GSN TV's Steampunk Show

Have you seen this Game Show. It's cool. It's Steampunk. Makers on two teams compete against each
to see who builds the best Steampunk room. Last week, the theme was an Asian Steampunk bedroom.
Three episodes have aired so far and if you haven't seen them and have Comcast's on demand you can catch up. I do have Comcast...not that I like Comcast...but that's a whole other story. I have good reasons to not like Comcast.

But I do like Steampunk. And I like the Game show. I was sad at the guy, James, who was voted out on the last episode, I thought he was really good. But that's how it goes. He was the team captain and his team lost. There was drama between to lady costumers on his team. It was kind of funny actually.  The contestants are talented and I honestly enjoy the show.

It comes on GSTN on Wednesdays. Check it out at http://steampunkd.gsntv.com/#/

Fire Fly

World Con San Antonio

Firelfy lasted one short season, yet no power in the verse can stop us from enthusiastically hoping for more. One thing that has been brought up is the question, iti it becsasue it was bcut thort that endears us to it, is it so good  because ii never had a chance to get bad.That really is something to think about if it had run a few seasons would it have the same popularity to fans, to brown coats, that it does.

Some other reasons we find the TV show Firefly so special:
It was understated
It stretched out imagination
You can relate to the characters
We all wanted to be someone on that ship
Technology mixed with an old west feel – gives it a tie in to Steampunk

Of the 14 episodes many fans agree some of their favorites are:
“Out of Gas”
“War stories”
And “Jane’s town”

Space City Comic Con 2015

As far as life after Firefly or ways to get your Firefly fix:
Dark Horse put out comic adaptations: Serenity Volume 2: Better Days and Other Stories, 2nd Edition which includes Down Time. It’s a “slice-of-life, day-on-the-ship story depicting the crew of Serenity stranded on an icy planet.  Also from Dark Horse are Serenity: Those Left Behind and Serenity: The Shepherd’s Tale, which covers Shepherd and his past.
 

Steven Burst, who is best known for his Vlad Taltos novels, wrote – My Own Kind Of Freedom. This fan fiction novel is free to download in a format of your choice at his website.
 

Also I wanted to add that back in 2011 at Comicaplooza, I saw a screening of the film Brown Coats Redemption. That labor of love with all proceeds going to charity was written and directed by Michael C. Doughtery. From a gal’s perspective Firefly is always fitting of the coolest of cool label for many reasons one of the highest on my list is due to the strong female characters, who in all their roles even that of a companion showed the best of the female gender and a woman’s ability to do anything a man could do and often do it better. Well Brown Coat Redemption not only offered strong female characters, both the captain and the pilot were women and they filled those roles well, but also the twist to the plot was feminine based, Also

Houston Con 2014

all proceeds went to five great charities Equality Now, Kids Need to Read, Dyslexia Foundation, The All Wooten Jr. Heritage Center, and The Marine Corps – Law Enforcement Foundation.
 

The movie Serenity came out in 2005, but was not greatly loved by most fans, mainly due to what happened to Wash in it.
The Firefly episodes are available on Net Flix and you might also catch them on the Science Channel.
 

I leave you with, “Burn the land and boil the sea, you can’t take the sky from me.”

New Rlease: Code of Misconduct

CODE OF MISCONDUCT

2nd in the MIND DATE series

 

Humans meets Her meets a 1960's Screwball Romance
For a headless, bodiless, everything but mindless, woman, Betty gets around. She’s just an artificial intelligence system looking for a little fun by dating a hundred hot-blooded men online. The most eligible bachelor is Chet, a real live cowboy. He doesn’t know Betty is an artificial intelligence system. However, Chet has a secret of his own. Will his deep, dark secret save their relationship or doom it?

 

Steampunk at the Carriage House Cafe

Steampunk is all about friends and fun. Every time a local steampunk community gets together everyone has a blast. Houston area steampunk enthusiasts met for good times and good food at a western themed restaurant in Houston, TX.  The Carriage House Cafe has the perfect the ambiance for a Steamapunk supper and meet up.

Western memorable and antiques are everywhere, crammed in to each nook and cranny.

Atlantis, Lemuria, and the Call of Cthulhu

Lovecraft's sketch of Cthulhu

Maeve Alpin and Cthulu - Comicpalooa 2015

In "The Call of Cthulhu" by H. P. Lovecraft he mentions the Victorian and Edwardian manuscripts by W. Scott-Elliot: "Atlantis and The Lost Lemuria. The other manuscript papers were all brief notes, some of them accounts of the queer dreams of different persons, some of them citations from

 theosophical books and magazines (notably W. Scott-Elliot’s Atlantis and the Lost Lemuria).”

Lovecraft actually read these before writing "The Call of Cthulhu." They inspired this

classic horror story. Both papers are available to read online from the Guternburg project.

W. Scott-Elliott claimed these works were dictated to him by the spirits of people who had lived on Atlantis and Lemuria. Atlantis begins with a lot of historical data that in this modern era we know is incorrect. It also mentions that there were several migrations out of Atlantis to other continents. These Atlantis emigrants brought knowledge with them. The Egyptians are specifically mentioned:

 "It is probable that the earliest form of alphabet was hieroglyphic, "the writing of the Gods," as the Egyptians called it, and that it developed later in Atlantis into the phonetic. It would be natural to assume that the Egyptians were an early colony from Atlantis (as they actually were) and that they carried away with them the primitive type of writing which has thus left its traces on both hemispheres.”

Also Scott-Elliot’s list of ancient sources that acknowledge the tale of Atlantis is interesting:

Aelian in his Varia Historia states that Theopompus (400 b.c.) recorded an interview between the King of Phrygia and Silenus, in which the latter referred to the existence of a great continent beyond the Atlantic, larger than Asia, Europe and Libya together.[

Proclus quotes an extract from an ancient writer who refers to the islands in the sea beyond the Pillars of Hercules (Straits of Gibraltar), and says that the inhabitants of one of these islands had a tradition from their ancestors of an extremely large island called Atlantis, which for a long time ruled over all the islands of the Atlantic Ocean.

Marcellus speaks of seven islands in the Atlantic, and states that their inhabitants preserve the memory of a much greater island, Atlantis, "which had for a long time exercised dominion over the smaller ones."

Diodorus Siculus relates that the Phoenicians discovered "a large island in the Atlantic Ocean beyond the Pillars of Hercules several days' sail from the coast of Africa."

But the greatest authority on this subject is Plato. He refers to the island continent, while the Critias or Atlanticus is nothing less than a detailed account of the history, arts, manners and customs of the people. He refers to "a mighty warlike power, rushing from the Atlantic sea and spreading itself with hostile fury over all Europe and Asia. For at that time the Atlantic sea was navigable and had an island before that mouth which is called by you the Pillars of Hercules. But this island was greater than both Libya and all Asia together, and afforded an easy passage to other neighboring islands, as it was likewise easy to pass from those islands to all the continents which border on this Atlantic sea."

The Lost Lemuria manuscript is similar to the Atlantis one. Lemuria is a lost continent just like Atlantis. Lemuria was believed to have been in the Pacific ocean and Atlantis in the Atlantic ocean. Lemuria is a more modern theory and deals with not just our history but our evolution. In his manuscript, Lemuria, W. Scott-Elliott  mentions what we would call ancient aliens. He theorizes that beings from Venus were of a far higher level than ordinary mankind has yet attained. “They were "divine" while we are only "human." These divine Beings came to give a helping hand.

"The positions occupied by the divine beings from the Venus chain were naturally those of rulers, instructors in religion, and teachers of the arts, and it is in this latter capacity that a reference to the arts taught by them comes to our aid in the consideration of the history of this early race.”

Lovecraft eludes to these old ones, aliens who lived on earth before humans.

"They worshipped, so they said, the Great Old Ones who lived ages before there were any men, and who came to the young world out of the sky. Those Old Ones were gone now, inside the earth and under the sea; but their dead bodies had told their secrets in dreams to the first men, who formed a cult which had never died.”

In fact in the story, The Call of Cthulhu, Cthulhu is the King of these people who came from the stars. He has a face of tentacles, a scale dragon body, and small black wings.  

The Call of Cthulhu is free to read online. 

Here is my brief review of The Call of Cthulhu:

“In his house at R’lyeh dead Cthulhu waits dreaming.”

As a nephew looks thorough his grand uncle's things upon his death, a story begins to unfold. In a box, he discovers an odd clay bas-relief, cut out articles, and a manuscript titled CTHULHU CULT.This is how this classic tale of horror begins. The nephew follows the trail of his uncle's notes and interviews a few other people who have had some contact with Cthulhu, a skid faced monster, with the scaly body of a dragon, that lived before humans inhabited the earth.

This is one of those classic tales everyone should read. Everyone should know who Cthulhu, he's part of pop culture, his image is everywhere. I finally got around to reading this and loved it. Lovecraft is a powerful writer. I highly recommend The Call of Cthulhu. It's a must read.

~     ~     ~

Maeve Alpin, who also writes as Cornelia Amiri, is the author of 26 books. She creates stories with kilts, corsets, fantasy and happy endings. She lives in Houston Texas with her son, granddaughter, and her cat, Severus.

Lit-Con at Write Space

I went to a Lit-Con here in Houston at Write Space last weekend. What a great idea to mix cosplay with readings from local steampunk, sci-fi, and fantasy authors and a book signing. 

Entertaining and enlightening readings were presented by local authors. DL Young who writes edgy, dystopian sci-fiction read from his newest release, Juarez Square and Other Stories. Cassandra Rose Clarke, an author of YA and Adult fantasy and science fiction read from her adult novel, The Mad Scientist’s Daughter. Rachael Acks, a Steampunk, sci-fi, and fantasy writer read a humorous horror short story she just sold. Dorothy Tinker writes high fantasy and she read from the latest in her Peace of Evon series, Lost King, which was released this week.

The award winning cosplayer Dugfinn of Dugfinn Cosplay gave a wonderful presentation on cosplay. She went over the four parts of cosplay: the wig, the costume, the shoes, and the prop.

Bedrock City Comics here in Houston donated the prizes which were prop swords and action figurines for the awesome cosplay contest they had at the Lit-Con. The categories were for best over roll play, best  Literary Costume,  Best Fantasy Costume
Best Steampunk Costume, and Best TV/Movie Costume.

This Lit-Con was great fun and I hope other people and organizations will do Lit -Cons. Write Space itself is such a neat place for writers, just like an art gallery but for authors. I want to say an auth-gallery.

While there, I gained great information and inspiration form one of the cosplayer/readers. She asked  about my costume and in the explanation my Egyptian steampunk books came up. So due to the emphasis the Egyptians put on the sun in their religion and their buildings she asked if I knew about Sunpunk. I didn’t and needless to say I was so intrigued. It’s a perfect tie in  to Egyptian Steampunk books or as I say SteamGyptianPunk. Have you ever thought of how much cogs look like the sun? 

The Brass Octopus

The ugly duckling is a favorite fairy tale of mine. I’ve seen the ugly duckling plot in a lot of books and films. I use it in The Brass Octopus.

The so called duckling was always beautiful,l she was just with the wrong family. If she’d been with a family of swans no one would have ever used the word ugly. That’s what happened to my heroine Piety. Her verbally and emotionally abusive mother called her ugly. As she grew up, Piety protected herself by trying not to bring attention to herself – dressing drably and throwing herself in to her work. She’s the head librarian at London’s library. The story is set in the Victorian era. So a  prim and proper Victorian librarian transforms to an enticing beauty. What makes my version different?
I’m going to get to that. First, let me tell you about the hero. Blake Blackmore is a bad boy, a rich rogue who spends his nights gambling and womanizing. I’m sure you’ve already guessed, once he meets Piety he’s willing to give all that up for her.
Now, back to the earlier question. What makes The Brass Octopus different is – in The Bras Octopus, Piety lives in an alternate dimension in which inventions depicted in Jane Loudon’s book the Mummy have been created. So even though it’s Victorian London, there is some advanced technology for the era, woman wear pants, and tinkering or inventing gadgets is a favorite pastime for proper Victorian ladies along with decoupage, scrapbooking, and hand painting china. Piety’s sister, Polly, has  created a beauty machine called The Brass Octopus.
Blurb: Spinster Librarian Piety Plunkett is happy alone with her books, until her sister Polly transforms her with a bras octopus beautifying machine. With her new look, the librarian catches the lusty attentions of London’s most notorious rogue. Blake Blackmore enjoys the favors of beautiful women from the brothels of London to high society’s most fashionable debutantes but only the spinster librarian consumes his mind night and day. Piety insists she will not wed but devote her life to her position as head librarian, but Blake will stop at nothing to win her. He takes matters into his own hands and tutors her in carnal pleasure in three passion filled lessons. Now that she is sharing her body, instead of just her books, Piety is shocked yet pleased at how naughty she can be under Blake’s personal tutelage. But if anyone finds out about what goes on in the library after closing time, her reputation would be ruined. Is that Blake’ ultimate plan?
Excerpt:
“That is why we cannot waste a moment more.” Polly dropped her arm from Piety’s shoulders and grabbed her sister’s hand, pulling her into the dressing room. “Wait until you see my latest invention.” She pointed to a large brass octopus standing in the corner.
Held on a brass stand, its bottom was fashioned in the shape of an x, with a thin straight pole to the back of the head jointed to another rod so it could be adjusted. Two molded eyes on the side of its head stared at her. Eight long arms reached out from the tiny body beneath its gleaming head, and directly underneath stood a brass stool.
“This will make you even more beautiful than you are.” Polly walked over to the brass sea creature and reaching up, she patted its large head.
“Is it the pregnancy? Is that what has caused you to lose your mind?”
“This machine is fabulous.” Polly gestured to her to sit on the stool. “Try it.”
Piety scratched her head. “It’s good the Queen encourages all housewives to develop their creativity by crafting gadgets like the ones in Loudon’s book, to make life easier for them and their families, but I fear you’ve taken it too far.”
Each of the eight burnished arms held something in the suction cups attached on the end, where hands would be on a human. An open tin of rouge in one arm, the second, grasped a cosmetic brush and powder puff, in the third lay a tin of powder, an unwrapped silk paper container of red lipstick in the fourth, the fifth arm clutched a small bottle of hair oil, the sixth held a hairbrush, while the seventh grasped a fancy glass container of French perfume and the eighth arm lay empty.
Polly took Piety’s spectacles off.
“I need those.”
“For reading. You don’t need them right now or at the ball. You’ll be dancing, not reading books.”
She sat on the stool with the octopus behind her. “What is this?” Her upper back rested against its small, brass body.
“You will see. Just sit still so the machine can work its magic.” Polly pressed the ruby button on top of the octopus’s head.
The clanking, churning sound caused an on-edge sensation in Piety. As the hand holding the oil moved toward her, she grew shaky. She braced her toes on the floor, ready to lunge off the stool and make a run for it. The hand holding the oil reached her head, tilted slightly, then straightened after pouring some of its contents on her hair. Her scalp tingled from the warm liquid.
“It tickles, but feels quite nice. What does it do?”
The hand clutching the brush in its suction cup moved toward her. Piety grimaced, fearing it might hit her. She let out a pent up breath, relaxing her neck and shoulder muscles as the brass octopus brushed her hair, spread the oil to her roots and through the strands, and then swept her hair into a pile on top of her head.
“It helps it curl.” Polly grinned as she shoved a wayward blonde strand of her hair out of her face.
The octopus’s hollow head, which ran along the brass pole in back, rose, separating from its body, then swung forward, hovering over Piety. It lowered, inch by inch, until it dropped over her head, covering her hair and forehead.
“This is daft. It has swallowed me.” She cringed as tiny things, she didn’t know what, gripped sections of her hair and twirled it. “What is happening?”
“It curls hair better than any lady’s maid.”
“I do not want my hair curled by a brass octopus.“
“It’s guaranteed to bring out the beauty in everyone. Isn’t it marvelous?”
Before Piety could answer, the arm clutching the powder puff dipped it in the large round tin held in another arm. She had to shut her mouth as the octopus powdered her face.
From inside the octopus’s head, it squirted liquid on her scalp. “It sprayed me.”
“I have always liked your hair, but you say it’s drab. Now it will be a different color. That should make you happy.”
The octopus seemed to be baking her scalp. “Why is it hot?”
“It’s battery-powered rather than clockwork. I needed it to heat to curl hair fast and tight.”
“A battery. Like the galvanic one in The Mummy that resurrected Pharaoh Cheops?”
“Smaller and not as strong. It’s just a lead-acid battery. Remember when Father took us to the seashore for holiday and we flew in the balloon-coach? It’s the same type of battery that powered the lights on in the carriage at night.” Polly flashed a toothy grin at her sister. “It doesn’t bring anything alive except your hair.”
“How fabulous,” she said with full sarcasm. “My head itches.” She wished this would all be over soon. “What color will it be?”
“We won’t know until it’s finished, but whatever it is will be the best color for you.”
“Of course, everyone knows if you need beauty advice, just ask a brass octopus. Polly, my only sister or not, I shall kill you when I escape the clutches of this confounded contraption.”
Contest: Win a trade size copy of my Steampunk Novel, To Love A London Ghost. Sexton Dukenfield, premiere phantom hunter, stumbles into Ceridwen, a phantom warrior woman of an ancient Celtic tribe. Not only does he find her intriguing as a piece of the puzzle of the missing spirits, but he’s also haunted by her sultry sensuality. On a mission through the bustling narrow streets of London, to a dreary match factory, and even to the Otherworld and back, to stop a genius scientist and his phantasm debilitater machine, the ghost and the ghost hunter also seek the secret to freeing the boundaries of life and death.