Steampunk Weekly - 11.15.10

Snark Busters
at Big Fish Games
I am currently playing this hidden object adventure game. So far, I love the steampunky visuals. And, there's clues for those of us who need it ;-D


You can try it for free here: for mac or for pc

*** Discount Coupon ***
Coupon code is “new50”. This will knock the price down from $9.99 to $4.99.

If you choose a free month of game club, this will further lower the price to $3.49.

PeekInside:



Did you know...

SteamPunkery
a November steampunk event
hosted by Candace's Book Blog

Last day to win this...

-+0+o+ Book Giveaway courtesy of publisher +o+0+-
The Half-Made World
by Felix Gilman
signup for giveaway here

-+0+o+ Coupon giveaway courtesy of Book Depository +o+0+-
Let me know in comments with your email if you would like to receive a
10% discount coupon from the Book Depository

A couple ideas of steampunk goodies you can purchase there...

Corsets & Clockwork:
14 Steampunk Romances
by Trisha Telep

or pick this up...

Steampunk'd
edited by Jean Rabe and Martin H. Greenberg
~*~

* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia

Steampunk Weekly - 11.08.10

Octopodes Chandelier series
created by artist Adam Wallacavage
found at the Steampunk Home

The Steampunk Home is #1 on the 10 Awesome Blogs for Steampunk Designers according to an article from the Online Certificate Programs site.

Excerpt:
The Steampunk Home: The Steampunk Home follows one woman's quest to adorn her home with the most eye-catching steampunk decor. Also highlighted are numerous odd items that steampunk designers have crafted, including a chandelier made out of recycled bicycle parts, leather floor mats composed of leather belts and a mechanical iris peephole.

~*~
On my want list...

The Iron Thorn
(The Iron Codex)
by Caitlin Kittredge
Description from the amazon:
In the city of Lovecraft, the Proctors rule and a great Engine turns below the streets, grinding any resistance to their order to dust. The necrovirus is blamed for Lovecraft's epidemic of madness, for the strange and eldritch creatures that roam the streets after dark, and for everything that the city leaders deem Heretical—born of the belief in magic and witchcraft. And for Aoife Grayson, her time is growing shorter by the day.

Aoife Grayson's family is unique, in the worst way—every one of them, including her mother and her elder brother Conrad, has gone mad on their 16th birthday. And now, a ward of the state, and one of the only female students at the School of Engines, she is trying to pretend that her fate can be different.

~*~
* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* fyi: Old Skewl Steampunk event is set for December 15-18

* totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia

Alice meets Clockwork Girl

W E R E L A N D
Alice has come across a girl on her way to Whatsitland - land of steampunk.

The Clockwork Girl
by Sean O'Reilly

Description from the amazon:
The Tinkerer is a mad scientist convinced that mechanical technology is a stable and precise science and is more important than all of the other sciences.

Metal twists and bends, gears, axles, and ratchets work in unison giving life to a conscious machine - The Astonishing Clockwork Girl!

The Grafter believes that the natural uncontainable power of biology should be revered against all other sciences. Assembling a body from parts of exhumed corpses, organs, skin, and limbs are stitched together to create the son that he could not have - The Amazing Mutant Boy!

Life is beautiful.

The Astonishing Clockwork Girl and the Amazing Mutant Boy begin to take their first steps into this world, learning about individual existence, freedom, and choice.

But a true understanding of who they are can't begin until they meet...

fyi: Kindle version is currently $4.95


-+0+o+ Blogosphere Book Giveaway +o+0+-
pdf available for free
offer ends: November 15, 2010


~*~

* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia

* Leave a comment here for an extra point to go towards the
Alice prize pack giveaway

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-

Ghosts: Skullvines

Skullvines Press is holding an October Contest.

All you have to do is sign up to their newsletter to keep up with all the good schtuff coming up.

Like...

More of their horror and fantasy books.

Titles from YA and Romance genres which they've just added.

AND a new release from Briane Keene!

Details for the Skullvines October Contest is here.
offer ends: Oct 31, 2010

One of my favorite steampunk books is included in the prize selection...

Black Jack Derringer:
Book I
by K.H. Koehler - my review
(2 copies up for grabs)

All “Wild” Alice West wants is to be a respected bounty hunter,
and make some legitimate cash along the way.
But in the post-apocalyptic world of the Skillet,
there is no room for a woman doing a “man’s job.”

Other Prizes include:

Fear the Woods: Book One by Jerrod Balzer

Plea of Apollisian: Book One of the Abyss Walker by Shane Moore

Birth of a Nation: Book Five of the Abyss Walker by Shane Moore

Keepers of the Dead by Bob Freeman (A Cairnwood Manor Novel)


~*~
* image source from the Strangeling

* hey, don't forget to signup to win a Strangeling print here

* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia


-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-

Mish Mosh: Steampunk

M I S H - M O S H
a bit of steampunk...

In July, we left Jane, Jade and passengers in Brazil during SteamBoyz week.

To continue the steampunk story of Jane and Jade's Escapades, I have this latest write-up from the hubby.

~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by kvb (the hubby)
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
“The inshimera shenomina exceptionator auctioneering header is busted.” Jade reported to Jane one sunny Brazilian summer day.

Jane frowned.

Jade it was who invented this stuff. Jane had to allow that it was Jade’s right and privilege to name it. But what in the hell was inshimera whosiwhatsing head? “What does this incipient auctioneer’s head do?” asked Jane.

“You are the captain of this bucket. You ought to be aware of how it works in case I’m not there for you one day. Your ‘incipient auctioneer’s head’ is just one of the most important devices on this ship. It auctioneers inputs from detector tubes located around the bell. These detector tubes measure the departure from nucleate boiling on the exterior surface of the bell and input a pressure signal to the auctioneer which then automatically adjusts the exception valves which produce the micro bubbles which are applied to the inshimera which line the inside of the bell in a precisely varied geometric pattern called a shenomina. I spend more time trying to keep the ISEA header happy then any other task I have with the exception of standing around answering your questions. I’ve even named it ‘Jane’.”

Jane tsked and said “Very well dear sister. If you weren’t my sister, I’d throw you in the brig. Let’s go look at it.”

Jade had to laugh and exclaim “What brig?”

They went down to the ERUL and Jade led Jane over to the offending piece of equipment. Sure enough, it was a formidably complicated piece of equipment with weights and mercury levels and gyroscopes and wondrous little gears and chains and bi-metal thermal compensators and oh my!

John Harrison would have been proud. (John Harrison invented the chronometer which led to British dominance at sea and the expansion of the empire) There was a brass plate that labeled it.

Sure enough, at the top it said ‘ISEA Header’ in big letters, and below that it said ‘Inshimera Shenomina Exceptionator Auctioneering Header.’ Below that in the biggest, boldest letters of all it said ‘JANE.’

Jane looked at the header for a couple of seconds, and at the label plate for a couple more. She turned on her heel and stalked towards the ladder.

When she came to, she was stretched out on Jade’s cot over the tool chest. She had blood on her shirtwaist and when she felt on her scalp, she could feel a flap of scalp that moved freely. Jade was busy sewing it up and said nothing.

When she finished tying the stitch that she was working on when Jane came around, she dug the needle in for the next stitch. Jane felt a stab of pain and when she came around again, the shirtwaist was gone along with her trumpet skirt and all of her undergarments.

She was stark naked.

She didn’t react, choosing rather to take stock of her surroundings and try to ascertain what sort of dilemma she was in. Jade reappeared. She was stripping off her leather iron worker’s coveralls. They were wet and had some blood on them. She replaced them with another that hung near Jane’s head. Jane began wondering at the point of the change when she saw the condition of the replacement.

“You really need to watch your head when you are walking around here in engineering.” Jade said.

Apparently Jane had stalked right into a steel deck joist. “It took me over forty stitches to sew your scalp back on! And now I have blood all over my engine room! Not to mention that you bled all over my cot. But I’ve bled on that plenty myself, so it’s no big deal. And why were you harrumphing off like that? You should be proud that I named that infernal piece of equipment after you! The Bulla would be an inert piece of metal without it. It is the most complex thing here. Everything else is simple.

That header, however, is inscrutably complex. It is my pride and joy. It is my seminal achievement. I cannot imagine ever creating anything like it again. If we are ever attacked and overwhelmed, my final act will be to destroy that header. You too, must guard it with your life!”

Jane said nothing. She digested this information about her namesake. Up to now, she hadn’t known of its existence. Now it was the most important thing on the ship!

Jade disappeared down to the ERUL and Jane tried to get up. She barely lifted her head when the ERUL started to spin and she thought better of it. She instead let her head sink into Jade’s remarkably filthy and hard pillow and let healing sleep overcome her.

~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by kvb (the hubby)
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
story flash back -~- flash forward
~*~
Set your DVR tonight for...

Castle: Punked
A young mathematician is shot with a 200-year-old bullet, inspiring wild theories by Castle about a time-traveling murderer.

Check out the flashes of steampunk:



A N D

Join the Steampunk Book Challenge
at The Bookkeeper
or add to your steampunk book list with suggested titles

A N D

Check out Steampunk Month at
Mad Hatter's Bookshelf and Book Reviews

~*~
* image source Mechanical Angel I from the Strangeling

* hey, don't forget to signup to win a Strangeling print here

* part of Jane and Jade Escapades, my steampunk story in which commenters may be incorporated in the storyline and have guest appearances.

* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-

Carnivale: Steampunk

C A R N I V A L E
And now folks...

Before you leave the carnivale...

You must go on this last ride...

A ride that is like no other!

A time travel device that will take you

--> here

there <--

and (hopefully)

back again!

Enter at your own risk...



Watch your step, folks.

Mind the gap as you exit.

And would you like a souvenir for surviving this ride?

-+0+o+ Book Giveaway +o+0+-
R E D R U M

Portrait of a Killer:
Jack The Ripper
Case Closed
by Patricia Cornwell
Open to all.

Offer ends: October 31, 2010

TO DO:

1. Sign the guestbook (if you signed it already in September - no need)

2. In comments, tell me a something about the author, Patricia Cornwell.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Contest has ended - winner is here

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Hi, there.
* wink wink *

~*~
* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* first spotted video at Snarky Bytes

* image source steampunk cartoon and bearded lady

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-

Steampunk Weekly - 8.30.10

Amber Stanhope & Rufus Rutter
created by Tonner

Steampunk film:

The Anachronism
from Anachronism Pictures
written and directed by Matthew Gordonlong
time: 15 minutes

Description from Vimeo:
A short film that tells the story of two children that discover a giant squid submarine on a beach near their home.

My two bit(s):
In-a-word(s): A crustacean, I should think. -Katie

Such a treat and beautifully made from the girl's parasol to the boy's butterfly net.

The Anachronism (Full Film) from Anachronism Pictures on Vimeo.

What did you think?

~*~
* Tonner dolls found on Collecting Fashion Dolls by Terri Gold

* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia

Steampunk Weekly - 8.16.10

Of Aether and Aeon
by O.M. Grey
Here is a new ebook short story just released and currently for $0.99 from the amazon. Don't know how long the offer holds... so go...

Description from author's site:
“Of Aether and Aeon” is a story about a young officer who finds love on an airship in the midst of war.

It’s romantic.

It’s tragic.

~*~
Dear reader,

A note on the current Jane and Jade Escapades.

After July's Steamboyz week, we left the Tiny Bubble and our duo with guest passengers in Brazil.

Since then, Jane and a couple guest passengers, have been in search of Jane’s Naturalist friend, Professor Sylvia Southerland in the rain forests of Brazil.

Jane and Freda with her Steampunk Discombubulator and Abilene armed with Chryslin gun have not yet located the Prof, but they have been delighting in the many colorful sights and unusual sounds of the forests they have ventured through thus far. The Toco Toucan and Yellow-banded Poison Dart Frog are familiar creatures who have crossed their path.

Apparently, Prof Southerland has made a new discovery. One that would be a great contribution to The Society's works.

The other passengers, Giada and Stella have chosen to remain close to the Tiny Bubble.

While others, Aly, Lexie and Throuthehaze, are off exploring the closest town, Rio de Janeiro.

The Society has sent two agents, Celia and Chas from headquarters to meet with Jane and crew. They will be checking into Hotel Santa Rita in Rio de Janeiro.

Meanwhile, Jade and Sullivan McPig have been off to...

&etc,
vvb
from The Society headquarters in London

story flash back -~- flash forward


~*~
* part of Jane and Jade Escapades, my steampunk story in which commenters may be incorporated in the storyline and have guest appearances.

* Prof Southerland was previously mentioned in the Birth of the Bubble story here.

* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia

Steampunk Weekly - 8.9.10

Raven $age & the Other Dimension:
Flying
(a steampunk tale)
by svb
It was simple. Flying the airplane was simple. All she had to do to control it was to shift her body weight. She could also control the direction of the plane through her mind. That was how the plane maneuvered.

Raven lifted into the sky. It had been a while since she last flew it, and it felt good to be in the air again. The plane was well made and well balanced. She had created the plane herself with the help of her good friend, Jimmy Austin. He was gone, though. He left her standing, and waving goodbye as he was lifted into the sky with a whole bunch of other people in an aircraft carrier that was shaped as a hot air balloon.

He was going on a tour around the part of the other dimension of reality that was Raven’s steampunk world. When he left, he was never seen again. Raven would cry for her dear friend every night. She would think of him every day, but he never came back.

Whatever happened to him, Raven thought, he surely couldn’t be dead. If he were dead, the rest of the people that went on the tour with him would be dead, too. It was logical in her world. Most of the people on the airship had returned in bad shape. If they returned, Jimmy had to return, too. It was logical…

Raven shook off the sad feeling for her friend. It wasn’t a good feeling to be sad when she was flying her plane. The feeling made her eyes go misty and blurry. With her eyes that way, she would surly crash and, she would be gone from the world like her friend. Raven flew on. She watched the city below her pass by.

“Goodbye my good old city,” she said to herself.

She suddenly speeded away in a rush, for she didn’t want to see the city left behind. Was it a smart choice to leave at this time?

Raven $age & the Other Dimension:
Part 1: Trouble in the City
Part 2: The Adventure Takes Flight
Part 3: Flying

~*~
* image source sandygrafik Ravens Moon - you can get this image on a card or t-shirt, unbeknownst to svb, i'm getting her one as a surprise gift this month ;-D

* a raw e-fiction post written by the daughter, svb

* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia

Steampunk Weekly - 8.02.10

Dreams of Steam
edited by Kimberly Richardson
Just released: July 2010

another one for our wish-n-want list...

Description from the amazon:
This is Steampunk! Travel back to a time when steam powered inventions ruled the land, water, and sky. It's a time of extraordinary contraptions and innovative ideas created by men and women who dared to ask the question, "What if?"

Peer through the glazed window into a world long gone, but not forgotten. Make a cup of tea, find a comfortable chair, strap on your goggles, and be amazed at the power of steam!


AND, Go checkout:

Steampunk Hat finds
on Steampunk Sunday at MarySew

And what about these hats...

Steampunk Hat cookies
at Over the Crescent Moon

~*~
* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia

Steampunk Weekly - 7.26.10

Burning Up
by Meljean Brook
Angela Knight
Nalini Singh
and Virginia Kantra
Description from author's site:

The Iron Seas
THE IRON SEAS series combines nanotech and pirates with a gritty, gaslit Victorian atmosphere to create swashbuckling steampunk romance…with an emphasis on the steam.

“Here There Be Monsters”

Meljean Brook launches a bold new steampunk series as a desperate woman strikes a provocative — and terrifying — bargain to gain overseas passage.

Two years ago, blacksmith Ivy, desperate to flee London, purchased her overseas passage by agreeing to spend the voyage in the bed of the pirate captain, Mad Machen.

Saved at the last minute by his rival, Ivy scraped out a new life in Fool’s Cove…until Mad Machen finds her, forces her to accept a job that will create a monster, and reminds her that she still owes him the price of a journey…

Excerpt snippet:
Chapter 1

By the time Ivy found Ratcatcher Row, yellow fog smothered the docklands. She inched along the unfamiliar street, holding her right hand out to her side and using the buildings facing the narrow wooden walk as a guide. Though only an arm’s length away, the thick mist dissolved Ivy’s gloved fingers into ghostly outlines. On her left, the clicking, segmented shadow of a spider-rickshaw scurried by on the cobblestones, and the hydraulic hiss of the driver’s thrusting feet seemed to whisper a single refrain.

Hurry, hurry, hurry.

~*~
The novella in Burning Up kicks off the Iron Seas series that will be released October 5, 2010 starting with...

The Iron Duke
by Meljean Brook
Description from author's site:
Seductive danger and steampunk adventure abound in the gritty world of the Iron Seas, where nanotech is fused with Victorian sensibilities—and steam.

After the Iron Duke freed England from Horde control, he instantly became a national hero. Now Rhys Trahaearn has built a merchant empire on the power — and fear — of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.

Mina can’t afford his interest, however. Horde blood runs through her veins, and despite the nanotech enhancing her body, she barely scratches out a living in London society. Becoming Rhys’s lover would destroy both her career and her family, yet the investigation prevents her from avoiding him…and the Iron Duke’s ruthless pursuit makes him difficult to resist.

But when Mina uncovers the victim’s identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans — and Mina discovers the danger is not only to her countrymen as she finds herself tempted to give up everything to the Iron Duke.

Who wants Burning Up?

Iron Seas Voyage Challenge:

The goal: to read and review the books in this series

The goodie: COMPLIMENTARY book, Burning Up
first 15 copies courtesy of author Meljean Brook

Extra goodies: opportunity to win each book in the series

The extras: fun events and prize tie-ins along the way

Open to all who are over age 18.

The challenge is actually made up of many parts
and lasts as long as the series does.

We're in for quite a voyage!

challenge part 1:
Offer ends August 3, 2010

Let me know in comments with your email to accept this challenge.

And, look alive as the book will be sent out to you soon after offer expire.

challenge part 2:
Offer ends September 31, 2010

If you send me a link to a book review post for Burning Up, you will be eligible to win the next part of the story, The Iron Duke, released October 5, 2010. A separate post will be created for the review links.

The review can be a blog post, on goodreads, on amazon, on twitter (super-mini one), an email to a friend (or me to post on this blog) etc. Basically, the idea is to spread the word about this book and series.

challenge part 3:
Offer ends November 30, 2010

If you send me a link to your book review post for The Iron Duke, you will be eligible to win the next part of the story, title not yet revealed, released in 2011 (my guess?)

and so on until the series ends

Not to fret. I'll send reminders along the way regarding the Iron Seas Voyage challenge and its many parts.

Participants for challenge part 1:

1. vvb

2. Giada

3. Sullivan McPig

4. Mary Ann

5. Carrie

6. Joie-Elise

7. Brianne

8. WolfAngel

9. Freda

10. Lexie

11. Throuthehaze

12. Ophelia

13. Celia

14. SiNn

15. Pearl

16. Trisha

17. Brizmus

18. Chas

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Contest has ended - winners are those listed above!

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

~*~
* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia

* image source egg

Steampunk Weekly - 7.05.10

Back at the McGregor Castle...

Professor Eva gives last minute instructions on the gadgets she has created for Jane and Jade to add to their inventory for their airship, the Tiny Bubble.

Jade loves the new headset communication device.



And Jane looks forward to using the new coffee machine.


The ladies are preparing for a tour of South America for steampunk discoveries. At the last Society meeting the votes were cast and it was tied between Japan and South America. Thus, with a toss of a coin the fate of the Tiny Bubble was made.

As they gather food and supplies for the trip, you can check out Brazil's Conselho SteamPunk.


The SteamBoyz event begins Friday in which the duo may encounter fellow airship travelers on route.

SteamBoyz = YA steampunk stories with YA male protagonists

RSVP in comments if you would like to be a passenger on the Tiny Bubble with Jane and Jade or a spectator during the SteamBoyz event.

story flash back -~- flash forward

~*~
* image source steampunk headset and coffee machine

* part of Jane and Jade Escapades, my steampunk story in which commenters may have guest appearances.

* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia

Steampunk Weekly - 6.21.10

ooo, steamy pocket watch
created by Trisha of MarySew
Check out Trisha's weekly Steampunk Sunday feature where she shares her latest steampunk jewelry and accessory creations (sometimes with giveaways). She will also point out some of her favorite steampunk blogosphere finds.

More steamy fun finds:


Steampunk Miniatures by Dr. Thaddeus Robertson
The Incredible Steam Powered Food Preparation Device
with Instant Hot Water Receptacle
creations by Deb's Minis
interview with Deb's Minis by Candide Canine


Description from Deb's blog:
Ladies and gentlemen, come closer and prepare to be amazed!

Are you tired of always fussing with damp kindling to start a fire?

Do you waste away from hunger while you wait for the stove to heat up?

Tired of your bread burning on one side because of uneven fire?

Do you hate hauling wood?

Wouldn't you love to turn a lever and instantly have hot water for your tea or your bath?

Dr. Robertson's new device will make all those problems a thing of the past!

Step into the future with the new and amazing steam powered stove! You'll be amazed at how easy and fast it is to prepare the finest of meals with scientifically precise heating. Control your cooking temperatures with a turn of a dial. Hot water is always at your fingertips with a simple twist of your wrist. Yes ladies and gentlemen, we are living the dream of the future!

~*~
Steam heading our way...

Steampunk Prime: A Vintage Steampunk Reader
edited by Mike Ashley
Release date: July 2010
Description from the amazon:
Discover original steampunk tales in this anthology of stories written before there were actual rocketships, atomic power, digital computers, or readily available electricity. The modern day steampunk genre is a reinventing of the past through the eyes of its inventors and adventures, but this collection is from real Victorians and Edwardians who saw the future potential of science and its daring possibilities. Steam-powered automobiles, submarines, and robots are featured alongside great airships and spaceships in these bold and creative stories of hope, triumph, and disaster.

~*~
* my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)

* totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia