Is that a tentacle, or are you just happy to say hello?
When asked about the appeal of steampunk, it’s hard to give a serious answer. We’re talking about a group of ingenious folk who adore squids and octopi and parade around with their underwear on display, possibly wearing birdcages on their heads. I love steampunk and everything about it, but I don’t like overanalyzing the phenomenon or its participants. My head might combust.
Not that steampunk can’t be serious, but it’s enormously difficult to define beyond the standard answer of: it’s alternate history (typically Victorian) plus unusual technology (typically steam), often with themes of rebellion (which is where the punk comes in). To try and narrow it down any more than that wouldn’t be wise.
It’s that difficulty of definition that makes steampunk appealing to me. It is whatever you want it to be, and though it got its start in literature (classic authors include Jules Verne), it’s become an endeavor that spans everything from music to furniture making to fashion to iPhone apps. I maintain steampunk is an aesthetic, not a genre, but people tend to roll their eyes and tell me I’m talking like a professor.
So I can only tell you why steampunk appeals to me and let others speak for themselves. First and foremost, it’s cool. I’ve had a wardrobe of semi-Victorian clothing since I was in university and discovered Folkwear patterns (they’re still around at www.folkwear.com). I also absolutely love the fact that so many in the steampunk community are reviving old craft techniques and making just about everything by hand. In a world of shopping malls and throw-away goods, I value quality, unique items made by a person I can name. Call it a rebellion against mass-market culture if you like, but I’m content thinking of it as nifty. I’m also very much in favor of the revived interest in good manners—let’s hope that one spreads!
But back to the storytelling side of things. I’ve steeped in history and literature pretty much since my parents gave me my first book to chew, so writing historical fiction feels like I’ve finally come home. I also love the fact that most steampunk stories are packed with adventurers, pirates, and mad scientists. I live for edge-of-the-chair stories with derring-do and heroism, and here I have the scope to write that. My books have adventure, magic and romance—and my heroine, Evelina Cooper, is Sherlock Holmes’s niece. Of course there is mystery, too!
If the word “steampunk” didn’t exist, I’d call the Baskerville Affair trilogy Victorian fantasy with an ensemble cast. My books are long, but I have four important character arcs to see through by the end of the series, and I don’t cheat readers out of the full ride. In A Study in Silks, my characters start out in the elegance of London’s Mayfair and end up by the time A Study in Ashes comes along as players in a war of magic and machines that tears the Empire apart. Along the way, they have to face the darker sides of their natures and decide just how much they’re willing to risk for the futures—and the people—they desire.
So what’s the appeal of steampunk books? In many ways, they are the same as any other books. There might be flying machines and automatons, historical settings and tea, but all excellent tales are about good and evil and the complexity of the human heart. If you’ve got that, and a few good chase scenes—romantic or by dirigible—what’s not to like?
Have you read any steampunk stories?
What is your favorite thing about steampunk?
GIVEAWAY TIME
Answer one of the questions above, and you’ll be entered into a draw for these earrings.
They are adorably perfect for book lovers!
They’re hand made in Scotland and are tiny bound books with real pages.
These are ornamented with tiny silver butterflies.
Giveaway ends 9/16. Make sure you leave your email address too!!!!
Open to everyone
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A Study in Silks
September 2013
Evelina Cooper, the niece of the great Sherlock Holmes, is poised to enjoy her first Season in London’s high society, but there’s a murderer to deal with—not to mention missing automatons, a sorcerer, and a talking mouse . . .
In a Victorian era ruled by a Council of ruthless steam barons, mechanical power is the real monarch, and sorcery the demon enemy of the Empire. Nevertheless, the most coveted weapon is magic that can run machines—something Evelina has secretly mastered. But rather than making her fortune, her special talents could mean death or an eternity as a guest of Her Majesty’s secret laboratories. What’s a polite young lady to do but mind her manners and pray she’s never found out?
But then there’s that murder. As Sherlock Holmes’s niece, Evelina should be able to find the answers, but she has a lot to learn. And the first decision she has to make is whether to trust the handsome, clever rake who makes her breath come faster, or the dashing trick rider who would dare anything for her if she would only just ask . . .
Read an excerpt here: http://www.emmajaneholloway.com/books/
A little about Emma Jane Holloway
Ever since childhood, Emma Jane Holloway refused to accept that history was nothing but facts prisoned behind the closed door of time. Why waste a perfectly good playground coloring within the timelines? Accordingly, her novels are filled with whimsical impossibilities and the occasional eye-blinking impertinence—but always in the service of grand adventure.
Struggling between the practical and the artistic—a family tradition, along with ghosts and a belief in the curative powers of shortbread—Emma Jane has a degree in literature and job in finance. She lives in the Pacific Northwest in a house crammed with books, musical instruments, and half-finished sewing projects. In the meantime, she’s published articles, essays, short stories, and enough novels to build a fort for her stuffed hedgehog.
I think Steampunk is awesome! Never read any books, but I have seen dolls (on a Christmas tree!) and thought they were the best!
Steampunk Christmas dolls? I wish I’d seen that! It sounds amazingly cute.
What I love about Steampunk is how it’s an esthetic overlay of another genre. There’s Steampunk Romance, Steampunk Mystery, Steampunk Zombie Westerns… whatever sort of story you want to read, Steampunk had got you covered.
What I love about steampunk is the melding of history and technology. It is just so different and interesting!
I enjoyed teh steampunk i’ve read and my favourites are the ministry of pecular occurences by pip ballantine and tee morris
i love the chemistry beteween the characthers and the humour with teh special steampunk touch to it^^
thank you for the giveaway too
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
I love the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences–that’s a fabulous series
Absolutely loved this book as you well know
Have you read any steampunk stories? Oh yes, where I review at feeds my steampunk addiction quite well! I have to say that Abney Park the band made me curious about the genre. Then I read Meljean Brook’s Iron Sea series and Delilah S. Dawson’s and I was HOOKED.
What is your favorite thing about steampunk?
So hard to pick just one. The techonology is so much easier to understand than in sci fi. More easier to follow. The fashions.
Hi, Raonaid, it’s great to see you here! Yup, I love the fashions, too!
I started with Gail Carringer’s Parasol Protectorate series. I loved the melding of historical and tech 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I read steampunk books all the time. I love the science fiction aspect as well as the historical features and the romance. (and the fashion)
Hi, everyone and thanks so much for visiting today! I agree that the mixing of ideas is wonderfully appealing because you can get such immense variety. It’s hard to be bored with steampunk!
No I’ve not read any steampunk yet. I do have one of Mary Wines books that I need to get to though.
Lorimeehan 1 at aol dot com
No I havent read steampunk yet but I would like to. Thanks for the awesome giveaway. Please enter me.
Ive only read a couple of stempunk books so far but I really enjoyed them and cant wait to read more .Thank you for sharing with us and for the chance to win.Hope you have a great day.
flanagan@mebtel.net
Haven’t read that many. Like the technology
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
I have read a lot of steampunk stories. To name a few series: Newbury & Hobbes Investigations by George Mann, Burton & Swinburne by Mark Hodder, The Society of Steam by Andrew P. Mayer, The Ministry of Peculiar Occurences by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
My favorite thing about steampunk is the community without prejudices and fashion.
I started sewing in 2012 which does not sound extraordinary. But to do that at the age of 53 is a bit unusual.
edifanob at gmail dot com
Furthermore I would to say thank you for excellent guest post and of course for the awesome giveaway.
Winner is BN100. I am sending you email now
Kelly