Usually I open with the main discussion and add on the tidbits I've picked up during the week at the end, but this week I'm going to experiment with something a little different, as I want to spotlight Mira Conci, a new friend I've made over at the Steampunk Empire, and the delightful project she is working to get off the ground. The project is called Steamychums, and to the left is the beautiful little sloth figure. He is currently accompanied by a fox, and should this take off, I see no reason why they wouldn't be joined by a whole menagerie of wonderful little clockwork animals. These would make great desk companions or gifts for collectors and children, though they are solid clay or similar material, and may not hold up to extended play.
Steamychums is currently in the midst of a Kickstarter campaign which can be viewed in its entirety at the link above. Being in its startup phase, there is, of course, no provision to order now, nor any word on what the final price might be, but this is definitely worth a look if this is the sort of thing that floats your boat. A great little project that could wind up going big, and you could be in on the ground floor. Here are a few more pictures in case you need a little additional prodding!
UPDATE! I just got word from Miri that these are made from resin, and that they are available for purchase from the Kickstarter site. I have no experience with them myself, but contact her at her site above, and she can hook you up.
Steamychums is currently in the midst of a Kickstarter campaign which can be viewed in its entirety at the link above. Being in its startup phase, there is, of course, no provision to order now, nor any word on what the final price might be, but this is definitely worth a look if this is the sort of thing that floats your boat. A great little project that could wind up going big, and you could be in on the ground floor. Here are a few more pictures in case you need a little additional prodding!
UPDATE! I just got word from Miri that these are made from resin, and that they are available for purchase from the Kickstarter site. I have no experience with them myself, but contact her at her site above, and she can hook you up.
Here's a reminder to be careful on the internet. You all know this, nobody needs to be reminded, but just to remind everyone anyway: The internet has no gatekeepers. Anyone can put anything they want on there, unvetted, unproven, and occasionally, I suspect, untrue. ***gasp!*** I frequent a number of writers' sites, and some of the things said on them tend to be accepted without question. A dangerous practice. Case in point: A new writer asked what was a reasonable length of time to complete a 100,000 word novel (Real answer: As long as it takes). A veteran of 20-odd published books made the statement that they (not even disclosing the gender, notice) once completed a 230,000 word draft in a weekend. Everyone just oohed and ahhed, and went on like they were in the presence of godhood. First of all, anyone who's been writing for more than a few months has done a marathon session of their own and has a good idea what's possible. Secondly, 230,000 words isn't a draft, it's at least a book and its sequel. And finally, apparently no one in this group has ever encountered basic arithmetic. There are 48 hours in a weekend, or 2880 minutes. If you type at rate of 90 words per minute (and most people who aren't trained professional typists are lucky if they can manage half of that) and you can maintain that pace indefinitely without slowing down for a single minute, or making a single error that has to be corrected for an entire weekend, you can lay down 230,000 words in 45.5 hours, leaving you two and a half hours for meals, naps, stretches, bathroom breaks, and planning what character A should say to character B while you're typing. While this author is obviously a master of fiction and self-promotion, I am no longer a member of that particular group. Something about the suspension of disbelief...
Facebook. We've all heard the horror stories. Here's mine. I joined a group for readers and writers, the appreciation of the literary profession. Not long after, I was telling my daughter about something her brother had posted, and with her looking over my shoulder, I went to my Home tab, where it lists things that people have sent to you over the last week or so. As I scrolled down to find my son's post, it stopped on a video, tagged as coming from that book-lovers' group, that showcased a woman having unnatural relations with a large dog. Now, I suppose that books are about everything, and everything must by definition include women getting busy with their pets, but really, if I'm joining a bestiality porn site, I'd like to be told that up front. Now my next couple of years will be devoted to trying to regain the respect of my daughter while simultaneously thanking God Almighty that my 12-year old granddaughter wasn't standing behind me. Thanks again, Facebook.
While exploring one of those sites, I did encounter a post that gave me pause to think, and I share it here for my fellow indies to explore for themselves. The subject is "Blog Tours." This is a phenomenon in which an author signs up for a Tour, and his book will supposedly be read and reviewed on a whole sequence of review blogs. I have heard several authors wax euphoric over having taken part in one of these, though no one I have read has been inclined to disclose what sort of sales bump he experienced following the burst of publicity. I suspect from my own experience that most of these blogs are read by a handful of friends and followers, and the author would get as much exposure by leaving a few copies in a bus station, but this particular writer pointed out a pitfall I hadn't thought of. Many of these Blog Tours are arranged by brokers who, having taken the author's money, sends his name on a list of many to a list of blogs he has acquired through fair means or foul, none of whom is obligated to read or review his book. It should go without saying that in addition to the brokering fee, the author is also on the hook for free review copies. It's a free-for-all on the other side of that screen. My advice: Work with bloggers you know, and sites you know are reputable. Even then, it's a crapshoot...
One more item in that vein to mention before I wrap this up is Paid Reviews. This is a convention in which an author pays a reviewer a fee, in exchange for which said reviewer writes a review of the book. I'm not going to say these are disreputable. Many of these reviewers may be as honest as Abe Lincoln, but there is a stigma to the perception. See, if you are a reader, and you come across a glowing review, and then at the bottom is the disclaimer, "Reviewer was paid a fee for this review," then the reader can't really judge whether the book was good, or what was paid for was a glowing review. Personally, I avoid these, and recommend that you do, too. As much as I would like to have a high number of reviews, I would rather those that I have be above question. There are plenty of quality reviewers out there who can be located and approached by both readers and writers. Some of them are linked on these pages. Save your money.
Facebook. We've all heard the horror stories. Here's mine. I joined a group for readers and writers, the appreciation of the literary profession. Not long after, I was telling my daughter about something her brother had posted, and with her looking over my shoulder, I went to my Home tab, where it lists things that people have sent to you over the last week or so. As I scrolled down to find my son's post, it stopped on a video, tagged as coming from that book-lovers' group, that showcased a woman having unnatural relations with a large dog. Now, I suppose that books are about everything, and everything must by definition include women getting busy with their pets, but really, if I'm joining a bestiality porn site, I'd like to be told that up front. Now my next couple of years will be devoted to trying to regain the respect of my daughter while simultaneously thanking God Almighty that my 12-year old granddaughter wasn't standing behind me. Thanks again, Facebook.
While exploring one of those sites, I did encounter a post that gave me pause to think, and I share it here for my fellow indies to explore for themselves. The subject is "Blog Tours." This is a phenomenon in which an author signs up for a Tour, and his book will supposedly be read and reviewed on a whole sequence of review blogs. I have heard several authors wax euphoric over having taken part in one of these, though no one I have read has been inclined to disclose what sort of sales bump he experienced following the burst of publicity. I suspect from my own experience that most of these blogs are read by a handful of friends and followers, and the author would get as much exposure by leaving a few copies in a bus station, but this particular writer pointed out a pitfall I hadn't thought of. Many of these Blog Tours are arranged by brokers who, having taken the author's money, sends his name on a list of many to a list of blogs he has acquired through fair means or foul, none of whom is obligated to read or review his book. It should go without saying that in addition to the brokering fee, the author is also on the hook for free review copies. It's a free-for-all on the other side of that screen. My advice: Work with bloggers you know, and sites you know are reputable. Even then, it's a crapshoot...
One more item in that vein to mention before I wrap this up is Paid Reviews. This is a convention in which an author pays a reviewer a fee, in exchange for which said reviewer writes a review of the book. I'm not going to say these are disreputable. Many of these reviewers may be as honest as Abe Lincoln, but there is a stigma to the perception. See, if you are a reader, and you come across a glowing review, and then at the bottom is the disclaimer, "Reviewer was paid a fee for this review," then the reader can't really judge whether the book was good, or what was paid for was a glowing review. Personally, I avoid these, and recommend that you do, too. As much as I would like to have a high number of reviews, I would rather those that I have be above question. There are plenty of quality reviewers out there who can be located and approached by both readers and writers. Some of them are linked on these pages. Save your money.
THE BLIMPRIDER CHRONICLES
Writing Progress: Another reader of Beyond the Rails, Volume I rated the book on Goodreads. No review was left, but the rating had to be a Five, as it pulled the overall rating up to a solid Four. My thanks to you, whoever you are, and I'm glad you enjoyed the book!
Episode 9, The Adventurer, which will appear in Volume II, was completed Sunday and posted on writing.com for free reads and critiques. I am thrilled to report that it has already garnered a Five-star rating, the highest that can be awarded, so drop by check it out. This will be the only time this story can be read for free, and it will be available for 4 - 6 weeks. The only restriction is that you have to be a writing.com member to read it, but membership is also free; I can't make it any easier than that!
Friends up to Mischief: This week, Joe of 70s Child conjures up some smiles with his memories of growing up in the 70s, the boys of Nerd Lunch take a hilarious tour of Craig's List ads, and in a very special return of an old friend I haven't heard from in ages, NicoVee, a video journalist, blogs about leaving her dog behind as she moves with her daughter to Central America. Her blog is called Raising a Revolutionary, and is the story of her efforts to raise her beloved daughter without the support of the child's father. I should warn you that, unlike so many of the "Three Stooges" kind of humor I try to toss around here, Nicole will sometimes break your heart. She is well-educated, well-traveled, and articulate to a fault, and if you have any tears in you, some of her posts will bring them out, including the latest about her dog.
Episode 9, The Adventurer, which will appear in Volume II, was completed Sunday and posted on writing.com for free reads and critiques. I am thrilled to report that it has already garnered a Five-star rating, the highest that can be awarded, so drop by check it out. This will be the only time this story can be read for free, and it will be available for 4 - 6 weeks. The only restriction is that you have to be a writing.com member to read it, but membership is also free; I can't make it any easier than that!
Friends up to Mischief: This week, Joe of 70s Child conjures up some smiles with his memories of growing up in the 70s, the boys of Nerd Lunch take a hilarious tour of Craig's List ads, and in a very special return of an old friend I haven't heard from in ages, NicoVee, a video journalist, blogs about leaving her dog behind as she moves with her daughter to Central America. Her blog is called Raising a Revolutionary, and is the story of her efforts to raise her beloved daughter without the support of the child's father. I should warn you that, unlike so many of the "Three Stooges" kind of humor I try to toss around here, Nicole will sometimes break your heart. She is well-educated, well-traveled, and articulate to a fault, and if you have any tears in you, some of her posts will bring them out, including the latest about her dog.
STEAMPUNKS IN THE NEWS
Chattanooga Hosts First Ever "Steampunk" Expo
WTVC
- Aug 10, 2014
This weekend, hundreds of Steampunk enthusiasts attended the first-ever event in Chattanooga. Many of them, wearing elaborate costumes. "Just the extraordinary creativity and talent of people when they put costumes together, says Karen West. "It's fun.
Steampunk is celebration of history. Local festival Aug. 30 and 31
Hannibal.net
- Aug 09, 2014
It will include a Steampunk Art Competition sponsored by the Hannibal Arts Council. The entry deadline is Friday, Aug. 15. It will include drawings, sculpture, oil paintings, pottery, woodcarving, fiber arts, photographs, articles of clothing, jewelry ...
Steampunk ferret carnival will bring games, auction to West Linn
The Oregonian
- Jul 31, 2014
This year's steampunk theme is a little out of the ordinary but shouldn't be a serious obstacle for those taking part in the costume contest, Mathis said. "Some of our members have gone overboard already," she said, laughing. A Lake Oswego veterinarian ...
Escapes: North Coast steampunk fun
Sacramento Bee
- Aug 02, 2014
Don your corset and Victorian-era skirt – or tailored suit and monocles – and head to Mendocino County's third annual steampunk festival, Kinetic Carnivale. The weekend holds a wealth of events, including handcar races at the Skunk Train tracks, ...
And that's 30 for tonight, folks. Play nice, look out for one another, and above all else, get out there and live life like you mean it!
WTVC
- Aug 10, 2014
This weekend, hundreds of Steampunk enthusiasts attended the first-ever event in Chattanooga. Many of them, wearing elaborate costumes. "Just the extraordinary creativity and talent of people when they put costumes together, says Karen West. "It's fun.
Steampunk is celebration of history. Local festival Aug. 30 and 31
Hannibal.net
- Aug 09, 2014
It will include a Steampunk Art Competition sponsored by the Hannibal Arts Council. The entry deadline is Friday, Aug. 15. It will include drawings, sculpture, oil paintings, pottery, woodcarving, fiber arts, photographs, articles of clothing, jewelry ...
Steampunk ferret carnival will bring games, auction to West Linn
The Oregonian
- Jul 31, 2014
This year's steampunk theme is a little out of the ordinary but shouldn't be a serious obstacle for those taking part in the costume contest, Mathis said. "Some of our members have gone overboard already," she said, laughing. A Lake Oswego veterinarian ...
Escapes: North Coast steampunk fun
Sacramento Bee
- Aug 02, 2014
Don your corset and Victorian-era skirt – or tailored suit and monocles – and head to Mendocino County's third annual steampunk festival, Kinetic Carnivale. The weekend holds a wealth of events, including handcar races at the Skunk Train tracks, ...
And that's 30 for tonight, folks. Play nice, look out for one another, and above all else, get out there and live life like you mean it!