Science Fiction and Steam Punk

Science Fiction and Steam Punk at SW (2014-03-20 08:38:02)

Steven C. Davis is a bookseller, science fiction writer and host of the web radio show: Gothic, Alternative and Steampunk Progressive Rock show (GASP) on BLAST 1386 (Reading College). He visited Slough Writers to talk about his work.

Steven opened the session asking members what their definition of science fiction was. There were many different views and opinions as to what the genre incorporates. Steven gave an example of Margaret Atwood’s work which received the Arthur C. Clarke award for science fiction, but which the author has always strongly suggested is not, describing it as speculative fiction. Steven explained how science fiction nowadays can cross so many literary genres and is quite often against a dystopian background setting.

A sub-genre of sci-fi is Steampunk, featuring steam-powered machinery in a 19th century setting and which Steven explained has evolved a counter culture with followers dressing up in Victorian costume and engaging in pursuits such as tea-duelling. Steven then read extracts of his publications Cornix Sinistra and The Heart’s Cog Imperative. It was a fascinating evening introducing us to several new ideas and aspects of SF.