Why Steampunk? (Guest Post: Stephanie Lazear)

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Suzanne Lazear’s young adult Steampunk dark fairytale, INNOCENT DARKNESS, Book 1 of The Aether Chronicles, will be released from Flux in August of 2012. Visit her website. She’s also part of the Steampunk group blog Steamed.

I’ve always like it but I didn’t know it had a name until 2008 when I was researching ball gowns to wear to the Dickens Ball. 

When I discovered what it was I got this image stuck in my head, sat down, and wrote my first Steampunk manuscript, unaware of exactly what I was unleashing within myself.

I’m not the only one who’d liked Steampunk for some time, thinking it was called Alternate History, Sci-Fantasy, or, even Jules Verne on Crack. Upon stumbling upon the name Steampunk we all breathe in a sigh of awe and relief—Ah, so that’s what it’s called! glad we can finally file it away with a neat label.

I’m not so sure that Steampunk is becoming trendy as that people are finally figuring out that it actually has a name. But, even if it is becoming trendy or popular, does it even matter?

One of the strengths of Steampunk is the diversity of those it brings together. There’s a lot to be attracted to in Steampunk, and well, there really is something for everyone, from the hard-core techie to the fashionista.

Perhaps it is the room for self-expression that attracts so many from so many walks of life. Just look at the diversity of Steampunk art, where you can find everything from jewelry, to costumes, to sculpture—or music, where it can vary from hard rock to lounge music.

The thing that attracted me most to Steampunk was the sheer room the genre had—especially in writing. A Steampunk story could be anything—a hard-core Sci-fi, a hysterical romp through history, a paranormal adventure. Air-pirates, mechanics, scientists, and corset-and bustle wearing Vampire hunters have a place. There’s science, fashion, and the fact that it can be set in anytime and anyplace.

There was the opportunity to blur lines, blend genres, and build worlds. It’s perfect for a creative soul with an imagination that operates on hyperdrive.  I love writing Steampunk because I can be so wacky and do things I couldn’t do in “regular” urban fantasy–flying cars, evil headmistresses, air pirates…what’s not to love?

It also became the perfect playground for INNOCENT DARKNESS my YA Steampunk Dark Fairytale releasing from Flux 8-8-12.  I could have flying cars, hoverboards, corsets and fancy dresses, swords, magic, and faeries all in the same book.  A book which takes place in alternate versions of Victorian Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the Otherworld—the realm of Faerie.  Noli fixes flying cars in her skirts and corsets.  V has a pen that turns into a sword.  Kevighn haunts opium dens and can fly airships.  Certainly, this isn’t your little sister’s fairytale.

Wish.  Love.  Desire.  Live. 

Are you ready? 

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In an alternate version of Victorian California, Sixteen-year-old Noli Braddock's hoyden ways land her in an abusive reform school far from home. On mid-summer's eve she wishes to be anyplace but that dreadful school. A mysterious man from the Realm of Faerie rescues her and brings her to the Otherworld, only to reveal that she must be sacrificed, otherwise, the entire Otherworld civilization will perish.

Categories: Guest Post, Wicked Reads