I am happy to say that Steampunk was everywhere at the recent Romantic Times Booklovers Convention, which was held in Los Angeles, April 6-10, 2011. Yes, I am finally just getting around to writing about it. Do you know how much time Steampunkapalooza takes?
RT was amazing, I’d never been to one before and had a few reservations. There were several Steampunk panels — I was on one Steampunk panel and one about writing historical fantasy (with Gail Carriger, squee). One of the publishing houses, Samhain, had a Steampunk high tea.
Then, of course, there was the Steampunk Social that I was in charge of along with Kady Cross, Kassy Taylor, Deb Schneider, and Seleste deLaney.
I volunteered to make about 250 cakepops for the social–because you all know I’m a huge slacker and have nothing else to do than spend 10 hours baking. Per hotel rules, every cakepop had to be individually wrapped, too. Good thing I was local and didn’t have to fly them in my suitcase.
I’d also picked up all the clothes from the fashion show from Clockwork Couture, who graciously lent us all the beautiful fashions our models wore. RT involved a lot of me schlepping things from my car to Kady’s room, since I had the clothes, the cakepops, the centerpieces, the fans, several door prizes, and a lot of things for the swag bags. Kady also volunteers her room for us to put all 100 of the swag bags together. (Did you know we work very, very hard to put these socials together?)
Also, I was in full Steampunk dress most of the time. Since Leanna Renee Hieber couldn’t make it I even wore (nearly) all black one day in honor of her, since usually she’s the one in black and I’m the one in pink.
The social itself went really well. Close to 100 people gathered for Steampunk swag, cake and tea, a fashion show, a costume contest, and lots of door-prizes.
But you really want to see gratuitous pictures of Steampunk clothing, not hear me babble about party planning.
Here’s Kady Cross, the Steampunk track captain.
And here’s the fab Kassy Taylor. 
Here’s Deb Schneider, along with the winner of our costume contest (the one in the sash). She *made* her costume on a treadle sewing machine. Wow.
I don’t have a close up of Seleste deLaney. (Seleste, why don’t I have a picture of you?).
Since this was tea and cake, I wore pink and a large hat for the occasion. Not that I need a reason to wear a large hat.
The fashion show was a smashing success and everyone loved the pretties from Clockwork Couture.
Here’s Beth and Erin (same dress, different color).
Here’s Erin and Zoe Archer.
Here’s Marcella. (I love this dress.)
And, for some reason I don’t have a close up of Kristen Painter. (Can you tell my camera died, so I had to gather pictures. Thanks to everyone who I begged, borrowed, and stole pictures from.)
We had several people come to the social in costume, so we had a costume contest. Here’s me getting the crowd to help us pick a winner. Can anyone identify these lovely ladies? We never got their names.
Over all, the social was a smashing success. Despite the hard work, I’d plan another one of these in an instant. Here’s everyone in costume (except for Kristen. She’s somehow escaped all of my pictures. Anyone have any pics of her in costume?)
Do you have a favorite outfit? A favorite flavor of cakepop? A random comment on Steampunk or Steampunk fashion? I have one more bag of swag and books from RT, including the *very last* swag bag left over from the party. I’ll give it to one lucky commenter. Contest closes April 30 at 11:59 PM PST.
STEAMED! 