The Azure Key is FREE on Kindle for a limited time. Get it while it's hot!

Grab your copy of The Corsair Uprising #1: The Azure Key for free on Amazon Kindle or the Kindle App Sunday March 8th through Thursday March 12th. The Azure Key is the first novel in a new Steampunk Space Opera series readers have likened to a love child between Star Wars and Firefly.

Here's a brief synopsis to whet your appetite:

"Liam Kidd was a freelancer for Vesta Corporation, Earth’s largest and most corrupt asteroid mining company. Through a series of events he finds himself working the mines, a fate worse than death. When an opportunity presents itself, he and two other miners escape through a nearby wormhole. They find themselves across the galaxy in the middle of a conflict between three alien species. Liam’s only chance of getting home lies in finding a device rumored to be capable of opening a singularity. Now, he and his crew must face the horrors of war to return to their own system, a challenge that might prove deadly."

The second installment in the series, entitled Nightstalkers, arrives next week! Take this chance to read the first book for free before the next one is released.

Is It Steampunk? Week 7: Steampunk Dust

It's week 7 of the soon-to-be-classic game Is It Steampunk!  Today's product is none other than a bag of Steampunk Dust. No, this is not a joke. This actually exists and is being sold on Etsy for $6.95 by User FireflyStudiosAtFDJ.

From the Seller: "Each package contains .75 ounces of a assorted tiny watch screws, gears and other fun treasures. No two packages are alike."

The question is, Is It Steampunk? Use the voting buttons at the bottom of the post to vote. Click "Stone-Cold Steam" if you believe this product is "Steampunk," and "Sahara Desert" if you're wondering why you're reading this post. Have fun! Since you've been good and made it this far, have a cool video in which a guy stylizes a photo in Photoshop to make it more Steampunk:

Is It Steampunk? Week 6: Steampunk Owl Sculpture

Welcome back for the newest edition of Is It Steampunk (About 9 hours late, my bad). On the docket today, this Steampunk Owl Sculture from Etsy Creator CedarMoon. Priced at $125, this sculpture stands at over 13 inches tall and is about 7 inches wide. The seller has a lot of other sculptures of different animals all with the same sort of stylings.

From the seller:
"SteamPunk Owl is a dapper handmade Victorian bird limited edition sculpture for book shelves and home decor. He is created with a large up-cycled plastic easter egg or papier mache egg, old and new gears (and wooden gears), screws nails, wire, copper paints and old earring for a monocle, a wind-up key from a junk drawer and assorted parts and pieces and junk drawer finds. He is not completely water resistant for outdoor life in a garden because that tends to dull some details with the extra clear coating. He comes with a top hat, monocle, vest and pocket watch to complete his outfit...all hand made."

And so it has come down to this. You've seen the product. You've read the introduction. But, Is Is Steampunk?

To vote, use the buttons at the bottom of the post. If you believe the item is indeed Steampunk, click "Stone Cold Steam." If, however, you think it is an imitator, click "Sahara Desert." Happy voting!

Oliver Twist: Steampunk Edition?

Photo Courtesy of Theater Latte Da

In a report by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Broadway classic 'Oliver!' is getting a Steampunk rendition in the Twin Cities. Being the book nerd that I am, I think this is fantastic. While not my first thought when I think of Steampunk, Dickens was a Victorian writer whose work may lend itself quite well to the genre.

When I think of Charles Dickens, I don't think of Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, or any of his more famous works. Instead, I remember slogging through Bleak House, the 800+ page tome that was initially released as 20 monthly installments.  I remember it because it was a snapshot of London during Dickens' time that wasn't as apparent in his other works because it had less to do with the story.  Oliver Twist is about Oliver Twist, whereas Bleak House isn't really about the long list of main characters, it's about the times and the place creating the circumstances by which the characters suffer. Did I finish it? Sadly, no. Now it seems if I was going to finish it I would have done so already.  But I digress, London in the mid-nineteenth century is the quintessential time for Steampunk renditions of classic works.  I only hope this is the first of many plays I see as the Steampunk genre continues to proliferate to the masses.

The play is being held at Theater Latté Da in Minneapolis, MN from February 4th, 2015 through March 1st, 2015 and costs between $36 and $56 per ticket.  The theater is located at 345 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413.  The Phone number to contact the theater is 612-339-3003.  Any of my readers from Minneapolis should certainly check it out! If you saw the show, contact me at Trevor.Scott.Schmidt [at] Gmail.com and share your story. I'll be sure to feature it in my next blog.

Is It Steampunk? Week 4: Steampunk Rat Ornament

It's time for this week's edition of Is It Steampunk?  Today's contestant: a product from Etsy user GreatHeronDesigns entitled "Steampunk Rat Ornament." GreatHeronDesigns hails from Ann Arbor, Michigan and has, as of this writing, 48 other Steampunk items for sale.  The item in question costs $20 and currently has 2 customer reviews.

First, a seller's description:
"..." Well, there really is no description on this item, and does there actually need to be? It is, however, made from polymer, clay, and "Metal doo dads."

That's the buildup, but now it's time for the big question. You've seen the picture, you've seen the "description," so how about it? Is It Steampunk?

Sound off in the comments below and don't forget to click those voting buttons! If you believe the Steampunk Rat Ornament is Steampunk, click "Stone Cold Steam." If you think it's anything but steam, click "Sahara Desert."

Don't forget to come back next Friday for an all-new edition of Is It Steampunk?

Steampunk 2 Prong Clutch Purse Review

Etsy user ArmouredWolf posted this Steampunk Clutch a couple of months ago and its already garnered some notice from users. As of this writing there are 64 customer reviews and it sells for $80+ depending on style and color.

The craftsmanship looks quite good and I like the industrial nature of the chain. This is the kind of item that would look good regardless of whether you are wearing traditional Steampunk attire or a jeans and a T-Shirt. It's made from Leather, Steel, and Nickel is large enough to hold a phone. Hey, these days that's not the easiest feat in the world.  On a side note, does it feel like we're going back to the Saved by the Bell days of large cell phones?  Thank you Zach Morris.

From the Seller: "The Clutch style is light in hand, small & secure. Perfect for a stylish accoutrement to any night on the town outfit.
Belt Pouch is graciously designed for cosplay, Steampunk, or renaissance garb. Able to attach its self to a belt or chains can be added to clip to the D rings on the side for a one of a kind thigh bag.
Purse Style! Our Personal Favorite..... This version is perfect for any outfit! the hand woven stainless steel chain is light, small, and strong. Personally tested everyday for over a month. This style can hold up to any wear and tear."

I'd say this one is a go.

Trevor's Rating of the Steampunk Clutch: 1989% (Also the year Saved by the Bell first aired. Coincidence?)

Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention 4: March 6-8, 2015

I've been looking for a good Steampunk convention and came across the Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention in Old Tucson, AZ.  Unfortunately I won't be able to attend this year due to scheduling conflicts, but I thought I'd feature the convention in case any of my readers are able to make it out. As of this writing the highest level of tickets (Aristocrat) are sold out by there are still Maverick and Explorer tickets available for $64 and $41 respectively.

This year's convention features Steampunk bands Abney Park, The Cog is Dead, and more.  Here's some links to get you started.

Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention
Tickets
Entertainment
Special Events
Hotels
Contact

If anyone does make it out, I'd be happy to feature your story on my blog!  Please email Trevor.Scott.Schmidt [at] Gmail.com if you would like to recount your experience or send me pictures from the Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention!

Is It Steampunk? Week 3: PVC Bustle Skirt

It's time to play Is It Steampunk?  It's the game where I post a picture of a real product for sale and you tell me if it's actually Steampunk or just another imitator.  Use the voting buttons at the bottom of the post to tell me if it is Stone-Cold Steam (Steampunk) or the Sahara Desert (Not Steampunk). Let's get started.

This week's product is by Etsy user GothicBurlesque and is called a "Slick Pvc Bustle Skirt STEAMPUNK Goth BURLESQUE."  It sells for $60.00 on Etsy 176 customer reviews with an almost 5-star average rating.

How about it Steampunkers?  Is It Steampunk?  Click those voting buttons or sound off in the comments below.  If not Steampunk, how would you describe it?

Sewor Steampunk Watch Review

I came across another unfamiliar watch brand on Etsy so I decided to do some snooping around. This particular watch was posted by user SchimmelsShop out of Gilbert, Arizona, USA. The watch has 1,036 reviews as of this posting and almost all of them are 5-Star.  I found this a little suspicious so I looked through the reviews and found that the reviews appear to be legit. A couple of the users complained that the leather band felt "Cheap" but for $35 they were okay with it and still gave it at least 4 stars.

The brand Sewor is a Chinese company (Which makes sense given that their brand name reads like Sewer).  Something must have been lost in translation.  Apart from Etsy in the United States, very few websites carry the brand. However, they are quite popular on Alibaba and Aliexpress, and you'll pay less than half the cost per unit.  Of course, you might have to buy at least 10. Etsy has become littered with resellers of Chinese products lately, which can be a good or bad thing. You're likely to pay less for a decent product (Even if you could get it cheaper elsewhere), but the point of Etsy is to be a marketplace for handmade or at least somewhat unique products that are not manufactured in bulk.

Doesn't this go against that very principle? I find it ironic when Steampunk items in particular are sold in mass quantities, eschewing the point of the genre: idolizing a simpler time with unique products that were singularly made for you. Is this unrealistic for the average consumer? Sure. But that doesn't mean we have to buy the same thing every Tom, Dick, and Jane are buying. At the very least, if someone's going to sell a product like this on Etsy, I would hope they would change the band for something they hand made. If you're going to go the commercial route, you might as well buy it for $15 on Aliexpress.

Trevor's Rating of the Sewor Watch: 80% (For a standard Chinese-made Steampunk-influenced watch that can be bought for $15 somewhere else. Please exercise those fingers and do a quick google search. An informed consumer will drive down prices on all products).

Is It Steampunk? Week 2: Steampunk Spats by J Souza

It's that time again!  Time for my new favorite game: Is It Steampunk?  For the newcomers, here are the rules.  I'm going to post a picture of an item I've found online.  This item must really be for sale and really be listed as a "Steampunk" product.  Then, I leave it up to you, my readers, to decide whether this product really is "Stone Cold Steam," or if it's dried up like the "Sahara Desert."  So, without further ado, I give you week two of Is It Steampunk?

These boots are billed as "Steampunk Spats - Unique - Sexy, Rustic-Feminine by J Souza." These were created by Etsy User JoelmaSouza.

At first glance they appear to be a set of heels with clock parts sewn or glued to them.  If those were your first thoughts, you'd be right!  For $198, this might be a project you want to take on yourself rather than shelling out the dough.  But one question remains: Is It Steampunk???

Please use the check-boxes below to vote.  Click "Stone Cold Steam" if you believe it's Steampunk, or "Sahara Desert" if you think it's a Steampunk imitator.  Next Friday I'll edit the post and put my take into it.

Steampunk Feather Fascinator - OZION design Review

This great Steampunk accessory is brought to you by Etsy Shop CastleMemories, hailing out of San Francisco, CA.  It is available as a headband, comb, or hairclip, and costs $36.00.

The peacock feathers are a really nice touch that blends nicely with the Steampunk styling of the piece.  It's one of those items that if I saw someone walking around wearing it, I would have to comment my appreciation.

From the seller: "I put Steampunk on my favorite mainstay, the feather pad applique. I put cogs, Victorian style jewelry findings, feather pads and added a touch of "Oriental splash." The result is a firm, ladylike, bold statement of a hairpiece I am excited about. I think that experience and my take on Steampunk is typical of the way I approach "traditional" designs: with one foot rooted in tradition and the other foot kicking it forward. This design is just a partial example of some of the dozens of things we've dabbed into mixing modern trends and feathers."

As of this writing there are 553 reviews of this item with a 4.5 star rating out of 5.  CastleMemories also has a lot of other great products for the Steampunk trending lady.  Many are actually not Steampunk, but rather focused on bridal and other niche markets.  There are, however, a few dozen other Steampunk designs that I think my readers will really enjoy.  Simply click on the Steampunk Fashion link on the left bar of their shop.

Trevor's Rating of the Feather Fascinator - OZION design: 93% (For a design that's sure to turn heads and reviews that parlay its quality).

Steampunk Coat Review

This great jacket is billed as a brown black cropped jacket with brass details.  The seller is TalismanaDesigns, hailing from my rainy homeland, Oregon.  

From the seller: "I am using an enzyme technique with the fabric and it's taking on a fabulous antiqued leather effect that emphasizes the seams and detail stitching. Has that Pre-Post-Apocalypse appeal. Will be enhanced by dustings of playa, or general hard living. Raw edges for outlaws, space cowboys, and airship pirates. 

Looooong sleeves, slightly flared and scalloped, they'll likely come down to your knuckles. When I'm working I cuff them back. The back comes down into a subtle flattering curve. The zipper stops at your cleavage with a slight keyhole effect. To get warm and cozy you use the stylee cross-over collar. Really nice high neck. 

One of my inspirations for this design was to have something for the dancefloor. It's warm enough, especially in crucial sleeves and neck, to take care of you on festival nights - but streamlined enough to carry or tie at your waist once the bass drops and you start sweating. I've named it the Libra Coat. As a Libra, I like all my choices available. This is the perfectly balanced coat. It does as much of the work as possible of a big coat, in the sleekest ninja package."

Personally, it reminds me of something I might find one of the characters in my books wearing. Almost post-apocalyptic but decidedly Steampunk.

Trevor's Rating of the Steampunk Coat: 92% (For a great looking coat that looks durable and functional, all at the low price of $58.00)

Be sure to tune in this Friday for another edition of "Is It Steampunk?"

New Segment! Is It Steampunk?

It's Friday and it's the first day of my new segment: Is It Steampunk?  While perusing Etsy, I've found that a lot of the products listed as "Steampunk" are really anything but.  In the spirit of giving everything a fair shake, I've decided to start this weekly series where I'll post a picture and voting buttons and you, the reader, tells me if it's really Steampunk.  Sometimes they will be great representations of the Steampunk genre, and others...not so much.  So without wasting any more time, let's get into it!

Our first contender comes from enduredesigns and is labeled as "Upcycled Steampunk Clothing, King Louie Costume, Jungle Book, Monkey Costume, Headpiece, and Raffia Cape"...What a mouthful...

So, you tell me, is it Steampunk?  Use the voting buttons below.

The Corsair Uprising #1: The Azure Key is Out Now!

I'm happy to announce that the first installment of my new science fiction series is out today!  It is entitled The Corsair Uprising: The Azure Key.  The Corsair Uprising series falls under the Space Opera heading but has a lot of Steampunk elements as well.  Please check it out and if you pick it up, be sure to give an honest review on Amazon.

Synopsis:
"Liam Kidd was a freelancer for Vesta Corporation, Earth’s largest and most corrupt asteroid mining company. Through a series of events he finds himself working the mines, a fate worse than death. When an opportunity presents itself, he and two other miners escape through a nearby wormhole. They find themselves across the galaxy in the middle of a conflict between three alien species. Liam’s only chance of getting home lies in finding a device rumored to be capable of opening a singularity. Now, he and his crew must face the horrors of war to return to their own system, a challenge that might prove deadly."

Steampunk Swashbuckler Eye Patch

I've detailed Steampunk eye patches before on this blog, but none as swashbuckling-ly good as this one.  A product of TheOddCog, this baby has bling, faux leather, and an attitude that says, "I'm going to kick your ass and look good doing it."  The Odd Cog is out of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which makes me wish I lived on the East Coast.

From the seller:
"Ahoy wayfarers! Survey this unique eye patch, featuring red faux leather, glass jewel ornament as well as copper chain and gear detail. Perfect for costuming or simply turning heads wherever you stride, this piece is a must-have for swashbucklers at heart or practice. Chain band measures approximately 23" at furthest length can can be adjusted to smaller sizes."

It's times like this I wish I needed to wear an eye patch...Yeah, I can't back that up.  For a costume piece this is a great deal at $40 and would serve as a centerpiece to your outfit. 

Sound off in the comments, would you wear this piece to a convention?  I'm kind of interested in the sword myself, but then I like sharp objects. 

Trevor's Rating of the Swashbuckler Eye Patch: 95% (For a piece that reminds me of Star Dust or one of my other favorite Steampunk outings).

Photographer: Stu Cloninger/ Grass Hut Studios
Model/MUA/Stylist: La Maupin

Orkina Mechanical Steampunk Watch

This automatic self-winding watch looks stunning, but I urge you to bear with me before jumping to buy.  The brand Orkina is a Chinese company, much like Winner, which makes cheap watches.  I have no doubt that the watch's quality isn't terrible, but beware of where you buy a watch such as this one.  I found this one on Etsy for $58.00 from ArtInspiredGifts, but a quick Google search and you can find one from Amazon or AliExpress for half the price.

In my previous posts about Caifu and Winner watches, I discussed the integrity of Etsy sellers who change out the leather bands and sell it as "Handmade."  I'm not going to pontificate on that today, because I don't want to beat a dead horse.  I've made my position clear already.  What I will say is that I understand people are trying to make a buck out there, but as a buyer of products online, you, the buyer, should make sure to do your research and find the best deal. 

Having said that, I still have my Caifu pocket watch from 2009 and it works just fine, so my experience with these Chinese-made watches is actually pretty good.  It's a dog-eat-dog world out there though, so watch yourself.  *Pun intended.*

Trevor's Rating of the Orkina Mechanical Steampunk Watch: 85% (For a great looking watch you can find for about $25 USD anywhere but on Etsy).

Astronomical Steampunk Ring

Etsy user SomeMagic has made a pretty nifty little ring here.  Hailing from..."Europe," they've gotten some pretty good Etsy reviews and their prices are low.  The ring at right costs only $10.85.  The ring is adjustable and the band comes in two styles which I like.  They are not, however, waterproof.  If looking at this ring or the countless others in their shop, I would bear in mind the quality could be a little low, but the look of it is awesome.  So, as long as you don't get too attached to it you should be fine.  At the price they're practically disposable.  I say go for it.

Be sure to check out their Etsy, Twitter, and  Facebook.  (Note: after a little digging, they are out of Lithuania).

Trevor's Rating of the Astronomical Steampunk Ring: 80% (For a visually interesting ring that is not waterproof and may not be the best quality, but is still worth a look for the wearer who isn't concerned about such things).

Steampunk Monocle

Having a pair of goggles is a necessity for any Steampunker.  However, don't you want to stand out from the crowd?  This monocle could be just what you need to take your outfit to the next level.  Created by oldjunkyardboutique, this $14.99 piece of hardware is just the right price for the average partaker of Steampunk culture.  Run out of Sarasota, FL, Old Junkyard Boutique has hundreds of items for sale and almost 11,000 sales on Etsy with 2600 reviews averaging 5-stars.  This is what I like to see when finding a Steampunk shop to share with all of you.  They've been in the business since 2009 and have nary had a bad review.  Their products are reasonably priced for the average cosplayer or enthusiast, making them an excellent choice.

The Monocle above looks to have great craftsmanship.  I love the winged bit on the end of the magnifying lenses.  It's a nice added touch that gives it character.

Here's a blurb from the seller on this item: "We present Steampunk Apocalyptic Cyber Monocle- Time Travel Crazy Scientist's Oculo-Vision Tool from our collection of mad scientist treasures. Our goggles are excellent for any starship captain or officer, troop ,men, women , children, all who plan to wear eye protection against any bomb blast attack, war , or apocalypse. Adjustable Elastic Head Part, made from PVC and plastic."

Be sure to check out their Website or Etsy Shop.

Trevor's Rating of the Steampunk Monocle: 93% (For a lovely design that will bring your outfit to the next level)
Trevor's Rating of Old Junkyard Boutique: 98% (For great prices and an extensive Steampunk selection that will be sure to fill your needs)

Steampunk Steel Corset Wedding Dress

RoyalPeasantryDesign has created

this stunning representation of the perfect Steampunk wedding dress.  Its Victorian styling is accented by pieces of bronze, copper, and brass which make it really pop.

Seller's Description: "Elegant chained and powerful, coupled with dramatic structure. Properly corseted and perfectly constructed to hold the shape of the sweetheart. Your wedding dress is sure to make a lasting memory. Layered sweeping tulle skirt and fitted embellished corseted bodice of intricate metalwork design, bronze, copper, brass, beads and leathers, create the essence of found love.  Size 2-4/5"

Royal Peasantry Design is headed by Daniella Miller out of Asheville, North Carolina.  This particular dress costs $2999.00, which seems spot on with what I understand many wedding dresses cost these days. I like Daniella's work so much, this will be the first of multiple features from her shop.  Expect the second edition tomorrow.

Trevor's Rating of the Steampunk Steel Corset Wedding Dress: 98% (For a stunning design with Steampunk and tribal features that meld perfectly with its Victorian roots)

Steampunk Altitude Mask

Coming to you from Etsy user OwlVsOctopus out of Albuquerque, NM is this interesting Steampunk Altitude Mask.  Now you can pilot your airship to greater heights without worries of suffocation!  TJ, the person behind OwlVsOctopus, has several great pieces of leather gear at his shop.

From his site: "I love working with wood and leather, bringing life back into old and broken things, adding age and character to new things. I love making custom restored-vintage straight razors and steampunk pieces so that they can reflect their owners, be they Gentlemen or Scoundrels (or, usually, equal parts of each)."

So far there are only 2 reviews of the shop for different products, but both are 5 star which is promising.  He's also got some cool bracers, masks, and a pretty sweet Dart Gun pictured below, right.  The Altitude mask retails for $120 while the Dart Gun goes for $180.  If anyone has any experience with this store owner, please leave your honest opinion in the comments section below!

Trevor's Rating of the Steampunk Altitude Mask: 85% (For a cool design with nice craftsmanship but with goggles that seem hard to see out through)