Sept-Oct 2015 Group Read

[Ashe]

Howdy, all. The winner for the fall group read was Steampunk. As such, I figured the reins for "weird western" could go a little lax here. Since most Steampunk at least tends to be Victorian era stuff, you'll get plenty of crossover. Here's some suggestions:

The Buntline Special
Dead Iron
Steampunk
Iron & Blood
Dead Man's Hand: An Anthology of the Weird West
And finally, our own Philip Morgan's book, The Hopewell Conspiracy: A Darkstar Steam Novel.

If you'd like to look around to find something else, the genre page is pretty extensive.

Happy reading, everyone!

[Quentin]

I will say I've read most of Philip's work, and I found it to be excellent Steampunk. I'll probably read his newest story as my participation in this group read.

[audrey]

Some other specifically Weird West steampunk titles: Karen Memory, and The Half-Made World, which I still have to finish from the last round (my bad, but August was a terrible beast that couldn't be put out of its misery too soon). Sky Pirates of the Rio Grande might qualify? I'm not sure? Anyone read it who can weigh in?

For folks who like their steampunk mixed in with graphic novels, Copperhead: Vol. 1 and Daisy Kutter: The Last Train, (both of which I enjoyed immensely).

[Ashe]

I'm gonna say Sky Pirates counts. Airships are such a major staple at this point.

[Justin]

The only Steampunk book I've read to date was Steampunk Omnibus which I read at the beginning of the year. I really enjoyed it and found it very unique and very different from any other genres I've read. There is a story in there all about Sky Pirates as well. I recommend it!

[Stonie]

Love Steampunk novels, myself. Just picked up Clockwork Scoundrels but haven't cracked it open yet.

[Gwyn]

I've had Dead Man's Hand sitting on my shelf since Christmas so I'll probably go with that :)

[Jim]

Like most anthologies, I found Dead Man's Hand hit or miss. Some stories I read through to the end, and some I started and gave up on a couple pages in.

[Ashe]

Yeah, it's a pretty mixed bag. I think I only managed to get a fourth of the way in. I may just pluck out random stories next time I hit it.

[Quentin]

I read this one for our Steampunk read, it's short and good. If you haven't read any of Philip's work and you like steampunk you really need to check it out. I'm not really a huge steampunk fan, but his stuff is very entertaining.

[Justin]

I find Steampunk to be an acquired taste. I could probably read one every once in a while but I probably couldn't read a ton one after another.

[Ashe]

I started reading Philip's book and I'm digging it so far. Good feel for things. Like the feel of the world so far. The area where Judes lands gave me an idea for a locale for my stuff too. :D

[[deleted user]]

Ashe wrote: "I started reading Philip's book and I'm digging it so far. Good feel for things. Like the feel of the world so far. The area where Judes lands gave me an idea for a locale for my stuff too. :D"

Thank you, sai!

[Ashe]

Yeah man. We have some similar bits of worldbuilding going on too, it's interesting to see.

[[deleted user]]

I think so as well. Great minds, perhaps?

[Ashe]

Well I don't mean to brag but I'm amazing.

[Karen]

I'd love to hear any comments about David B. Riley's new Steampunk Emporium #1. (Full disclosure: I have a story in it.) I write and read a wide range of speculative fiction; this was my first foray into Weird Western. The inspiration came from reading Howard Waldrop and Emma Bull, and from a call for another anthology, Lost Trails, which is due out in the next month or so from Wolfsinger Press. Both anthologies have stories by Scott Cupp.

[Ashe]

Figure I'll just copy and paste my review for Philip's book. It is spoiler-free.

I enjoyed this book. I will say, I'd probably have enjoyed it more if not for some focus problems I was having (ADD can be pretty awful, amirite folks?). The basic premise of a magical, post-apocalyptic world filled with other races, alien tech, and gunslingers right up my alley. The story clipped along at a smooth pace though there were areas that felt stiff, though I am unsure whether that was the aforementioned ADD issues I've been having lately or actual stiffness. I believe this was Philip's debut novel so it may have been the prose. There's a nice combination of pulp and epic feel to it and Judes is a pretty good gray-hero. Not quite a full on anti-hero but he's skirting on the edge of darkness (especially by the end). Dotson's a fun character. I will say that the big bad himself, Darus Hopwell, was a little flat to me. He's mostly just a spoiled sociopath and not a particular cunning one, despite his words to the contrary. I look forward to reading the next book and seeing where things go for Judes.

[Jason]

Hi all! I am new to the group and not sure how or where to post my question, so, I apologize if this isn't the right spot for this!

I am looking for a copy of Merkabah Rider: Tales of a High Planes Drifter! I can't find one anywhere!!!!! Can anyone help?

Thanks!!!!

[Quentin]

Hey Jason

I think it's still out of print. I would suggest messaging Ed the author and he can probably hook you up with a copy, it's worth a try I think.

[Justin]

On a similar note, I actually just watched High Plains Drifter last night. I'd seen it once before. Such a good movie and Clint Eastwood makes such a good badass in the film.

[Jason]

Yeah it is OOP, and I did hit him up on twitter, said he was out of copies.

Agreed, High Plain Drifter is sooooooo good.

[Ashe]

Unfortunately, the Merkabah Rider books are gonna get hard to find until Ed re-releases the first three once he gets the third one's rights back.

[Jason]

Any idea when that will be?

[Ashe]

I can't remember if he gets it back at the beginning of the year or in the spring. No idea when he'll be re-releasing either. I would suggest contacting him on facebook about an ebook.