Announcing the Blog Contest Winner:
The winner is Marian Allen. Congratulations Marian. I also wanted to give a big thanks to everyone who entered.
Thank you for commenting on my Maeve Alpin blog on Egyptian Steampunk. I have good news for you, you are the winner, you won the blogging contest. Congratulations. The pdf eBook of As Timeless As Stone is attached. If you have any trouble opening it, please let me know.
There was a strong Egyptian influence in the 19th century with the translation of the Rosetta stone, all the English and European Egyptologist and their rich discoveries, the Egyptian obelisk erected alongside the Thames, and the quaint mummy unwrapping parties. Egypt even influenced Victorian clothing, furniture and furnishings. In turn, there no question aspects of the Steampunk culture have been influenced by ancient Egypt. In the entertainment field Steampunk belly dancing is on the rise. Since the top Steampunk Band, Abney Park incorporated belly dancing into its live shows, many of these dancers have been inspired to go steampunk adding googles, corsets and pantaloons to their costumes.
In the area of interior design, Nethercraft offers an incredible collection of fabulous Egyptian walls http://www.nethercraft.com/prod_tomb.html. The Egyptian- Steampunk movement has even invaded fashion with Costume Designer, Iris Bainum-Houle’s collection, clearly influenced by both the garments of ancient Egypt and Victorian England. http://tinyurl.com/26dvuxo
For glasses, tea spoons, and t-shirts sporting Egyptian Steampunk, the Anubis-Absinthe products at http://www.sighco.com/Anubis-Absinthe-glass-and-spoon-set-p-292.html fit the bill.
Egyptian Steampunk has even found its way into weddings as in this online example of a couple who included Victoriana and hand painted scarab favors into their special day. View this special wedding at http://geraniumlake.com/2011/04/egyptian-steampunk-themed-wedding/ and at http://fritzphoto.com/blog/2011/03/steampunk-wedding-photography-lana-and-brian.htmlOne thing that stands out in Steampunk fiction is fresh, settings and alternate history so the Egyptian influence fits in so well. Some examples I recommend are The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers, a non-stop, breathtaking, time spanning, haunting adventure by one of the masters of Steampunk and The Osiris Ritual by George Mann a rich, riveting mystery which includes a Victorian mummy unwrapping party. As Timeless as Stone is another example of Egyptian Steampunk in fiction as its trailer illustrates at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQEOp9l9ZFA. For children the Theodosia series of books have a wonderful Egyptian Steampunk flavor by R L. LaFevers. Theodosia Throckmorton lives in the early part of the 20th century in London, her father is the head curator at the museum of Legends and Antquites and her mother is an egyptologist. Theo as her family and friends call her has an unusal gift for for detecting and riding relics of ancient spells, evil curses, and black magic. For more on this fantastic series visit. http://www.theodosiathrockmorton.com.
I am working on a Steampunk Costume with Egyptian influence and many steampunk fans have gone the Egyptologist route, for example The Steampunk Emporium has a complete outfit available for an Egyptian Expeditionist at http://www.steamporium.com/store/steam_ladies_05.php
Whether you are game for belly dancing in a corset or rather you just want to quietly read a good Egyptian Steampunk book the mix of Egyptology and Steampunk go together quite well.
I'm having a blog contest - comment and include your email so I can reach you - the winner drawn from those who comment wins a pdf ebook download of As Timeless As Stone - here's a blurb on it to give you an idea of the book if you're not familiar.
Though society stands in their way, can love transcend time with the aid of robotics and ritual?
In peril for her life, the Priestess Seshat turns herself to stone in ancient Egypt. Centuries later, Ricard, a dashing 19th century Frenchman, repairs a broken statue and reads its incantation unprepared for the gorgeous flesh and blood woman who steps forth.
Seshat is drawn to the brass robots Ricard creates and the glamor of the Victorian age, and most of all to Ricard himself. But the society of his day cannot accept a woman like her. How far will Ricard go to secure her happiness? Is their love strong enough to
transcend time itself?
