Weird Westerns discussion

Has anyone ever read or come across a Steampunk Western novel? Has anyone perhaps written one? I know some may not like or be familiar with Steampunk but I've recently taken a liking to it and am looking to read one with western elements. I've even recently thought of a concept for a story involving the two genres.

If anyone has any feedback, recommendedations or feedback please feel free to chime in.

Mike Resnick's
The Buntline Special (A Weird West Tale)


The whole series is a lot of fun. Quick reads.

The Sept-Oct group read was for steampunk.

I love Steampunk Westerns, wholeheartedly. Some of my favorites:

Dead Iron (1st in a series)
Karen Memory
Daisy Kutter: The Last Train

I haven't finished them, but I'm pretty sure Felix Gilman's books fit into the steampunk spectrum.

Jim wrote: "I haven't finished them, but I'm pretty sure Felix Gilman's books fit into the steampunk spectrum."

I'd heard that about The Half-Made World a few times, but I've only gotten maybe 30 pages in before seeing no steam, as it were. They're kind of interesting alternate history (is that still being called dieselpunk? Or is that something else?). If there's actual steampunk involved, I'll give it another shot.

Dieselpunk is just anything with a focus on diesel fuel. Alt History is just alt history.

Huh. I first ran into the definition at this Facebook group, which describes "Dieselpunk is an alternate history/reality science fiction sub genre that takes much of it's flavor and attitude from cyberpunk. It is usually set between 1912-1957 and like it's cousin steampunk it is retro-futurism. Even though it is compared to and pigeon-holed with steampunk it actually has more in common with cyberpunk. Think of it as cyberpunk as seen through a pulp, art deco, filter. If you like all things early 20th century vintage and retro-future you'll love Dieselpunk."

That said, does anyone know of any dieselpunk Westerns?

I love steampunk Westerns too! :) I've seen a bunch of Weird Westerns that are alternate history/reality, but I'm struggling to come up with stories set after the 19th century. You know?

Same Zoe. My cousin told me about Steampunk a few years back but I didn't take an immediate interest at first. I looked into it and read my first at the beginning of this year and loved it. I also like Westerns and know the two genres are combined so I thought I ask if anyone's read any and what to recommend.

Oddmonster: Okay, that's more along the lines of what I've usually seen. Though much like steampunk, it doesn't necessarily have to be alt history. It's still pretty rad. I haven't seen any dieselpunk westerns though. Well, maybe the movie The Good, The Bad, & The Weird might count. It'd love to read one though.

Ashe: Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm wondering if Six-String Samurai qualifies as a dieselpunk Western. Definitely set after 1900, definitely alt-history, Western as heck, weird and beautiful.

I still need to watch that but from what I know of it, i'd say it counts.

Zoe wrote: "I love steampunk Westerns too! :) I've seen a bunch of Weird Westerns that are alternate history/reality, but I'm struggling to come up with stories set after the 19th century. You know?"

Check out The Curse of Jacob Tracy. I'm hoping to grab it soon--I liked the sample.

Oh cool! I hadn't thought that was a steampunk tale at all. Thanks for the rec!

Stonie wrote: "Mike Resnick's
The Buntline Special (A Weird West Tale)


The whole series is a lot of fun. Quick reads."

I've heard about this book. Mike Resnick has quite a fwe interesting books. If I ever read any of his, this would be the first one I'd check out.

Stonie wrote: "Mike Resnick's
The Buntline Special (A Weird West Tale)


The whole series is a lot of fun. Quick reads."

LOVED The Buntline Special. Great take on the Earp/Holliday mythos.

Oddmonster wrote: "That said, does anyone know of any dieselpunk Westerns?"

The Austin Job as well as some of David Mark Brown's other Books work as Dieselpunk.

I own all 4 of Mike Resnicks Weird West Tales. Just need to read them now.

So I've just recently read The Buntline Special and The Doctor and the Kid and I loved them. I still have the other two in the series to read and look forward to reading them. If you want to know my thoughts on the 2 I read feel free to check out my reviews on them.

I haven't actually read these, but they're on my TBR list and I've heard they've got elements of a weird western, and steampunk:

Boneshaker
Dreadnought

Rosemary wrote: "I haven't actually read these, but they're on my TBR list and I've heard they've got elements of a weird western, and steampunk:

Boneshaker
Dreadnought"

Boneshaker and Dreadnought are two of my very favorite weird western/steampunk mashups. You're in for a treat!

I really need to read Boneshaker. My library has it. Gotta get on that.

Once my library allows people back I'm going to take out Boneshaker.

audrey wrote: "Boneshaker and Dreadnought are two of my very favorite weird western/steampunk mashups. You're in for a treat!."

I'm definitely looking forward to reading them! They sound awesome.

I have read Boneshaker and was not impressed. It just wasn't for me. I rated it 2*, since the characters were flat and boring to me, and the whole plotline didn't contain too much exciting action.

I am writing a steampunk-western right now, but it may be years before it's coming out. x)

Hmm I guess it's not everyone's cup of tea. I still wanna read it. I didn't realize there's so many books in the series.

Nikki wrote: "I have read Boneshaker and was not impressed. It just wasn't for me. I rated it 2*, since the characters were flat and boring to me, and the whole plotline didn't contain too much exciting action. ..."

That's a bummer. Because you're writing your own, I'd love to hear if you found bits of it where you thought, "Aha! I'm going to take that in this other direction!"

I need to start book three of the weird west series by Mike Resnick.

I actually attended a Steampunk Festival in my town. They hold one every year. I had a great time. The Steampunk jacket I ordered won't come in till Monday but I rocked a nice Steampunk shirt and hat. It was a lot of fun.