Gail Carriger | A Question And Answer About Steampunk

When I knew I'd be writing a little something about steampunk, I thought I'd try to figure out what people still wanted to know on the subject. Steampunk has been around for a while now, and certainly the internet has taken notice. So I took my request, as I do with most things these days, to the web. Here's what I was asked:

1. What's the best way to explain steampunk to someone totally unfamiliar with the genre?

One can simply say that steampunk is the future as the Victorians imagined it, where steam power never died, and electricity never dominated. Think hot air balloons flying to the moon. If they still seem interested at that point, one can prattle on about Jules Verne and the birth of science fiction; the current aesthetic overtones (which I describe as the love child of a BBC costume drama and Hot Topic); and the importance of creativity, found object art, and the maker mentality in spearheading the movement. If they still seem interested I suggest pointing them to this brilliant overview article by Jeff VanderMeer, which pretty much covers everything. Steampunk, An_Overview

2. So that explains the "steam," what's with the "punk?"

The term steampunk came out of the mouth of gentlemen author Mr. K.W. Jeter (Locus Magazine #315, April 1987). I;m under the impression he was using the word "punk" to encompass the idea of an alternative culture, rather than piercings and purple Mohawks.

3. So then when did steampunk become more subculture than fiction genre?

This is where things get messy. The fact is, I don't know the precise answer to that question, because over the past ten years or so steampunk as a subculture seems to simply have flowered into existence as a cultural meme. (I mean that in the original sense of the word "meme" not those horrible little quiz thingies. If you know what I meme.) It is difficult to pinpoint when and how that initially occurred. I've been into steampunk now for about five years, and for me it's like drinking tea, or buying too many pairs of impossibly uncomfortable high heals: just part of my life. Strangely enough, given that I'm an archaeologist by training, I never bothered to figure out where it came from. I don't even remember where or when I first heard the term.

4. What is steampunk turning into?

I don't want to turn this into one of those uncomfortable, indelicate, and often impolite instances that happen on the internet where people argue over a concept. I have my ideas, and while it is clear that the steampunk movement is still evolving, as these things are wont to do, I believe that it is meant to be enjoyed with civility. Take what you will from steampunk, and live whatever aspects you see fit, there is plenty to go around. I, for one, am going respect steampunk's right to privacy and not attempt to define where I believe it is going by anything more than I hope it takes me along with it on the journey.

5. Is steampunk less fattening than frypunk?

Sigh. Yes, yes it is.

Gail Carriger is the author of Soulless a comedy of manners set in a steampunk universe with vampires. Changeless, the second book in the series is due out spring of 2010. She has a page about steampunk on her website with additional resources.

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Soulless hit shelves Oct 1, 2009.