Timeframe for urban fantasy?

azbikergirl · 09-25-2005, 09:35 PM

Does "urban fantasy" necessarily mean contemporary? Would a fantasy novel taking place in an urban setting in, say, 1830, count?

Cathy C · 09-25-2005, 10:04 PM

No. Urban fantasy generally has the definition of "today/now." Contemporary, as a genre, is considered post-1910. A piece set in 1830, regardless of whether it's set in a major city is considered historical. But if it's fantasy anyway, then it'll probably be placed in the fantasy category without regard to contemporary.

Hope that helps!

azbikergirl · 09-25-2005, 11:29 PM

It does, thank you!

Sharon Mock · 09-26-2005, 12:01 AM

An urban fantasy set in 1830 would probably be magical steampunk.

dragonjax · 09-26-2005, 04:37 PM

I agree, both with the urban fantasy definition that means modern as well as the 1830s fantasy as steampunk. (Heh. I love these subdivisions of genres.)

Right now, I'm trying to decide if my WIP is a magical chick-lit novel or an urban fantasy novel.

DaveKuzminski · 09-26-2005, 07:30 PM

Of course, there will be some exceptions. You can have an urban fantasy story that happens in the past if your protagonist is from the present and returns to it in one or more instances where some action also takes place. Of course, you're now invoking time travel in your fantasy, but I don't believe there are any rules that state time travel is limited to science fiction.

azbikergirl · 09-28-2005, 03:23 AM

OK, now I'm confused again.

I've seen publications differentiate between urban fantasy and contemporary fantasy. What's the diff?

Lenora Rose · 09-30-2005, 03:02 AM

I didn't really think there was one, except that some contemporary fantasy does take place out in the country (Megan Lindholm's Cloven Hooves is set mostly in Alaska, with forays into farm country).

There is a specific subgenre of the subgenre which seems to involve street kids, bouncers, buskers, or other streetwise, punky folk, and elves. (Examples range from Mercedes Lackey-and-various-co-author's Bedlam's Bard and SERRAted Edge series', the Bordertown shared world, and Emma Bull's War for the Oaks). Maybe this is what people mean when they differentiate Urban fantasy form Contemporary fantasy in general.

09-25-2005, 09:35 PM	#1
azbikergirl AW Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 748	Timeframe for urban fantasy? Does "urban fantasy" necessarily mean contemporary? Would a fantasy novel taking place in an urban setting in, say, 1830, count? __________________ azbikergirl

09-25-2005, 10:04 PM	#2
Cathy C The real me--a Texas gal! Absolute Sage Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 5,769	No. Urban fantasy generally has the definition of "today/now." Contemporary, as a genre, is considered post-1910. A piece set in 1830, regardless of whether it's set in a major city is considered historical. But if it's fantasy anyway, then it'll probably be placed in the fantasy category without regard to contemporary. Hope that helps! __________________ Smiles! Cathy Clamp Tony's Back! Cold Moon Rising Our Website Follow me at: MySpace, Witchy Chicks, Blogger, Twitter AW Library Ooo! Shiny new cover! Coming March, 2010!

09-25-2005, 11:29 PM	#3
azbikergirl AW Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 748	It does, thank you! __________________ azbikergirl

09-26-2005, 04:37 PM	#5
dragonjax I write stuff. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Yawk Posts: 1,674	I agree, both with the urban fantasy definition that means modern as well as the 1830s fantasy as steampunk. (Heh. I love these subdivisions of genres.) Right now, I'm trying to decide if my WIP is a magical chick-lit novel or an urban fantasy novel. __________________ The Icarus Project by Jackie Kessler and Caitlin Kittredge Black and White (June 2009) Shades of Gray (June 2010) Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler (October 2010) Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler (Spring 2011) http://www.jackiemorsekessler.com

09-26-2005, 07:30 PM	#6
DaveKuzminski Preditors & Editors Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,553	Of course, there will be some exceptions. You can have an urban fantasy story that happens in the past if your protagonist is from the present and returns to it in one or more instances where some action also takes place. Of course, you're now invoking time travel in your fantasy, but I don't believe there are any rules that state time travel is limited to science fiction. __________________ When it comes to PA, the royalty check and the reality check arrive in the same envelope. Remember to be kind to writers who step in PA. They really don't know how bad it smells. The difference between PA and WLA? None. Both have the stench of dead and dying books emanating from their doorways.

09-26-2005, 12:01 AM	#4
Sharon Mock Wing nut AW Mod Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Interstitial Posts: 447	An urban fantasy set in 1830 would probably be magical steampunk.

09-28-2005, 03:23 AM	#7
azbikergirl AW Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 748	OK, now I'm confused again. I've seen publications differentiate between urban fantasy and contemporary fantasy. What's the diff? __________________ azbikergirl

09-30-2005, 03:02 AM	#8
Lenora Rose Renaissance Vixen Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 142	I didn't really think there was one, except that some contemporary fantasy does take place out in the country (Megan Lindholm's Cloven Hooves is set mostly in Alaska, with forays into farm country). There is a specific subgenre of the subgenre which seems to involve street kids, bouncers, buskers, or other streetwise, punky folk, and elves. (Examples range from Mercedes Lackey-and-various-co-author's Bedlam's Bard and SERRAted Edge series', the Bordertown shared world, and Emma Bull's War for the Oaks). Maybe this is what people mean when they differentiate Urban fantasy form Contemporary fantasy in general. __________________ LRH Author of The Illusion of Steel I now have a livejournal: Meanderings from the City of the Red Castle All Power corrupts, but we need electricity. Diana Wynne Jones

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