The Science in the Subgenres of Science Fiction
While SciFi was originally as much science as fiction (not mention Fantasy before it broke off into a separate existence), the genre has since subdivided into dozens of subcategories, subgenres, and niches within niches. Now, I’m not implying that these permutations are a bad thing—only that I have a hard time keeping up with the numerous subgenres of Science Fiction, so I thought you guys (especially the purists out there) might, too. For new writers of the speculative fiction, it’s helpful for marketing purposes to know where your writing falls along the SciFi spectrum. Here’s my attempt at, an in no way, comprehensive roundup of Science Fiction and Fantasy subcategories, in no particular order.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Subgenres Sub-subgenres
Hard SciFi is exemplified by the classic work of Isaac Asimov and, more often than not, deals with the hard sciences (physics, chemistry, etc). Like award-winning contemporary SciFi author, Massimo Marino, this subgenre takes a scientist’s approach to Science Fiction. Massimo, who worked at CERN—an international lab for particle physics research near Geneva, Switzerland—then at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as well as with Apple Inc., has created a useful and entertaining Guide For Down-And-Dirty Hairy-Knuckled Sci-Fi Writers.
Alternate History asks questions like, “What if an historic event had turned out differently?” Harry Turtledove is a master of this subgenre; his Guns of the South asks what would have happened if the South had won the Civil War, while his World War II: In the Balance series blends alternate history with “first contact” by asking what would happen if aliens had invaded Earth during WWII.
Apocalyptic, Holocaust, and Post-Apocalyptic stories focus on the end of the world, or the world just after “the end.” In Niven and Pournelle’s Lucifer’s Hammer, society is wiped out by a comet and must rebuild; in Nevil Shute’s On the Beach, humanity is destroyed by a nuclear holocaust; in Stephen King’s The Stand, humanity must cope with the aftermath of a devastating plague. If you’ve read my Malja Chronicles,you know that Malja lives in a parallel world destroyed by the abuse of magic. She fights all odds to survive and find the answers behind her mysterious past.
Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy - Think Charlaine Harris and Stephanie Meyer, Dead until Dark and Twilight. Think noir, paranormal and magic. At Heroes And Heartbreakers, Larissa Benoliel defines the difference between these two popular genres. Still confused? Here’s a questionnaire that will also help distinguish between ParaNormal Romance (PNR) and Urban Fantasy (UF). If you’re a fan of this subgenre, I’ll direct you to my Dark/Urban Fantasy series Gillian Boone Series. I have a feeling you’ll take more than a glimpse.
Paranormal Mystery is pretty much what it sounds like. When ghosts meet gumshoes, you can be sure you’re reading Paranormal Mystery. In my Max Porter Mysteries, you’ll meet Max who discovers that the ghost of a 1940s detective haunts his office. Whether he likes it or not, he finds himself thrust neck-deep in a world of old mysteries and dangerous enemies.
Dystopian (Especially YA) – From Hunger Games to Divergent and Susanne Collins to Veronica Roth, this is a white-hot genre. Dystopias are characterized as a society that is the opposite of utopia, a repressed, controlled, restricted system with multiple social controls put into place via government, military, or a powerful authority figure.
Steampunk features advanced machines and the technology based on the steam power from the 19th-century. Generally Steampunk takes place in a recognizable historical period or a fantasy world subculture inspired by the literature, film, or costumes of the period.James Blaylock’s Homunculus and Tim Powers’ Anubis Gates are representative.
Space Opera – like Western “horse operas,” this subgenre often involves good guys “shooting it up” with bad guys (they could be robots, aliens, or other humans) in the depths of space or on a distant planet. Space operas (of which Star Wars is a classic example – though to be extremely accurate, this series is really Science Fantasy) don’t worry about scientific impossibilities and technical explanations tend toward the vague.
Time Travel - Again, this moniker is pretty self-explanatory. These stories involve time/space and parallel universes. Check out author Charlie Jane Anders 10 “Rules” scifi/fantasy authors should break. Anders offers insights into portal fantasies, when it’s better to tell, not show, and the possibilities of faster-than-light space travel.
Now that you’re thoroughly confused….
Accomplished SciFi/Fantasy author, Jeffrey A. Carver, a Nebula Award finalist, has created an on-line course, how to write sci fi/fantasy. Carver asserts that when it comes to Science Fiction, “there are no rules, exactly…But we do have what you might call guidelines. And that’s to have fun writing!” I couldn’t agree more.
But remember, genres and sub-genres help readers find books. And, as writers, we need to understand the conventions of our chosen genre to write satisfying fiction. Do both and it’s a win-win. Violate these conventions and you’ll likely hear about it. Not that you shouldn’t break rules. I do it all the time. On that note, one day I’ll tell you about the Steampunk short story I wrote, “Little Girl with Pink Ribbons.” 
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