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Could someone please give me the writers definition for: Steampunk?

Just off the top of my head, it's a setting in which there's a level of technology that operates off of steam of similar power sources. Normally, the technology is more fantastic and advanced than those sources would actually allow. It maybe even be a kind of "Magitech," where magic is involved.

That's by no means definitive.

Thanks for helping. James

I typically think science fiction that takes place in Victorian England with most things powered by steam. As mentioned the technology would seem out of place. I haven't read many steampunk novels but the first that comes to mind is The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer, although I'm not sure it counts.

I typically think of steampunk as a future as envisioned by the past. Basically it's what people thought the logical progression of steam technology would be when it first started coming out. Mainly it's set during the Victorian Period, though that's not necessarily the case. It's what people thought the future might be back then, and prefers the scientific understanding of the time as opposed to that of now. Think The Lost World or 20000 Leagues Under the Sea, but taken to the point where the fantastic inventions there are more commonplace. Basically it's science fiction, but the science is a rather limited understanding of steam technology. Or at least that's how I see it.

I was referring to it in the form of a writing genre. I didn't think people would be using it that definition as a genre.

Oh I don't know. That's rather what I use when writing steampunk. I find that it's the most useful way for me to envision what steampunk is as a genre, because otherwise it can be a very mercurial label to pin down. I mean, I know there is stuff out there that basically takes gaslight fantasy and calls it steam, or things like that, but I like to think of steampunk as a bit more science minded than that. It's not paranormal, really, though I have read good examples that incorporate paranormal elements to some degree (Maljean Brook's Iron Seas series is one of, if not the, strongest steampunk settings I know of, and has some nearly paranormal elements). Again, as a writer, I think of steampunk as science fiction but using the science of Victorian and pre-Victorian society. Steam technology and science. Of course, there's also steam and sorcery and things like that, and I don't really think there is a whole lot of point to splitting hairs to that degree, but if I was writing for a steampunk anthology and wasn't given specific guidelines by the publication I would operate under the definition I gave. There is always going to be some wiggle room in any genre, though, so I guess the important thing is that it feels "steampunk-y," which is wholly subjective. Still...

I get it now. Thanks for your input.
James.

I was going to comment but I can see you're likely getting fed up of replies now that you understand