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steampunk

Discussion: Steampunk and Fantasy

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Steampunk Fantasy

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Freddy MacKay: Steampunk AKA The Red Headed step child of SF and why a fantasy world with steam is not steampunk. AKA what caused it to get shoved into fantasy. It’s a fascinating question. We have all these sub genres, but some seem to be more dominant: Science Fiction Fantasy Paranormal Horror While some seem relegated to secondary status and have to be shoved into one of the “master” genres: Steampunk Superheroes Shifters Post Apocalyptic So who decides these things? And with genre boundaries blurring ever more, is it time to reshuffle how we think … Read more

Announcement: Glacialis, by Pelaam

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Glacialis

QSFer Pelaam has a new sci fi book out: Accepting their company’s assignment as medic and nurse on Glacialis, Shae and Bless find their welcome as frigid as the planet itself. Neither Adair, the mine’s foreman, nor Merag, his head of security make the men feel welcome or wanted. When one of the miners seeks medical attention for an injury he doesn’t want Adair to know about, Shae and Bless quickly find themselves investigating illegal activity at the mine and embroiled in danger. Shae finds himself falling in love with the undercover Ranger sent to investigate the mine, and he … Read more

Review: “Blue on Black” by Carole Cummings

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Genre: Gay Steampunk Length: Novel   Bas is a tech tracker, undercover. In his search for a few missing techs, he finds himself in the middle of a thug empire in the desert. Baron Stanslo is hiding more than Bas or the Directorate reckon, and while Bas keeps an eye out for the techs, he discovers a brutal world ruled by a mad man and populated by the oppressed and the bullies who oppress them. Fortunately, he’s skilled enough to become easily accepted into the illusive group; unfortunately, he may not be able to get back out. Blue on Black … Read more

Article: Queer Cogs

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** I should preface this article by saying that I am self-published and have never submitted to Tor. Yet I continue to direct fellow authors and readers to this article because it both highlights the LGBTQ inclusiveness of Steampunk AND is hosted by the aforementioned large publisher. That fact alone sends one of steampunk’s primary messages: there’s hope for humanity. -Vance ** Queer Cogs: Steampunk, Gender Identity, and Sexuality Lisa Hager Given that speculative fiction questions our most basic assumptions about life, from what is the nature of consciousness to our knowledge of history, it also regularly challenges our accepted … Read more

Announcement: Blue on Black, by Carole Cummings

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Blue on Black

Dreamspinner Publications author and QSFer Carole Cummings has a new Steampunk book out: Kimolijah Adani—Class 2 gridTech, beloved brother, most promising student the Academy’s ever had the privilege of calling their own, genius mechanical gridstream engineer, brilliantly pioneering inventor… and dead man. But that’s what happens when a whiz kid messes with dynamic crystals and, apparently, comes to the attention of Baron Petra Stanslo. Killed for his revolutionary designs, Kimolijah Adani had been set to change the world with his impossible train that runs on nothing more than gridstream locked in a crystal. Technically it shouldn’t even be possible, but … Read more

“The Darkling Thrush” by Josh Lanyon

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Genre: MM Fantasy Mystery Length: Novel   This was a fun mystery. The world is slightly steampunk, so there are trains and the like, giving it a more modern feel, and it’s subtly magical; however, magic isn’t as prevalent in this culture as in some fantasy. The novel is told from the point of view of Colin Bliss, a librivenator… which is sort of an Indiana Jones for books. Bliss is your typical thinks-he-knows-everything and an in-way-over-his-head type of person. He travels to Scotland and uncovers the dark past of a small fishing village, and his curiosity and spunk drive … Read more

“Song of Oestend” By Marie Sexton

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Genre: MM Fantasy Romance Length: Novel Song of Oestend takes place in an alternate reality and resembles the Old West, but with some odd technologies, ancient mysticism, and ghosts thrown in for fun. I would feel comfortable labeling it as steampunk, paranormal, or fantasy, but I labeled it as fantasy because both steampunk and paranormal fit into that genre. Aren Montrell is a social leper from the city, and to get away from it all, he travels to Oestend for a job as a bookkeeper. Of all the cities he could have chosen, I honestly have no idea why he … Read more

Announcement: Matters of Scale, by BR Sanders

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Matters of Scale

Inkstained Succubus author and QSFer BR Sanders has a new steampunk book out: Moshel has hidden himself away for years, trying to keep the emotions of others from driving him mad. It’s in mechanics alone that he can find relief, the reliable tick of clockwork his escape. It’s only when he meets his counterpart, Tovah, that he realizes all may not be as it seems in his world, and there may be a way to change it. It’s all a matter of scale. Buy Links Inky Suky Store: Click Here Author Bio B R Sanders is a white, genderqueer writer … Read more

Announcements: Gilded Scarab; and Gyrfalcon, by Anna Butler

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Today we have a special announcement – a blog post from QSFer Anna Butler, who’s doing a blog tour to promote not one, but two new books: Ever had one of those weeks were someone’s stuck rollerskates under your boots and you’re being whizzed along without feeling you’re still in control? The world is rushing past you and you’re galloping to catch up, trying to cram a lot of real excitement into a very few days? Welcome to my world! Valentine’s Day tomorrow, then next Monday, 16th February, my first novel — a steampunk coffeehouse adventure m/m romance called The … Read more

“There Will be Phlogiston” by Alexis Hall

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Note: Someone in QSF Discussions told me about this book – I forget who – but I wanted to thank them.  I had no idea what I was getting into before I stepped into it, except I think we were discussing bisexual characters, and so everything was a pleasant surprise. This is a MMF Steampunk Novella, and I should note that this is #5 in a series.  I didn’t know that before I started it, but I didn’t find that to be a problem either, because it’s an origin story of sorts, our of bad assed trio. The backdrop is … Read more