Steampunk Reads discussion
Any Writers among you steampunk Readers? (steampunk source list)
Leviathan is actually more of a Diesel Punk than Steampunk - a different, post-Edwardian era, different technology, different lifestyle. Personally, I would suggest by starting with non-steampunk books happening (or even written) in the Victorian period, to get the general feeling of the era and then start adding the fantastic elements into it. It will give your work a more authentic, less cliched feeling.
Hi Tami.My debut novel, Greaveburn, is due for release in August, and that's steampunk. I'm also working on my next novel which is a more straight-forward Steampunk feel. I found that kid's reference books were great for research. You can get them cheaply and they have lots of pictures and a good overview of the whole era.
Hope that helps!
Craig
If you read some novels written in that time period, like Jules Verne, that could help. I read a couple of Cherie Priest's books and am reading Devon Monk's first Age of Steam book and it's pretty good. It's a bit on the fantasy side, but still fun.If you want to watch a couple fun steampunk videos, try The League of Steam. They have a lot of interesting gadgets and costumes that are very steampunk. Also, there's a video called Jasper Morello (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vORsKy...) which is a grim look at a steampunk future, but very interesting on city life and travel. I hope this helps.
Ah, all of these are excellent.Thanks for the difference James. I'll keep it in mind as I read.
Craig- congrats on releasing! That's awesome. I'll keep an eye out for Greaveburn. Are you going to list it here on Goodreads?
Kid books, that's such a good idea. And I love photos.
Thank you for all the suggestions Kevin, I'll dig around and see what I come up with. The videos are a great place, I'll start there.
--//
If anyone would like to take a look, I have an excerpt posted from the story I've started. Bearing in mind my utter lack of knowledge there are details here that will change but until then it's available to read: http://www.tamiveldura.com/2012/06/ap...
SFW. The adult warning applies to the blog in general. The excerpt is safe. :D
I'll definitely be posting Greaveburn on here. I'm willing to pimp it ANYWHERE so people will read it hahaha. Keep your peepers peeled in mid-August for some release juicyness. Or check out the blog where it'll all be happening.I've found some really good kids books. I hope they help you out. Keep us posted on how you get on!
Craig
I will keep you up to date for sure. I'm stalking you here already but I'll check out the blog too.Now if only my work day would end so I can go buy some books!
I am a writer, but my genre is science fantasy. I love steampunk, and have read a lot of newer steampunk books. I think reasearching the actual era would be a good idea. A few good steampunk books I know of are the Newburry and Hobbes books by George Mann; The Girl in the Steal Corset by Kady Cross; Agatha H and the Airship City by Phil and Kaja Foglio, and Airborn by Kenneth Oppel.
I'll add all four to my list, thank you Brandi!I should start jotting these down somewhere.
Hey Brandi, how do you define Science Fantasy? Specifically, how does it differ from science fiction or steampunk or fantasy?
Hi Tami. I have two steampunk novels out with Snowbooks. They're part of my Blackwood & Harrington Mystery series. Titles are "The Martian Ambassador" and "The Feaster From the Stars". I'm currently at work on the third instalment, called "The Gods of Atlantis". Unfortunately, they're only published in the UK at present, but you can order them from Amazon.co.uk.I'd also recommend that you read as widely as you can in the literature of the time, especially H G Wells and Jules Verne. As far as research goes, I'd recommend "The Victorians" by A N Wilson and "London Labour & the London Poor" by Henry Mayhew.
Best of luck to you!
Alan
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/97...
Oh wow, Thank you Alan! Congratulations on so many novels, that's not easy to do. I'll put them all on my list.
You're very welcome, Tami. It's a lovely genre in which to write. Full of possibilities!
Jim wrote: "Tami wrote: "In the meanwhile I've developed a steampunk story I've started writing and I've quickly realized I have almost no knowledge whatsoever of the genre or time period. Now I'm in the resea..."I'm with Jim - don't underestimate the power of Wikipedia. It may be frowned upon by scholars, but for fiction research it's irreplaceable (do check your primary sources though as much as possible). It's also great for scavenging plot ideas - real history is often much more fun than anything writers can come up with.
Actually visiting the places you write about (unless the setting is completely made up) doesn't hurt either :)
Jim has a very good point about readers checking, which I know to my cost! For instance, I had an interplanetary dirigible which was controlled by a joystick. One reviewer on Amazon commented that joysticks were not developed until two years after my story takes place! Be careful, Tami...
I'm planning a steampunk Victorian mystery now. I love reading about steampunk machines, but since I'm not terribly mechanically minded myself, I'm having a little trouble coming up with stuff. I've got weapons and clothes down. Any suggestions or sources that might help?
Hi Hazel. The Victorians had some wonderfully wacky ideas for mechanical contrivances. For instance, the London Underground was originally going to be an "atmospheric railway", with the trains powered by compressed air. It didn't work because they couldn't create a tight enough seal, and the air kept escaping. They were also enthusiastic about a Channel Tunnel linking England and France. In a steampunk world, you can take ideas that don't work, and make them work with a bit of fantasy tweaking. You can also enhance stuff that actually worked, and make it do additional things it couldn't in reality.Here's a good website with lots of info on Victorian technology.
http://www.victorianweb.org/technolog...
Alan wrote: "Hi Hazel. The Victorians had some wonderfully wacky ideas for mechanical contrivances. For instance, the London Underground was originally going to be an "atmospheric railway", with the trains powe..."Thanks Alan, I think that will help a lot. I've got several books coming from the library on the Victorian era. Just waiting for them to get here!
Oh, yay technology links! I love it.My story is actually set quite some time in the future, it's almost more space opra/sci fi than it is steampunk. But I really really like the idea of a brass steam powered space ship, so I'm going with it.
Obviously if the technology wasn't there to make an air-tight seal for an air powered anything than a spaceship would never work but that's part of the fiction I'm working on. Technology has advanced but the Victorian values and traditions are still in force.
So I'm looking at social structure, morals, things of that nature more than technical ability of the time.
I have a good way around the airtight seal problem, Tami. I use Martian rubber! :-)
I write alternative history stuff (although no steampunk yet) and have found a cool website: http://steampunkworkshop.com/. This may have some information for you. For historical research, I've found that the DK Eyewitness series is wonderful. They're classified as Juvenile in libraries and bookstores but we adults love them too.
Ghoekzema wrote: "I write alternative history stuff (although no steampunk yet) and have found a cool website: http://steampunkworkshop.com/. This may have some information for you. For historical research, I've fou..."I usually get kids books to research ;) They always seem to be so much more helpful and to the point.
Ghoekzema wrote: "I write alternative history stuff (although no steampunk yet) and have found a cool website: http://steampunkworkshop.com/. This may have some information for you. For historical research, I've fou..."I've used the Eyewitness stuff, too. Good sources of pics etc.
"spaceship is a little too wacky for my suspension of disbelief."I understand, Jim. It certainly won't be for everyone and I'm half in the steampunk genre and half in the epic sci fi genre with this one so there will be sci fi folks who won't like it either. That's ok! As long as I have fun writing it, I don't mind :D
Thank you guys for all these awesome sources. I can't wait to really dig in here.
I want to read all of your stories too!
"Right now I've got a friend with a degree in Egyptology looking up a couple of phrases in Ancient Egyptian for this same story. If someone checks the grammar, it will be correct. "
I am definitely not a history buff. I don't even remember my own birthday sometimes, so I'm fully aware of how much research I'll need to get into. Thankfully I'm a member of a reenactment troop so I have some sources that are much better at this than I am.
Jaq wrote: "Re-enactors can be great for research, they often become experts in their 'period'. :)"Indeed. I have been a member of the troop for several years. We're Elizabethan, not Victorian, but I know more than a few people who know more history than I know what to do with. At this point, everyone is a useful source.
Jaq wrote: "Re-enactors can be great for research, they often become experts in their 'period'. :)"Re-enactors are great to watch and talk to because they throughly love the time period they re-enact for. In some ways, they are much more helpful than your typical historian because they have attempted to re-create the time period they study.
"they have attempted to re-create the time period they study."That's exactly what I'm hoping to find in my contacts. I'm sure some of them know other reenactors for the appropriate time period.
Tami wrote: ""they have attempted to re-create the time period they study."That's exactly what I'm hoping to find in my contacts. I'm sure some of them know other reenactors for the appropriate time period."
Also Tami, re-enactors always love to talk about what they do and share their love of history with everyone. It's the same with historical fictions writers (I know because I am one ;) and I have contacted lots of writers and museums but the writers are always the nicest and most helpful.
Hazel wrote: "Tami wrote: ""they have attempted to re-create the time period they study."That's exactly what I'm hoping to find in my contacts. I'm sure some of them know other reenactors for the appropriate t..."
That's why I'm here! And you guys have been extremely helpfull, thank you again :-)
You might take a look at Writing Steampunk by Beth Daniels. Did wonders for my work...
Jack wrote: "You might take a look at Writing Steampunk by Beth Daniels. Did wonders for my work..."I was looking at the book on Amazon. I might add it to my next order. Good to know it's helpful.
Hazel wrote: "Jack wrote: "You might take a look at Writing Steampunk by Beth Daniels. Did wonders for my work..."
I was looking at the book on Amazon. I might add it to my next order. Good to know it's helpful."
This may not be for everybody. There are basically three parts. The first describes how to build and populate worlds, and that's what clicked for me. It sort of "gave me permission" to try things that seemed a little too "out there" to my intuition. The second is a list of internet references on everything from wardrobes and coinage to forms of entertainment in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. The last section is appendices highlighting the major events and technological developments of the same period. Oh, yeah, then tucked in at the end is a large list of steampunk-themed reads. You (and everyone) are invited to visit me at www.jackshideout.com. Click the Steampunk tab when you get there, and you can see where this gave me permission to go. If you follow the progression, you'll see the straight "mechanical" stories gradually add a supernatural component, and it seems to fit. I probably wouldn't have tried it without that book.
Best of luck to you!
I was looking at the book on Amazon. I might add it to my next order. Good to know it's helpful."
This may not be for everybody. There are basically three parts. The first describes how to build and populate worlds, and that's what clicked for me. It sort of "gave me permission" to try things that seemed a little too "out there" to my intuition. The second is a list of internet references on everything from wardrobes and coinage to forms of entertainment in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. The last section is appendices highlighting the major events and technological developments of the same period. Oh, yeah, then tucked in at the end is a large list of steampunk-themed reads. You (and everyone) are invited to visit me at www.jackshideout.com. Click the Steampunk tab when you get there, and you can see where this gave me permission to go. If you follow the progression, you'll see the straight "mechanical" stories gradually add a supernatural component, and it seems to fit. I probably wouldn't have tried it without that book.
Best of luck to you!
Tami wrote: "Hey Brandi, how do you define Science Fantasy? Specifically, how does it differ from science fiction or steampunk or fantasy?"Well I love to write about traditionally fantasy creatures like dragons and unicorns and such, but I don't like magic, so I always ground my books in science. Really I just like the warm feeling of fantasy worlds and wanted to bring that into the science fiction realm and make people realize that just because it's science fiction it doesn't need to be a cold technological world.
Jack wrote: "Hazel wrote: "Jack wrote: "You might take a look at Writing Steampunk by Beth Daniels. Did wonders for my work..."I was looking at the book on Amazon. I might add it to my next order. Good to kno..."
Mine's more along the lines of Jules Verne, there's nothing supernatural or paranormal in it, I'm just coming up with interesting contraptions and adding a little bit of advanced scientific research. I've found that the most inspiring thing is reading other steampunk or just looking at things from the Victorian era. I'll stop by your website sometime, thanks!
I'm a steampunk writer. I have a story out in the anthology Dreams of Steam II: Brass and Bolts. I'd recommend that anthology and the original Dreams of Steam as a good way to get a broad look at the genre. (A third anthology in this series should be coming out this fall.)For research, you might also consider checking out http://www.victorianlondon.org/ It's a great resource for Victorian-age items and information.
Alli wrote: "I'm a steampunk writer. I have a story out in the anthology Dreams of Steam II: Brass and Bolts. I'd recommend that anthology and the original Dreams of Steam as a good way to get a broad look at..."I've been finding some more steampunk things to read, and I'll have to take a look at those anthologies. Research is going slow though because I'm researching for another book as well and also editing new newest novel for publication so it's going to be a while ;)
Hi, Tami. Having written for most of my life, I'm relatively new to this genre. Nonetheless, I put my hand to it less than a year ago, and according to some with expertise in the field, it has come out all right. It's a matter of loving the field for its own considerable merits, and not stretching it beyond your own comfort level; it's pretty much a case of, if you can write fantasy, SF, or adventure, you can write steampunk, which just combines all of those into one big rip-roarin' action story.
I have carefully refrained from broadcasting my own work in these groups, but as you asked, you can find my humble stories at www.jackshideout.com/steampunk-storie...
Note to administrator: if this is not appropriate here, PLEASE pull it down at once, and accept my humble apology; she DID ask...
I have carefully refrained from broadcasting my own work in these groups, but as you asked, you can find my humble stories at www.jackshideout.com/steampunk-storie...
Note to administrator: if this is not appropriate here, PLEASE pull it down at once, and accept my humble apology; she DID ask...
Hi everyone, I've just joined the group. I'm also a writer (mainly scripts) and I'm interested in steampunk, but haven't read any. Can anybody recommend a good place to start?
Pippa222 wrote: "Hi everyone, I've just joined the group. I'm also a writer (mainly scripts) and I'm interested in steampunk, but haven't read any. Can anybody recommend a good place to start?"Pippa, one of my favorite steampunk series is Kenneth Oppel's Airborn trilogy. It's really good. And then of course you can always read the originals like 20,000 Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne and all that.
Tami, your post is really generous and helpful for writers interested in writing in this genre. Could I ask everyone to, please, add the book link, as there are often several books with the same title (Boneshaker being the first example I looked up :(). Also it's terribly daunting when everyone is talking about books you don't know and there are no links. i hope I haven't offended anyone through this... :/ (If anyone doesn't know how to do it you just click, 'add book/author above your post.)Now I'll sneak off and shut my bossy mouth!...
Hi Hazel, thanks for your suggestion. Just the title, Airborn' attracts me, and I will read that. Funny enough I read lots of Jules Verne when I was a teenager but hadn't really thought of it as steampunk, as I suppose it's doing things in the opposite direction. :D
Hi Jac, thanks for this. I don't have an e-reader and do prefer to stick to print books though. It looks good though. I love humour.
Somehow I'd missed this thread up until now. I have written a steampunk short story called "A Walk in the Park" which was published in the Steampunk Special issue of Flagship Magazine. That particular issue got deleted from Goodreads in the Amazon purge, since that issue is only available through Amazon.Here is the Amazon link for anyone interested:
FlagShip Steampunk Special Issue
The issue is full of Steampunk stories, naturally. I think there are stories by eight different authors.
I've taken the characters from my short story and written the first of several novels chronicling their adventures. That book is in alpha editing now. I'm hoping to place the book, and possibly the series. We'll see.
Doc
Brandi wrote: "Tami wrote: "Hey Brandi, how do you define Science Fantasy? Specifically, how does it differ from science fiction or steampunk or fantasy?"Well I love to write about traditionally fantasy creatur..."
I enjoy fantasy books that are grounded in reality/science. Do you have anything written that I can take a look at online? for sale or free?
Thank you for the links Alli, I'll check out the anthologies for sure. I like those, they give you multiple points of view from several authors at once.
Pippa222 wrote: "Hi everyone, I've just joined the group. I'm also a writer (mainly scripts) and I'm interested in steampunk, but haven't read any. Can anybody recommend a good place to start?"Hey Pippa, welcome! If you take a look at my first post I have a list of sources that people have suggested so far. You should be able to google most of them. A few are links to research sites.
Pippa222 wrote: "Tami, your post is really generous and helpful for writers interested in writing in this genre. Could I ask everyone to, please, add the book link, as there are often several books with the same ti..."
Oh yes, if you have a direct link to somewhere these books can be purchased I'll edit my list up at the top.
I've got two steampunk short stories written, following a girl and her steam-mech Teapot as she seeks adventure on the open roads. I've set them in the distant future, where humanity has gained and lost vast technology, so they've regressed to steam tech; so far, though, that's simply been background detail.I don't normally plug myself, but this seems to be the place for it. Sadly, these are only available as e-books.
p.s. I would add that the secret to a steampunk story is probably the story; focus on steampunk elements only to the extent that you are comfortable with them. If you're going to focus on a piece of steampunk technology, think about it until you know it and love it - it doesn't need to be realistic, just consistent. (I wrote my second story and was reviewing it when I remembered, "Doesn't Teapot have a periscope?")
That's good advice, David. I'm not totally going for the whole heavy steampunk feel. I just want little reflections of it to make it have the feel of steampunk without overriding the story. And as for knowing and loving the contraptions--who couldn't love a Victorian version of the latte maker?
David wrote: "I've got two steampunk short stories written, following a girl and her steam-mech Teapot as she seeks adventure on the open roads. I've set them in the distant future, where humanity has gained and..."Oooooh, things to read...yes! :D
I'm writing it into a story ;) My protagonist is a coffee hound, haha. If you go to my blog ( http://hazelwest.blogspot.com ) I've created a facebook page for my character. I'll be posting a lot more about this book once I finish getting the one I'm working on published.
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So having seen some epic costuming and cosplay at conventions I've rummaged around in the bookstore. I read Boneshaker which seems to be widely known here. I've also got my hands on Leviathan but I haven't read it yet.
In the meanwhile I've developed a steampunk story I've started writing and I've quickly realized I have almost no knowledge whatsoever of the genre or time period. Now I'm in the researching phase. I need information! I'll start by reading Leviathan but do any of you veteran steampunkers know of any good sources for this beginner to read?
And are any of you readers also writers? Have you written any steampunk/deiselpunk I can read?
The story I'm working on is set in the future as if England were the major power on the planet and the Victorian era has continued. Many of the dress/mannerisms of the period are still in full force, but technology has advanced in other areas.
Electricity was discovered in the latter end of the Victorian era but I haven't decided yet if I'm going to include it. However; lace, steam, and titles are still the popular conventions. We'll see how well I can pull it off, but I'll need to know more about this genre if I'm going to go anywhere with it!
Books/Sources suggested:
Non-steampunk books about/in the Victorian period
Greaveburn by Craig (release in Aug)
Jules Verne
Cherie Priest
Devon Monk Age of Steam
The League of Steam
Jasper Morello
Newburry and Hobbes books by George Mann
The Girl in the Steal Corset by Kady Cross
Agatha H and the Airship City by Phil and Kaja Foglio
Airborn by Kenneth Oppel.
The Victorians by A N Wilson
London Labour & the London Poor by Henry Mayhew
The Martian Ambassador, The Feaster From the Stars, The Gods of Atlantis by Alan
http://steampunkworkshop.com/
The Wake of the Dragon: A Steampunk Adventure by Jaq
http://www.victorianweb.org/technolog...
Writing Steampunk by Beth Daniels
Dreams of Steam II: Brass and Bolts by Alli
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view... (the wake of the dragon)
http://www.jackshideout.com/steampunk... (Beyond the Rails fiction collection)
http://www.victorianlondon.org/
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anthony...
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81...
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...
http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/3... - free excerpt
Cyrus Darian and the Technomicron, Cyrus Darian and the Ghastly Horde (sept) by Raven
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15... by Nathan
www.goodreads.com/book/show/15742743.... by Mark