Alpha, Day 4

Question: in the strictest definition, can a story without magic be considered "fantasy"? Examples that come to mind are Guy Gavriel Kay's Sarantine Mosaic series and Ellen Kushner's Swordspoint. But Sarantine Mosaic does touch upon magic indirectly--the zubir, the light globes in the streets of Sarantium. Swordspoint is an alternate history, but it has no connection to our history. And plus, swordsmen! Male/male lovers! Fantasy of manners! (Is it a coincidence that these authors are also the two that have influenced me the most in my own writing?)

I'm typing this in the Alpha dorm common room (no internet, unfortunately). Cassie, one of the staffers sitting next to me, pointed out that Jo Walton's Tooth and Claw could also be considered borderline fantasy. Other than all the major characters being dragons. (Disclaimer: I haven't read this yet, though I want to very much. Don't quote me on secondhand information please.)

Thoughts while practicing the art of procrastination

Apparently "fantasy of manners" (which I guess I write, in connection with the general term "political fantasy") is also called "mannerpunk." But mannerpunk sounds so inelegant! It completely contradicts the whole idea.

And in other news, yhlee is quoted in the mythpunk Wikipedia article. Link goes to a 404, though.