Hi folks! Pauline Baird Jones here. In 1998, when I digitally published my first novel, there were no Kindles or Nooks or smart phones or tablets. I spent more time explaining why I’d chosen to publish digitally and how to read a digital book than talking about my novel. That was the end of it, right?
Not so. I had some serious déjà vu in 2010 when I announced that I’d written a steampunk novella (it’s actually a science fiction steampunk mash-up, but all anyone heard was the steampunk part).
Almost without fail, the initial response was, “Eh, what?”
This post is the answer. 
I first heard about steampunk from Heather Massey, who runs The Galaxy Express, a blog devoted to science fiction romance. When the opportunity came to share our love of steampunk with you, we cranked up the ol’ boiler and let her rip.
*knock knock*
Heather sticks her head in the door. “Is this where they’re serving punch and pie?”
Pauline: “…”
Heather makes a beeline for the brass-colored chair in the shape of an automaton. She places her arms on the “arm” armrests and settles back against the automaton chair’s “chest.” “Cool!”
Pauline: Ahem. Anyway, in an article for Germany’s romance magazine, Loveletter (March 2010), Heather presented this definition of steampunk:
“Steampunk is generally defined as Victorian era science fiction and/or fantasy. Major stylistic influences include classic works based on the 19th century scientific romances by authors such as Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Mary Shelley, and Mark Twain. As a literary genre, steampunk started gaining notice in the 1980s. Author K. W. Jeter (Infernal Devices) is widely credited with coining the term “steampunk” in a letter he wrote describing his work to the science fiction and fantasy magazine Locus in 1987.”
She goes on to point out that:
“Steampunk encompasses a wide variety of stories, but for ease of reference, I’ve divided its basic recipe into a few core elements:
- Steam powered gadgets
- Alternate history settings (mostly Victorian era England)
- SF/Fantasy/horror elements
- Inventions ahead of their time that capture the period aesthetic (e.g., analytical engines, airships, etc.)”
When Heather wrote that article, steampunk was just starting to creep into the reading landscape.
“You could tell them that steampunk is the new black.” Heather dons a pair of brass goggles and then glances all around like a bird searching for insects. “Saaaaayyyy…I think these are one of those Time Portal Detection thingamajimmies.”
“Er…that’s nice, Heather.” Pauline shifts her own chair a few inches away and resumes her post.
While it hasn’t achieved break out status yet, the genre does seem to be reaching a tipping point—or at least emerging from its niche ghetto. Publishers large and small are looking for steampunk novels and stories, and the settings have expanded beyond England’s shores, which shouldn’t be a surprise. The Victorian era didn’t just happen in England.
While the plots can range from dark and dystopian to frothy and whimsical, it is the adventure and the romance that caught—and keeps—my interest in the genre. There is something delightfully whacky about swirling automations, airships, brass goggles—
“Heh. You said brass goggles.” Heather gives a WAYNE’S WORLD-inspired thumbs up.
—clockwork inventions, and anachronistic technology into a historical setting. Or in setting those things on a collision course with the present. Speaking of the present, there are no real boundaries with this genre. Not unlike Jurassic Park when the power went out, authors are free to take their steampunk into any genre they please.
The question then changes from “what can we write,” to “who will read it?”
Are you intrigued yet? Cautiously interested? How about a little test to see if you might like yourself some steampunk fun?
- Do you have a sense of humor? Feel drawn to the whimsical and the weird?
- Prefer horror? Cybernetics? Zombies? Creatures of the night?
- Read historical romances? Romantic suspense? Urban fantasy? Dystopia? Hooked on fantastical creatures? Any romance?
- What about alternate realities? Science fiction? Fantasy? Action adventure?
- Like heroic pirates? Sexy inventors? Airship captains? Detectives? Rebels? Spies?
- Corsets? Brass goggles? Whacky inventions? Derringers and parasols as weapons and accessories?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you passed “go” and can head straight for some steampunk fun. Here’s Heather’s basic reading list to get you started:
Traditional steampunk
The Affinity Bridge (George Mann) and its sequel, The Osiris Ritual (a great place to start if you’ve never read steampunk before)
Whitechapel Gods (S.M. Peters)
Mainspring (Jay Lake)
The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack (Mark Hodder)
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Alan Moore)
The Narrows (Alexander Irvine)
You can also read the immensely popular Girl Genius online for free.
Steampunk romance/erotic steampunk romance
Here There Be Monsters (Meljean Brook, from the Burning Up anthology)
The Iron Duke (Meljean Brook)
Sky Rat (Angelia Sparrow)
Steamed (Katie MacAlister)
Island of Icarus (Christine Danse)
The Miraculous Lady Law (Robert Appleton)
Silk, Steele, and Steam (Samhain Publishing’s anthology)
Like Clockwork (Bonnie Dee)
Tangled In Time and Steamrolled, and Steam Time (Pauline Baird Jones)
Clockworks and Corsets (Regina Riley)
Hot and Steamy: Tales of Steampunk Romance (DAW Books anthology)
Full Steam Ahead and Mechanical Rose (Nathalie Gray)
Clockwork Heart (Dru Pagliassotti)
***
Pauline would add her two favorite steampunk TV shows to this list: WILD WILD WEST and THE ADVENTURES OF BRISCO COUNTY JR.
Heather interjects: “We certainly won’t mention that universally reviled steampunk disaster of a film known as THE WILD, WILD WEST, a remake of the original television series.”
Pauline visibly winces.
“Uh, oops.” Heather waves off her gaffe. “Bring it home, Pauline!”
“Thanks, Heather. I will.”
So, dear readers, have you tried any steampunk? Read or watched anything on this list? Curious or loving the new genre? Comment to be entered into a drawing for Heather’s erotic sci-fi romance novel, Once Upon a Time in Space (both in digital only, international entries ok) or a digital edition of A Death in Texas Anthology, which includes Pauline’s short story, “Men in Jeans.”
Pauline Baird Jones is the award-winning author of eleven novels of science fiction romance, steampunk, action-adventure, suspense, romantic suspense and comedy-mystery. Her latest release is a steampunk/science fiction romance called Steamrolled. You can find out more than you ever wanted to know about her at www.perilouspauline.com
Heather Massey is a lifelong fan of science fiction romance. She searches for sci-fi romance adventures aboard The Galaxy Express. She’s also the author of Once Upon a Time in Space, an erotic sci-fi romance. Her latest release is “Steambot Rampage,” a steampunk romance short story. When she’s not reading, she’s watching cult films and enjoying time with her husband and daughter.
To learn more about her published work, visit www.heathermassey.com.
