7 additional Science Fiction Sub-Genres

A few weeks ago, we talked about a few science fiction genres you could look at for your novel or short story. Today we will talk about 7 additional science fiction genres to tell your story. Some genres on this list are rarely used, so there is room to flex your creative muscles without ingrained tropes weighing you down.

1. Biopunk: Biopunk explores the intersection of biotechnology, genetics, and society. It often features genetically engineered organisms, biohacking, and the ethical implications of manipulating living organisms. Examples include Paolo Bacigalupi's "The Windup Girl" and Jeff VanderMeer's "Borne."
2. Steampunk: Steampunk blends Victorian-era aesthetics and technology with science fiction and fantasy elements. It typically features steam-powered machinery, clockwork devices, and anachronistic settings. Examples include Cherie Priest's "Boneshaker," Philip Reeve's "Mortal Engines," J. R. Martin's "The Engineer's Apprentice," and P. Djèlí Clark's "A Master of Djinn."
3. New Weird: New Weird is a subgenre that combines elements of speculative fiction, horror, and surrealism. It often features bizarre and unsettling settings, non-traditional narrative structures, and blurred genre boundaries. Examples include China Miéville's "Perdido Street Station" and Jeff VanderMeer's "Annihilation."
4. Slipstream: Slipstream blurs the line between mainstream literary fiction and speculative elements. It often features surreal and speculative elements integrated into everyday life. Examples include Kelly Link's "Magic for Beginners" and Karen Joy Fowler's "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves."
5. Space Western: Space Westerns combine the themes and aesthetics of traditional Westerns with a science fiction setting. These stories often involve frontier worlds, space outlaws, and lawless territories. Examples include Firefly (TV series) and "The Stars My Destination" by Alfred Bester.
6. Post-Cyberpunk: Post-cyberpunk is a subgenre that deconstructs and subverts some of the traditional cyberpunk tropes. It may focus more on social and political issues rather than technology's societal effect. Examples include Richard K. Morgan's "Altered Carbon" and Cory Doctorow's "Little Brother."
7. Mundane Science Fiction: Mundane SF emphasizes stories based on realistic scientific principles and plausible scenarios. It avoids fantastical elements and focuses on a more grounded approach to space travel and future technology. Examples include "The Martian" by Andy Weir and Kim Stanley Robinson's "Aurora."

These additional subgenres provide a glimpse of the diversity and creativity within science fiction, showcasing the genre's vast array of storytelling possibilities. Each subgenre brings unique themes, settings, and speculative elements, catering to various tastes and preferences within the science fiction community.