Steampunk is good for Britain!

I have come to the conclusion that the splendid steampunk aesthetic is very good for Britain. Ever since falling head over heels in love/obsession with what some deem the retro Victorian/Edwardian SF movement, I have been astonished by the outburst of creativity it engenders. Up and down the country and internationally, steampunks are expressing themselves and with that comes a renaissance of exquisite craft. Steampunk means small companies and individual milliners, artists, jewellers, corset makers, gadget inventors, dress makers, tailors and crafters of all sorts of lovely . quirky things are flat out making beautiful objects of desire to sell. Charity shops also are benefiting from eager steampunks looking for things and clothes to adapt. I spend time now, hand making bustles from fabric sourced from charity shops!

Nothing brought this thought home to me more than a day spent at the first London Steampunk Market held in Islington, East London, on the 21st April. The venue was packed with stalls selling everything from cogalicious jewellery, exquisite hand crated brass goggles and steampunk fabric rabbits…these alone sold out within minutes! It was crowded yet relaxed, enormous fun and my cogling (son) and I cannot wait for the next one.

The old fashioned ethos of steampunk society is good for Britain too. Not just does it celebrate hand crafted things and individuality. Steampunk mottos include,  ’Be Splendid’ and ‘Be Nice.’  An ideal, treating everyone with decency and good manners. To not taking yourself too seriously, to accepting people for who they are, regardless of creed, ethnicity, age and sexual orientation. Not particulary Victorian maybe, but this is a movement based on fantasy after all, an age that never existed beyond the minds of Jules Verne, HG Wells and other pioneers of SF.

Beautiful hat made for me by April Oakley-Bartram

Steampunk is a vibrant movement, also inspiring novels, music and art. I love it with all my heart, my Cyrus Darian books are my humble contribution, as those who craft wonderful works of jewellery , fabulous hats etc are making theirs for the good of the community….and the economy. Britain used to make stuff. It still can!

The Unwise Woman of Fuggis Mire

My funny fantasy , The Unwise Woman of Fuggis Mire is now available to buy!

It can be ordered online, from all good bookshops, on Kindle and directly from Endaxi Press.

I made it to Alt Fiction and nearly made it back!

All the odds seemed stacked against me attending my first Alt Fiction in Derby, a one day convention to celebrate alternative fiction, horror, fantasy and sci fi.

I was invited to do a podcast…another first…a discussion about horror and dark fantasy with  author Kim Lakin Smith.

Of course two days before, a sore throat and the voice started going… a  nightmare…a mimed podcast has limited appeal…Then came the spectre of  Esme the ancient mini breaking down on the way as she was clearly not herself.

A couple of days frantically gargling medicine, looking up train time and the man of the house working hard on the car and everything finally fell into place. I was off the Alt Fiction.

A pre-conference night of insomnia, an early start and still fretting whether Esme could make it didn’t diminish my high spirits though I risked my throat singing show tunes all the way up the MI to keep alert and  awake. Shocked faces in passing cars confirmed my family’s insistance I should never, ever be allowed to sing Bali Hi…anywhere in the Universe.

I found the venue…The Quad in central Derby city easily and walked into the conference with a sigh of relief..made it !  The organising team of volunteers were marvels, good humoured, hard working and enthusiatic with smiles as bright as their red t shirts…you guys did an amazing job…thank you !

There were discussion panels running in two rooms all day, plus a busy program of podcasts with imput from the audiences, a dealers room and signings. I confess to being too busy nattering to other writers and readers to attend anything but two events. A lively discussion on horror and dark fantasy , chaired by Kim Lakin Smith with Marie O’Regan, Tim Lebbon and Paul Kane.  I also went to hear Rob Shearman give a reading of one of his strange and wonderful short stories brought to vibrant life by his excellent delivery. Also Graham Joyce  read from his latest book , he told us Hollywood has bought a film option on it prior to publication. Exciting ! You could hear a pin drop as we listened to such beautiful, moving writing.

Then it was time for the podcast. This turned out not to as daunting as I dreaded, Kim is a delightful, articulate lady and passionate about both her writing and the  dystopian city scapes, folklore and history that inspire  her. Kim’s work includes science fiction , gas and steam punk and dark fantasy short stories and novellas.  Her debut novel Tourniquet is published by Immanion Press.  We had a fascinating discussion with each other and with the enthusiastic audience and the hour seemed to pass  in an eyeblink!

By now exhausted, I left the conference still busy and buzzing. to return home but met disaster after a few miles along the A52. Esme began to spew smoke, filling up the car within seconds. I pulled over at a petrol station, terrifying the lone attendent convinced the car was about to explode and take us all out in a huge explosion. Another driver pointed out the water pouring out of the engine…it was smelly steam not smoke. Phew! None of us including Esme were destined to meet a fiery demise.

Luckily a knight in shining RAC uniform came swiflty to my rescue, fixed Esme and sent me on my way…singing more show tunes including another rendition of Bali Hi and inexplicably a medley of cockney knees up songs…anything to keep me awake!

A long, long and eventful day but well worth it, Alt Fiction is a gem of an event and highly recommended to all readers, new writers and published authors of speculative fiction.  It is busy therefore packed with events, yet fun and in an intimate setting that encourages strangers to chat to each other, a networking dream !

Huzzah !  The Unwise Woman of Fuggis Woman is now available for pre-order!http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.endaxipress.com%2F%3FP%3D12&h=cb535

Cyrus Darian and the Technomicron

London, 1874, where brash new technology exists alongside occult forces. Cyrus Darian is torn between gaining power or doing the right thing. Never an easy choice.

 

Cyrus Darian; hedonist, philanderer, alchemist and necromancer is approached by a wealthy American to find a mysterious occult book called the Technomicron. He soon finds out most of London’s criminal and spiritual underworld wants it too.

After a vicious attack on his home, Darian gathers up his team of trusted adventurers, including an inventor, a demon and a half human shapeshifter.
Nothing in Heaven, Earth or Hell will stop him getting hold of the book for himself despite not knowing what it is or what it can do.

Can he also trust his shapeshifter lover, the beautiful and bewitching Lady Teknoligi, owner of the insanely itinerant Emporium of Magickal Curios? Her knowledge could give Darian the edge he needs over his enemies but she could also kill him on her own pursuit of the Technomicron.

After all, she had tried to kill him before….

The first of a series of Cyrus Darian steampunk misadventures

 

 

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Preview critique… 

‘This is an extremely good example of steampunk. An impressively imagined pseudo Victorian world of airships, clockwork men, brass goggles, steam hansoms, and deadly polluting gasworks. This is the type of steampunk that embraces the dark magical world of powerful ancient artefacts, ethereal creatures, and demonic conjuring. There are wonderful contrasts of location, from dreamlike emporiums to the bustling streets of London. Darian is perfect as the main character, with a mixed heritage, shifting ethics, and a wealth of skill and experience. The writing must be praised here, for it is luxuriously elegant, the rich descriptions conveying even the sense of smell (a favourite of mine). I really enjoyed reading ‘Cyrus Darian and the Technomicron’.

© Raven Dane 2010

Odyssey 2010…EasterCon

A belated blog about  Odyssey 2010 , one of sci fi and fantasy fandom’s greatest conventions. I got such a charge to my creative batteries from this wonderful event, I have been too busy writing a new book.

This year the  event graced the Radisson Edwardian Hotel near Heathrow Airport, a luxurious, comfortable but Euclidian building.  The layout appeared to change at random, I swear I could see the shadow of  the minotaur down one of the many corridor labyrinths.

It didn’t eat me, too old and chewy I suspect which left me free to enjoy a packed and varied programme of events…some not really sci fi related but certainly no less fun. Sadly,  I was too cackhanded to attempt to knit my own Clanger or build an interdimentional robot. There were panels and quizes covering a wide range of sci fi and fantasy interests from the deeply scientfic to the borderline insane. I love that !

Inevitably there was such a surfeit of riches, that some clashed, something impossible to avoid with so many wonderful things happening at once. Thanks to the wonders of 21st century, many panels were recorded as podcasts.

Nor did I have  mega cool clothes to go the Steam Punk Ball either but I have a year to get some before the next EasterCon….

I need these fun events to give the batteries of  my creative inner workings  a much needed boost. Meeting so many talented, creative people gives me the kick up the backside I deserve.   Odyssey worked so well I haven’t stopped writing my first steampunk novel Cyrus Darian and the Technomicron since I returned home… Thank you Odyssey people …much huggage !

I was supposed to be launching my first funny fantasy ; The Unwise Woman of Fuggis Mire at Odyssey. Delays at the publishers meant I went to the Con empty handed but I was delighted to be invited on the panels of several discussions, all well attended with enthusiastic and lively audiences that joined in the discussions with insight and good humour…the best kind!

Friday night I was on a panel discussing the  modern interpretation of Arthur and Merlin legends. With three eminent historians and authors, Kari Sperring and Edward James and  Liz Williams.  I felt out of my depth but there was no need to worry. They were lovely. The debate between me and fellow panelist Nickey Barnard championing the BBC Merlin became  a tad  lively at times but we both thoroughly enjoyed the good-natured verbal jousting.

On Saturday, after doing a book signing session, I was able to relax for the whole day. It was a joy to attend as many panels as possible as a member of the audience including a fascinating and informative one on swordplay by Steve Kilbane who helped us learn the correct way to use rapiers, longswords and other weapons

Sis in law picked my up from the hotel and we went home on Sunday to join in the Great Family Easter Egg Hunt and then brought me back during the evening.

Monday was a busy one for me. I had a thoroughly entertaining time on the panel discussing funny fantasy where I was a good girl and didn’t plug The Unwise Woman….yeah right!  As if….OK. I confess to a small degree of shameless plugging. Also on the panel were John Coxon,author Johnny Nexus, comedian Donna Scott and the delightful American author Esther Friesner with her hamster ears. ( She raises money for charity by doing cheeblemancy…divination by hamster! )Later in the day with the help of a massive dose of  caffeine , I managed to summon enough energy to be on the panel discussing researching fantasy with the event’s Guest of Honour Liz Williams,Jane Killick and MD Lachlan.

A perfect end to a fabulous weekend.   I found out  what filking was and that it wasn’t something rude, missed the bondage demonstrations which would have been, didn’t knit a Clanger and made lovely new friends.

In convention terms, as near as perfect as you can get.

Thank you all the organising team, you are diamonds !

Raven and Enta the Dragon

The Unwise Woman of Fuggis Mire

I am delighted to announce my first funny fantasy novel. The Unwise Woman of Fuggis Mire is to be published by Endaxi Press in spring 2010

Prince Rafial’s Castle

Built high in a distant desolate land, where mountains ceased to resemble toblerones but became twisted malevolent shards of stone, where eerie winds moaned through bone strewn valleys, was a black fortress. It had many names, Allhopes End, The Hall of Despair, Deathskull Palace. Which made it hellish for postmen.

Darkness reigned supreme in this place, called the Land of Darkness and Despair or Land of Hackneyed Clichés to the more worldly wise of its night-bred inhabitants. A greenish-yellow sulphurous mist swirled through the forests and around the base of the fortress. Large bats permanently flitted around the turrets in a dizzying whirl. Obviously in shifts except at weekends when the skeleton crew took over.

The moon was always full and often blood red when it felt the need for added melodrama. And whenever anyone or anything approached the fortress, a violent thunderstorm would strake the night sky, a sort of paranormal intruder alarm. The worse offenders for setting it off were the werewolves using the storm has an impromptu bath when their coats became too manky. The evil minion guards of the castle had become accustomed to so many false alarms and now ignored them, a case of crying werewolf.

Despite this, the demon that lived there called it home. A reluctant dweller on Earth, he had been kicked out of Hell for the heinous crime of dissension. To Rafial, all that prodding with pitchforks had seemed so petty, so pointless. An eternity living in sulphur scented darkness with no reality TV and soaps was surely punishment enough for the souls of the damned? What was the point of having devilish powers and a fallen angel’s beauty just to dangle food on long poles in front of the eternally hungry? And do all that annoying maniacal laughter. It was so trivial and tedious.  His dissent had led to banishment, condemned to live amongst humans for eternity. It could have been worse. Living with lemmings or wombats would have been far more problematical.

With a huge, gloomy castle to roam in and plenty to read, Rafial was content. Unlike his daughter Demonica. Born of a human woman, she was desperate to create merry hell on earth. Bored and restless, she frequently railed at her father to go out and wreak some satanic havoc, to corrupt souls and torment people.  But Rafial was adamant. He would leave humans alone if they didn’t bother him. They had enough misery in their lives already…clip on ties, verrucas, puberty, gangsta rap, piccalilli, spam emails selling shlong enlarging cream…the list was endless.

In her spacious, cobweb draped quarters, Demonica stood in front of a suitably gothic mirror, black glass, dark pewter surround decorated with sculls, dragon claws and bats. A click of her fingers and the mirror cleared. She was darkly glamorous like her late mother, tall, with long slim legs, an ample bosom and a tiny waist. The tumble of her raven locks down her back hid two neat horns, courtesy of her father’s side of the family as were her neat yet sharp fangs. Her eyes were jet black and would flare into flame when angry – which was often. Long, blood red painted talons completed her look. To her dismay she had not inherited her father’s impressive black wings. Wasted on him of course, another sore point, Rafial never flew anywhere.

Unlike the contents of her chambers. The demon’s daughter stepped back from her mirror and kicked a childhood favourite toy, her scarebear flying across the room to bounce off the furthest wall. It waited, crumpled into a heap on the flagstones until her attention was drawn to a pile of magazines by her bed before wisely slinking into the shadows. Around Demonica agitated by her fury and frustration spun a dizzying tornado of ‘Succubus’ and ‘Lilith’ and other teenage girly demonic magazines as well as a copy of ‘Not Ok’ featuring hot gossip from the damned in Hell.  What was the point of them all anyway? Time wasting trivia, she had no intention of becoming trapped in perpetual ennui like her pathetic father.

Time for action, with a flash of fire from her eyes, she incinerated the flock of magazines and all of her toys, save the cowering hidden scarebear.

Dressing in her favourite skin tight black leather cat suit decorated with vicious looking stud and spikes and arming herself with various weapons of mass destruction, Demonica was ready. Watch out world, the Daughter of Darkness was on her way, ready to kick some weakling human backsides!

FCon 2009 and Gamesfest4

It’s Warhammer Time!

Another fun time at the annual fest of all things gamer…Gamesfest 4 where I was one of the invited guest authors. This year, the more spacious venue of the Coloseum  in Watford was needed to house so much for RPG enthusiasts to enjoy. And yet again, the organisers made us scribblers most welcome and looked after us very well.

It was great to meet up with old friends, Steve Dean, Peter Mark May, Derek Gunn and many others.  Last year we had a sweet fight, authors versus graphic artists.  This year we ate the sweets…Haribo monsters. I could swear I picked out a jelly Chluthu. Not every day you get to eat a brain devouring primordial god.

I shared a table with Bob Fischer, author of the hilarious book, ‘Wiffle Lever to Full’….a must for all those who remember eating butterscotch angel delight while watching Dr Who behind the sofa.

Later I met top selling historical writer Robyn Young who apart from being very glamorous . was also charming and lovely to chat with. We were both guests at this year’s Elf Fantasy Festival in Holland but our paths did not cross at that huge event.

Thank you Mark and all the hardworking team at Gamesfest…it was an enjoyable event.  One that will continue to grow.

FCon 2009

What is it about the British Fantasy Society’s annual get together…FCon ? Even after four years attendance, I still get that delicious buzz of excitement on the longish drive up to Nottingham.  Nothing on the journey can dampen it, bad weather, terrible drivers. Being stuck in a traffic jam and running out of Opal Fruits….Pah, they will never be called Starbursts in my car.

There is a simple answer. The anticipation of a long weekend spent with great company, an escape from  groundhog daily life and the packed programme of panels, film shows , a quiz and book launches.
The team of hard working volunteers did us proud , a relaxed, fun and efficiently run event.

Thank you everyone, with this FCon you do spoil us.

Personal highlights….Being on my first panel at FCon, discussing vampires. And having so many people seek me out afterwards to congratulate me on my contribution. I needed that affirmation being used to appearing on panels in Ireland where there is always a lively contribution from the audience from the off.  A two way discussion and banter. In the UK, people are more reserved so it was hard to know whether I was rubbish. It seems not…phew.

Also meeting a table full of new people (to me) on Friday night’s quiz.  In  the tradition of FCon, they saw me and author friend Adam Greenwood sitting on our own and invited us to join them. They were all wonderful, fun company. Thank you for the hospitality!   The quiz is designed to break the ice at the event and it always works a treat.  Especially when huge bowls of hot chips were delivered to every table.

Personal lowlights…Missing Sebasian Peake’s talk.  My fault, too much gossiping to noticing the time.

And falling asleep in my room and missing the BFS awards….huge congrats to all the winners, so sorry I wasn’t there to give a big cheer.

Not being solvent enough to buy an Andy Bigwood print that I fell in love with  in the Fantasy Art exhibition. ( Or to commission an Ann Sudworth original….one day though!)  There were so many beautiful pieces in a variety of media to enjoy and buy.

After a well attended and lively reading session of my work last year,  I was relieved not to be the only one with zero attendance this year.  Maybe it was the lack of oxygen and Sherpas to get people up  to the tenth floor?  Many of us thought it would be lovely if the reading sessions could be held down in the main body of the Con, perhaps in that little quiet lounge area between the registration area and main bar?

Anyway, a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable FCon.

I came away with nearly as many books as I arrived with, including Sam Stone’s delicious, intelligent and sensuous Futile Flame.

Roll on FCon 2010 !