Authors of steampunk fiction craft their novels with such elements as history, science fiction, and fantasy, combining them for thrilling reading experiences. They use imaginative storytelling to take their readers to alternate realities where steam-powered technology still reigns.
Writers like Jules Verne and H.G. Wells provide the classic works of this genre, and writers like China Mieville and Cherie Priest, among others, offer a wide variety of writing styles and perspectives in their modern fiction. Whether traditional or contemporary, steampunk writers entrall their readers with detailed steam worlds and gripping plots. Whether negotiating the skies in airships or plunging into the depths of little-known subterranean worlds, authors of steampunk fiction inspire and enchant readers with their endless creativity and imagination.
Here are twenty of the best steampunk fiction writers:
Philip Pullman, born 1946
Author if best seller His Dark Materials, Pullman employs steampunk elements to tell his imagin\tive stories. His storytelling, full of intricate plots and complex moral questions, has earned him a devoted following across many genres.
James Blaylock, born 1950
A pioneer in steampunk, Blaylock’s novels like Homunculus are filled with quirky inventors and Victorian-era escapades. His writing is known for its extraordinary gadgets and its humour.
- W. Jeter, born 1950
Jeteris the novelist who coined the term “steampunk.” He combines Victorian settings with speculative fiction, exploring the shaping of society with technology.
Michael Swanwick, born 1950
Swanwick blends steampunk with fantasy in his novels, creating vivid worlds where magic and machines coexist. His talent for weaving dystopian themes into fantastical landscapes keeps readers enthralled.
Tim Powers, born 1952
Powers is celebrated for combining history and fantasy, especially in his steampunk classic The Anubis Gates. His deeply researched stories seamlessly merge real historical events with supernatural twists.
Bruce Sterling, born 1954
Sterling co-wrote The Difference Engine, a foundational work in steampunk that imagines a world changed by early computers. His exploration of retro-futurism and technology offers biting social commentary.
Phil Foglio, born 1956
Known for his novel Girl Genius, Foglio uses humour in his steampunk graphic novels. His distinctive illustrations and clever storytelling have earned him a substantial following in the steampunk world.
Neal Stephenson, born 1959
In The Diamond Age, Stephenson imagines a future shaped by Victorian-inspired technology. His detailed world-building and deep dive into how technology affects society have made his work truly distinctive.
Paul Roland, born 1959
Roland’s works are concerned with the cultural history of steampunk. His novels have helped shape the understanding of steampunk’s influence on art and literature.
Mark Hodder, born 1962
Hodder’s Burton & Swinburne series blends steampunk with real historical figures in a reimagined Victorian era. His detailed settings and inventive plots immerse readers in a world of scientific marvels and intrigue.
Scott Westerfeld, born 1963
Westerfeld’s Leviathan series reimagines World War I with steampunk technology and bio-engineered creatures. His engaging characters and fast-paced storytelling make these books favorites among younger readers.
Jay Lake, 1964–2014
Lake’s Mainspring series creates a clockwork-driven world where history and fantasy collide. His visionary world-building and complex characters earned him praise within speculative fiction.
Ekaterina Sedia, born 1970
Sedia’s The Alchemy of Stone combines steampunk with fantasy and themes of social identity. Her evocative prose and thought-provoking narratives explore deeper societal issues through fantastical lenses.
Jim Butcher, born 1971
Butcher’s The Cinder Spires series mixes airships, adventure, and alternate history in a steampunk world. His sharp dialogue and fast-paced action draw readers into an imaginative world of crystal-powered technology.
China Miéville, born 1972
Miéville’s Perdido Street Station sets his vivid, surreal tales in gritty, industrial steampunk landscapes. His subversive narratives challenge traditional genre conventions while immersing readers in strange new worlds.
Cassandra Clare, born 1973
Clare’s The Infernal Devices trilogy blends steampunk with supernatural battles in Victorian London. Her richly drawn characters and suspenseful plots captivate readers, blending romance with thrilling action.
Cherie Priest, born 1975
Priest’s Boneshaker blends steampunk with alternate history and the supernatural in Civil War-era America. Her vivid descriptions and fast-paced plots transport readers into eerie, steam-powered worlds.
Gail Carriger, born 1976
Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series combines steampunk with humor, featuring a Victorian world of werewolves and vampires. Her charming, witty characters and delightful world-building make her stories stand out.
Chris Wooding, born 1977
Wooding’s Tales of the Ketty Jay features airships, pirates, and fast-paced steampunk adventure. His thrilling plots and ragtag group of characters create an exhilarating blend of high adventure and steampunk aesthetics.
George Mann, born 1978
Mann’s Newbury & Hobbes series mixes detective fiction with steampunk mysteries set in Victorian London. His sharp, atmospheric storytelling and blend of supernatural elements make for gripping reads.
And that’s our list of the 20 top steampunk fiction writers. What’s your take on these – any surprises, or steampunk authors not on this list that you feel should make the cut?