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Discussion » Questions » Books and Literature » Did you know there are about 45 sub-genres of science fiction?

Did you know there are about 45 sub-genres of science fiction?

I looked them up. Some I had never even heard of! Do you know any of them? Examples: Afrofuturism. Alien Invasion. Anthropological science fiction. Black science fiction. Biopunk. Comic science fiction. Cyberpunk. Deco punk. Diesel punk. 

Posted - August 4, 2017

Responses


  • 5354
    Not so much Genres as Themes. Standard settings for the given story, This tell the reader a lot about the background, and without it backgrounds become very difficult to fill in, presicely because Science fiction is usually about science that does not exist in current reality. How would you explain the impact of automobile to someone who only knew Horsedrawn transport? How would you explain the need for "the New Jersey Turnpike" and for multi-storey parking garages to that reader ?

    And then there is Science Fiction stories that are totally unlike any of the 35 'genres' on your list.
    Like this one: "REPENT, HARLEQUIN!" SAID THE TICKTOCKMAN
      August 4, 2017 8:43 PM MDT
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  • 46117
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    When we have Afrofuturism as well as "black science fiction", I just don't care that much. 

      August 4, 2017 8:45 PM MDT
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  • 2515
    @Shar: Definition of Black science fiction and Afrofuturism. 
      August 4, 2017 10:03 PM MDT
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  • 2515
    @Shar. Page 2. 
      August 4, 2017 10:04 PM MDT
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  • 2515
    @Jakob & Shar to the Rona, HarLon Ellison is listed as an American writer of short stories, novels, essays, and television and film scripts. His principal genre is "speculative fiction". This is also on my list of genres. He also writes fantasy, mystery, horror, and film and television criticism.

    I will post the definitions of the two genres you mentioned, Shar. 

      August 4, 2017 10:00 PM MDT
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