More Steampunk - Random Linkups

I've been puttering around the internet doing "research" on steampunk for my new book, ENIGMA, and it's sort of like trying to get your arms around a cloud nebula. It seems that steampunk is a very loosely defined genre that appears to be ever-evolving, not unlike the technology that is employed in these stories. It's quite fascinating to read about the different worlds that have been created and identified as steampunk: Some are futuristic, some anachronistic, some Victorian, others set in a completely different landscape. I found a fabulous article over on io9 that has pictures of steampunk projects. Take a look here. And there's another article that discusses steampunk novels and gives us a review of several current and upcoming works.

To give you a hint at just how popular steampunk is becoming, there's several pictures floating around the internet right now of a dystopian Disneyverse, which rumor has it, are from a game in development for Disney-owned Junction Point Studios. And yes, that appears to be the remains of Epcot Center...



Interesting stuff and certainly leaves the door open for new ideas. What are your thoughts on what makes a steampunk novel? Goggles and Gears? The future? The past? The future in the past?

Patience and Steampunk

Yay! I finally got to talk to my fabulous editor, Susan Chang, about THE FAERIE RING today and she was just as lovely as I imagined her to be. It's so exciting, yet surreal, to actually be talking to a real live editor about MY book.

I am, of course, READY to dive into revisions and get this party started, but alas, as with ALL things publishing related, speed is never involved. It seems there are several other books that need Susan's attention before mine and therefore, don't expect an editorial revision letter for a couple of months.

Oh.

Well, when opportunity knocks, I open the door, so I figure this is the perfect chance to write my NEXT book, which is going to be steampunk, set in London, approx 1895. The title is ENIGMA. My protagonist is Jack Bailey, commonly known on the street as Blackjack Bailey. He's up and got himself invited to attend the Westgate College for Boys, Academy for the Gifted. Head over to my website here and read the opening under "What I'm Writing Now."

My goal is to have a first draft done by the end of October. Want to come along for the ride?

How about you? What are you writing and when are you shooting to have it completed?