Tuesday, August 16, 2011

My first Steamcon

I registered for Steamcon III, which is a three-day convention for steampunk fans in Bellevue, WA, October 14-16. This may be the best idea I've ever had or the worst, because it is going to take me right out of my comfort zone.

Like, forcibly, and by steam-powered submarine.

I'm drawn to the steampunk aesthetic, but I'm very new to the genre.

Any book or art suggestions I should know about? I'm looking for personal favorites. (I just got Boneshaker by Cherie Priest.)

Or, if you've been to an earlier Steamcon, do you have any tips for a first-timer?

I see they offer an "intro to steampunk" workshop that conflicts with PAX (Penny Arcade Expo), so I have to be bold and just wing it. I'm told I should acquire goggles and a corset. Beyond that I'll just be bringing loads of enthusiasm and my undivided attention.

Stay tuned for another fish-out-of-water adventure.

7 comments:

GreenDragon said...

Michael and I went to the first Steamcon and really enjoyed it. We missed the second but might make it to the third.

Cherie Priest is a great place to start with Steampunk novels. There is also an anthology of short stories I'd recommend edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer called Steampunk. In addition, I enjoyed the novel "The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack" by Mark Hodder.

Mark Andrew Edwards said...

I'd also suggest the Girl Genius webcomic by the Foglio's.

Folly Blaine said...

Cool! Thanks, GreenDragon and Mark.

Diana Vick said...

Hi! I hope you don't mind but I saw your question and thought I'd chime in. I write a blog that might help. www,dianavick.com. And this article seems pertinent. http://www.squidoo.com/dressingsteampunk
I'll be teaching a few of the classes and I run Steampunk University. Sorry you'll miss it. Say "hi" at Steamcon?

~Diana

Folly Blaine said...

Hi, Diana! Thank you so much for your comment. I will definitely check out your site and the article.

I look forward to meeting you at Steamcon.

- Christy "Folly Blaine"

matt said...

Look at Gail Carriger's Soulless. It is the fist of a series. I picked it up at an airport bookstore on a trip and that tiny little woman’s writing is so God damn good that she hooked me (qwerky, well built characters and she uses English as an offensive weapon…). She was at Steamcon last year signing books and was very sweet and approachable.

Folly Blaine said...

Thanks, matt. I'll check her out. Can't say no to somebody who uses English as a weapon. :)