Ndama, the setting of my story, has fantastical creatures, plants, and elements of nature that could not and do not exist in our world. It is firmly a fantasy book.

On top of that, steampunk is well-known for its aesthetic of excessive gears, goggles, airships, inventors, and “mad scientists.” Let’s say that vibe is not really to my taste… Though I believe it's entirely possible to be done well, it's often hyper-focused on hypothetical technology, which just isn't one of my special interests.

So what genre is it? It’s a traditional fantasy world, just with the inclusion of realistic, early industrial technology.

Well, when I googled “fantasy version of steampunk,” I stumbled across Yolandie Horak’s podcast episode #1, “On Gaslamp Fantasy and Steampunk.” They explain that Gaslamp fantasy, “a subgenre of historical fiction and fantasy, with strong roots in gothic literature… set in the Victorian or Edwardian eras… with similar technological advancements as you’d find in steampunk works, but the tech isn’t as important.” They go on to say, “Gothic literature wants to draw strong emotional responses from readers, right? So Gaslamp Fantasy tends to be more emotive and character-driven.”

AJ Lancaster’s blog post titled “What even is ‘Gaslamp Fantasy,’ ” solidified it further for me. He writes, “Gaslamp is less about the technology and more about fantastical elements in a late nineteenth/early twentieth century setting.”

This is exactly what I had been looking for! As long as I’ve been writing it, I’ve felt that my story has a closer kin to fantasy and historical fiction than it has ever had to sci-fi or steampunk. In fact, that makes total sense for me; my literal two favorite genres are historical fiction(including classics) and fantasy! You’d see as much based on my extensive collection of the two. Not to mention, my novel is significantly more character-driven and emotional than a steampunk story. It looks like I’m gonna have to read some Gothic literature as homework.

As it turns out, my instincts were right. My story really wasn’t a sci-fi, steampunk, but a Gaslamp Fantasy. Rather than inventive scientific advancement, you’ll get a character-driven plot and a focus on the fantastical.

Had you ever heard of Gaslamp Fantasy before this? Do you think you would enjoy reading it? Let me know.