Carina Press Week continues during our last week of Steampunkapalooza. Don’t forget to comment every day for a chance to win a prize pack of Carina Press Steampunk e-books.
First we have the winner of one of Leanna Renee Hieber’s Percy Parker books:
Tina
Congrats! Email me at suzannelazear (@) hotmail to claim your prize. Didn’t win? You can still win a $10 GC to Amazon or B&N, or another swag and book bag from RT.
Speaking of Steampunk goodies, there’s an epic contest going on right now at the ARe Cafe sponsored by our friends at the ARe Steam Society. They’re giving away twelve different Steampunk e-books and steampunk hair stuff (and who doesn’t want steampunk hair stuff.) Check it out.
Today we welcome Christine Bell.
Christine Bell is one half of the happiest couple in the world. She and her handsome hubby currently reside in Pennsylvania with a four-pack of teenage boys and their two dogs, Gimli and Pug. If she gets time off from her duties as maid, chef, chauffeur, or therapist, she can be found reading just about anything she can get her hands on, from Young Adult novels to books on poker theory. She doesn’t like root beer, clowns or bugs (except ladybugs, on account of their cute outfits), but lurrves chocolate, going to the movies, the New York Giants and playing Texas Hold ‘Em. Writing is her passion, but if she had to pick another occupation, she would be a pirate…or, like, a ninja maybe. She loves writing fun and adventure-filled romance stories, but also hopes to one day publish something her dad can read without wanting to dig his eyes out with rusty spoons. Christine loves to hear from readers, so please feel free to get in touch with her via the Contact Page.
The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale
by Christine Bell
First, let me say that I am SO excited about Steampunk Week at Carina Press! There is a great line up of books and authors, and I’m honored to be a part of it. The covers have all been gorgeous, and Carina made this cool video trailer so this has been a really fun month so far.
What I love the most, though, is the spread we’ve got. While all of this week’s books have steampunk elements, they also run the gamut of sub-genres. From erotic to paranormal, from western to time travel romance, the bases are covered.
Now, I know some purists who like their steampunk EXTRA steampunk-y, with nuttin’ else mucking it up. I’m not one of those people. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy straight steampunk. I truly do. But, as a reader, I also love seeing it mixed with other sub-genres to come up with something new and fresh. And, as an author, I like the freedom of taking the things I enjoy most when I’m reading and mashing them together.
When I was writing The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale, I knew I wanted it to be a time travel romance with a steampunk feel. I also had a loose outline of the plot. What I didn’t know was that my main character, Stormy, was going to be sarcastic and really funny. Since the tale is told from her point of view, I let her dictate the tone of the book. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with my character and, even though I knew I was veering a bit from the traditional, dark-ish, dystopian vibe that is so often present in steampunk, I couldn’t bring myself to change it. So, while there is a bit of grit (think medieval torture chambers and sanitariums) and it’s chock full of characters living on the fringe of society (think street urchins, fortune tellers and time pirates) my world is actually pretty much like real-world London and real world New England during the Victorian Era.
Instead, I chose to “get my steampunk on” through the invention of time 
travel complete with gears and goggles and wormholes, which only my characters are aware of. At the end of the day, I tried to deliver a really fun adventure story that both satisfies the steampunk craving, while still capturing a feeling of hope and happy-ever-after. I hope I succeeded!
So, how about you? Are you a purist, or do you like to see a mix of genres? Are there facets of steampunk you feel are integral to the genre that you just can’t live without?
One commenter will win an awesome mug featuring my book cover, plus a set of my Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale romance trading cards (which, I must say, are drool-worthy)!
~Christine Bell
http://www.christine-bell.com/
Oh, there’s still room in my May steampunk online writing workshop. This one will be really hands on to help you develop and finish your ms. We may even get into pitching… Info here.
So how do you like your steampunk? Straight up or mixed up?
One lucky commenter on today’s post will win a “Stormy Gale” mug and romance trading cards. Contest open until May 4th, 11:59 PM PST. Grand prize contest is open internationally. One entry, per person, per blog post during Carina Press week (so, if you comment all four days, you get four entries). Enter by leaving a comment in the comment box. Contest ends May 8, 11:59 PM PST.
STEAMED! 
I like a mixture of elements in my steampunk–I can only read so much dark, dystopian anything. For me, a world that mixed elements and has some light to it is much more believable.
yummm, if that’s an example of your trading cards, I’d say they’re drool-worthy!
Have a great day!
I love mixing genres. I love each genre on its own, but there’s something fascinating about making two worlds (or time periods) just…fit together like a puzzle. Its a time honored tradition right? That’s what HG Wells did in The Time Machine after all or 20,000 Leagues under the Sea.
This isn’t to say all things deserve to be mixed however! (an Australian friend of mine told me about a writer her in writer’s group that spoke of a novel he was working on called ‘Jesus of the Future’, in which Jesus came back to Earth as a Killer Robot. That doesn’t need to be done thank you)
Lexie
Ooh, that book sounds great. And I totally misread Devlin’s quote to be “I have a small sack”, my eyes skipping right over the rest and I felt bad for the guy. Hey, everyone’s got their problems, right?
Anyway, loving the steampunk of it all and looking forward to reading about Devlin and his small sack…of coins. *snicker*
Hi Lizzie- Yup, that’s the back of one of the trading cards. *sigh* I lurve that one.
Lexie- Wow, killer robot Jesus is an interesting one! I’m going to have to agree though, I might not be compelled to buy it.
LMAO!!! OMG, Mary, now that’s all I’m seeing when I read it too! I wish you had been there to help me pick the quotes, lol, because I’m SURE you’re not the only one. *Note to self, don’t use word “sack” on trading cards in future.
I love it when genres cross-polinate. Steampunk and paranormal is one of my favorite blends.
I don’t think there’s any such thing as PURE in genres any more — if there ever was. The fact is that life overlaps and there are elements of everything in everything else.
I’ve read that the ‘punk’ in steampunk is the fight against an oppressive authority figure, but I do prefer the happier stuff. (My current goal is to find steampunk written MaryJanice Davidson style).
Clothdragon- I do agree about the punk part, I’m glad you brought that up! I think that some form of rebellion or bucking of the status quo is required to retain the punk-iness.
In Stormy, I tried not to be heavy handed about it, but there was definitely commentary on the class inequity present in Victorian times as well as the pervasive sexism, and the treatment of the mentally ill. I feel like those issues are certainly still present in today’s society, so I felt it was important to showcase my characters, especially Stormy, but also Devlin, taking a stand, bucking tradition, and sort of flaunting it in the face of oppression.
I had the honor of reading your book for review, and it was great! Wow, it was so different from anything I’ve ever read. Whatever you’re doing, I like it!
Jennifer of Little Shelf
mixed up! and time travel seems to fit in just right. must say though, i’d like to see a bit more zombie encounters ;-D
First of all I have to admit that I’m not all that familiar with steampunk (but I did love The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.). I have only read a handful of books from the genre, and although I liked them, they didn’t make me want to run and find more of the same. But then I met Stormy Gale, and now I definitely want more of the same.
Personally I don’t mind mixing genres, it keeps things interesting and fresh. Sci-fi western? Yes, please. Time-travel romance? Count me in. I also like it when there is at least some humour included, because too dark and dreary is … well, just too dark and dreary. I want my books to be thought-provoking, not depressing.
If that’s the back of the card, I wonder what’s on the front…
Mixed up, definitly. Limiting yourself to pure steampunk is a horrendously stupid idea, because then you don’t get to enjoy all the other good stuff out there. As long as the mixes don’t get TOO weird, it’s a great way to spice up a book!
Crista, you had me at time pirates. 🙂
Der, I meant CHRISTINE. I need a drink. Maybe you could help me go back in time? haha
vvb- I love zombie movies, and I think Meljean Brook had some zombie like creatures in The Iron Duke, but so far none in my books, lol! I think there will be witches next time though!
Noah- I agree, I like to mix it up too!
Marie- I will happily join you in that drink. Hectic week, yes?
I like mixing different genres together. It makes the story more interesting to add an extra element of interest to the storyline
Hilde and Jennifer- Thanks so much, that makes my day, truly!
Julia- I concur!