I like how Steampunk Tales describes what Steampunk is.
Look at all the bling on the monitor!
Basically they say it’s science fiction of the Steam Age. When they say it’s “the Industrial Revolution re-imagined with the advantage of modern insight”–it strikes me as to how perfect that explanation is. Exactly! That’s why it’s so awesome to describe it as a post apocalyptic Steam Age world.
I just love the Victorian Age and all it’s ornate beauty in the way they decorated. Add to that the Edwardian period where society had all kinds of societies that pondered the philosophy of evolution, theology, etc. And to imagine what that mythical time period would do when given the opportunity to recreate the computer. Basically they say, “following in the footsteps of Jules Vernes and H. G. Wells, steampunk authors blend history, science and imagination into a world of wonder that might have been.” Yes. Precisely!
Here’s another definition: Steampunk is a sort of retro-futurism, in which technological developments like robots, computers, and time machines are created using the technologies of the past: steam, rivets, gears and dials as opposed to electricity or electronics. It is heavily influenced by the work of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, and steampunk fiction is often set in an idealized Victorian milieu. Read more: http://scififantasyfiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/an_introduction_to_steampunk#ixzz0R3IAVSWV
And while I’m on the subject of Steampunk Tales, please look into buying the Penny Dreadful to read on your iPhone. I don’t have an iPhone, but I do have a Sony Reader. And when I saw that Jay Lake is a contributor with one of his short stories, I decided I would definitely buy Issue #1!!! He is a fabulous author–I can attest to that!
Once I read all the stories, I’ll let you know what I think. Hey, and let me know what you think, too…
