Australian publisher Black House are currently producing a series called The Dark Detective, a decidedly gothic and almost necessarily steampunky take on Sherlock Holmes written by Christopher Sequeira (who, besides being a Doyle scholar and writer, has apparently appeared as Moriarty on the television) and illustrated by Phil Cornell. The second issue is available now on newstands around Australia.
Continuum dispatchacule. At Ether, the ceiling breathes—which disturbs one on a surprising number of levels. “Steampunk 101″ modestly well-attended; all agreed the “-punk” is misleading, although Richard Harland was prepared to mount an argument. GOH speech worthwhile. Hotel coffee potable.
This weekend will see a contingent of League members attending Continuum, a steampunk-flavoured science fiction convention at the appropriately-named Ether (265 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne). Registration opens at 6pm tomorrow (Friday 14-August), with full attending rate of $210 on the door (although day rates are available).
The 2009 programme for the Melbourne Writers Festival (which is apparently unpunctuated, no doubt in deference to modernity) includes a series of items at the stylish Toff in Town, notably “McSweeny’s (Futuristic) Antipodean Adventure” (Saturday, August 29 — Mme. M and self will be transiting the podes, alas — 8pm–11pm; $25), which features our own Mad Uncle Cliff.
Of course, many fine writers (including China Miéville and Scott Westerfeld) will also be in attendance.
As the League’s Secretary, I am charged with getting the word about. To that end I’ve made use of the ALTV’s extensive (if occasionally antiquated) internet infrastructure to establish a distribution mechanism for electronic mail. This “members’ discussion list” is intended both to provide a medium for a notification service relating to the League’s official activities (some of you will already have seen a posting from the President regarding our recent Queen’s Birthday dinner) and to facilitate casual exchange between the members within the bounds of decency.
(Please note that you will need to use the “password reminder” system on the information page in order to change details of your subscription, or to access the automated list archives.)
Membership of the list is currently restricted to league members and invited guests. Please get in touch if you have any questions regarding League membership or the list.
The Brisbane Steampunkers picnic on Saturday had about 35 people turn up all told and some fantastic outfits. Most of the pictures are on the Facebook event at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=99289119155 but we’re working on moving some of them to non-Facebook areas so non-Facebook people can see the outstanding efforts. I cannot describe what a great time I had at the picnic, and I want to thank everyone who turned up - from the girls and guy who turned up first with the crazy chocolate cookies (2 minute noodles?) through to the organisers of Prometheus Bound (awesome Steampunk nightclub) who arrived in the afternoon after getting some much needed sleep. Especially to all the photographers.
Freeconomy is apparently a kind of distributed gift economy with an international membership of about 10,000. Its faux silent movie introduction is certainly amusing.
“Wondermark: an illustrated jocularity” is a webcomic by “David Malki !” which captions victorianesque illustrations with the satirical and the surreal, to a self-consciously “Steampunk’d” result. It’s frequently good for a chuckle, and one can read it via Livejournal.
You might also enjoy this webcomic-style take on Babbage and Lovelace from the BBC.
Well hello there…
I am being wooed by a journalist who has been commissioned to write an article on all things steampunk for some major newspapers.
She asks, if I could assemble some Melbourne Steampunks for her to talk to. “Could I!!” say I. “This Friday!” says she…
“Hmm. Rather short notice”, say I, “but I’ll see what I can do.”
So - Friday afternoon, CBD - if you are available and you would like to be famous and in the paper and whatnot.. please email me for the details… steampunkerie AT gmail DOT com. She is especially keen to meet some MAKERS, so if you are of that persuasion, do please try to come along.
Thanks ever so much… we now return to your regularly scheduled programming…
Title: 2009 Snow Train - Steamrail Victoria
Location: Mt St Gwinear, Victoria
Link out: Click here
Description: Come along for our annual trip to the Snowfields of Mount Saint Gwinear. About the train: Fully Restored by Steamrail as part of Victoria’s important rail heritage and is fully authentic, not a recreation. Our fleet of heritage steam
locomotives date from 1903, while the carriages date from 1906. The train features beautiful
timber panelling, walk through corridors, comfortable compartment style seating, licensed bar and buffet car, and toilets and washrooms.
Start Time: 8:15
Date: 2009-07-26
End Time: 19:30
Fiend Magazine Issue #18 - The Steampunk Issue is now available instore @ Wildilocks & now online from the webstore too! Tons of awesome stuff and of course, featuring a variety of articles on various aspects of Steampunk, including an interview with Doctor Steel, our very own The Tenth Stage, the delectable Kate O’Brien’s lush and steamy photography, and simply lashings of Steampunk fashion! The ALTV is mentioned too, huzzah!
Being Steampunk focused, I won’t be at all surprised if this issue sells out fast. Grab yours, poste haste!
Cheers,
Ermyntrude