I have more of these, so I will do at least one more post. Steampunk-style animals. Enjoy!
Filed under Animals, Humor and Observations
This is another of the many great resources I have found as an author. I write a lot of historical fiction, including Steampunk. The “Age of Steam” is considered to be around 1830 to 1900, and closely associated with the Victorian Era as a result. However, lots of stuff happened in the United States at that time, as well as other countries. In America, we had westward expansion, the Civil War, the trans-continental railroad, the invention of metal, steam-powered navies, and massive industrialization. My book, The Travelers’ Club – Fire and Ash, crosses America in 1880 and I did months of research to get all of the historical information correct. A bit added here and there really adds flavor to a story. For western “slang” appropriate to the time period, I found this site:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~poindexterfamily/OldWestSlang.html
WESTERN SLANG & PHRASES
A Writer’s Guide to the Old West
1860’s ~ 1880’s
Being a small compilation drawn from period newspapers, books, and memoirs
Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show Players
The thing I like most about sites like this, is that they are well researched. This one takes words and phrases from actual newspaper, books and memoirs written by westerners from the 1860s through the 1880s. You can only throw a bit of jargon at readers or they get confused, but a smattering here and there lends a great deal of authentic feel to the story. Michael Stackpole told me he likes to read journals of people during the time of his books, so he can find those rare gems of information lost to regular historical accounts. It was great advice.
At the bottom of the site are all sorts of other useful links as well!
Filed under Writing
A regular feature of the blog is to post great pictures of steampunk enthusiasts. Steampunk being a science fiction, or a “historical future” in the Age of Steam, roughly 1830 to 1900 or so, usually British or American Wild Western themed. So, ready to hire crew for your airship? You decide if you want heroes, military, pirates, merchants, explorers or whatever. You can’t hire them all, so who would you pick? (For earlier posts, type “steampunk aircrew” into the search box on the home page. I think this is the seventh post.) (photographers, if any of these are your work, please send me your information so I can credit you, or if you wish, so I can remove it from my site. This is an unpaid site and I get my pictures from Facebook, emails and so forth, so often I do not know the original source. Thanks)
Filed under Humor and Observations
The Thomas W. Lawson
“Her design and purpose was an ultimately unsuccessful bid to keep sailing ships competitive with steam ships”
– Wikipedia
Sources: Boston Public Library
Filed under Uncategorized
The Great Paris Exposition Telescope
Filed under Humor and Observations
Dieselpunk is in the Era of Diesel, roughly 1900 to 1949, or WW1 and WW2 science fiction. Steampunk is the Age of Steam, usually 1800 to 1899. There is always some crossover. Cyberpunk is future sci-fi, while sci-fi set in current setting is typically referred to as “urban fantasy.” Here are some more pictures of Dieselpunk. If you wish to see prior posts, please type “dieselpunk” into the search block on the Home page of this blog site. Pardon if I duplicated a few. Enjoy!
Filed under Humor and Observations
Having just returned from the amazing Wild Wild West Con 2, the Steampunk Convention at Old Tucson Studios, I have to put up more Steampunk pictures. I had a great panel with myself, friends Patti Hulstrand and Chris Wilke. Kudos to Diana, Jason, and Noe on throwing a great convention that was tons of fun. Built up some wife points when I purchased Becky the whole set of original Con versions of Lady Mechanika – yes Joe Benitez was there! They were all signed and packaged, but he was nice enough to further personalize each “to Becky.” There was also a booth selling amazingly well made corsets for just $60. My wife went to get one, feeling a bit guilty after I had already spoiled her, but unfortunately they did not have her size in the color she wanted.
I met so many amazing new people there is not really time to list them all. Thanks again to those who invited me out as a guest to speak on a panel about Steampunk and writing! Thanks also to Davina and Kathleen, who were there at the panel, and purchased The Travelers’ Club and the Ghost Ship! I hope you enjoy it immensely!
Now, to the aircrew. The ones in the desert are most likely from WWWC2. I will be sprinkling them over time. You are now ready to pick the crew and staff for your sixth airship in your burdgeoning fleet. Do you want a merchant vessel, an explorer, a pirate ship, a military vessel, a ship for world domination, or other purposes? Choose your crew wisely. You cannot pick more than eight.
Filed under Humor and Observations, Uncategorized
Friday, March 8th, 2013, I will be appearing as a guest at Wild Wild West Con 2, the only Steampunk only Con at an actual 1880s theme park. Old Tucson Studios, the site of over 300 movies and TV shows, will be hosting the event for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is hosted by the great folks at the Arizona Steampunk Society who have put tons of work into it. A shout out to Diana, Jason and Noe and to the hundreds of others working to make this a fun and exciting weekend event.
Thanks to their gracious invitation, I will be there Friday, on a panel at 2 pm discussing writing steampunk, steampunk themes in literature and indie publishing. Joining me on the panel are author/publisher/magazine editor Patti Hulstrand, and author/cover designer/computer whiz Chris Wilke. Please stop by not only to see us, but all the great costumes, events, performances and live bands. Here is a link:
http://www.wildwildwestcon.com/d/
Unfortunately, due to still recovering from recent medical procedures, I will only be able to attend the first day. I will not have a vendor booth, but will be available briefly before and after the panel to sign copies of my Steampunk and other books. You will also get to see me as my alter ego, dressed in 1880s western steampunk garb. It is sure to be a great day for you and all you bring. Lots of fun, and a unique experience.
Filed under Humor and Observations, Uncategorized, Writing
Just an odd assortment here for your enjoyment:
Filed under Humor and Observations
This is your fifth chance to select an airship crew for your very own airship. You cannot choose them all, so choose wisely. Are you to run the ship as a pirate vessel. trader, smuggler, explorer, loyal military vessel, adventurer, evil mercenary? All up to you. For early posts, type in “Steampunk Aircrew” in the search box on the Home page of this blog site. Enjoy!
Filed under Humor and Observations
Michael Bradley - Time Traveler 