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Steampunk For Simpletons: A Fun Primer For Folks Who Aren't Sure What Steampunk Is All About
New folks discover steampunk every day, and often their first question is, "What is steampunk?", and their second question is, "What do steampunks do?".
Steampunk For Simpletons starts with those questions and expands outward to cover a plethora of topics. We give a primer followed by a guided tour through the world of steampunk, from the basics such as where to go and what to do, to the aesthetic of the arts within steampunk.
Travis I. Sivart and Wendy L. Callahan are both published steampunk authors, as well as having a weekly radio show on the subject. Though they do not claim to be the ultimate or complete authority in this beloved genre, they wrote this book hoping to help new folks find their way into the hobby, or help others expand their knowledge of the aesthetic. They also drew upon the knowledge, expertise, and wisdom of many others (like their cats) from the steampunk community, making their book an inclusive and cooperative work.
Steampunk For Simpletons starts with those questions and expands outward to cover a plethora of topics. We give a primer followed by a guided tour through the world of steampunk, from the basics such as where to go and what to do, to the aesthetic of the arts within steampunk.
Travis I. Sivart and Wendy L. Callahan are both published steampunk authors, as well as having a weekly radio show on the subject. Though they do not claim to be the ultimate or complete authority in this beloved genre, they wrote this book hoping to help new folks find their way into the hobby, or help others expand their knowledge of the aesthetic. They also drew upon the knowledge, expertise, and wisdom of many others (like their cats) from the steampunk community, making their book an inclusive and cooperative work.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2014
18 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Travis I. Sivart
58 books34 followersBest Seller, Award-Winning SciFi/Fantasy Author & Podcaster, Internationally recognized voice actor, & Crazy Cat Guy.
Travis I. Sivart is a prolific author of Fantasy, Science Fiction, Social DIY, and more. He's created The Traverse Reality, a shared universe that connects his cyberpunk, fantasy, and steampunk worlds, and writes characters who feel real.
You can find Travis live-streaming the writing and editing of his latest project from his home in Central Virginia, surrounded by too many cats.
Travis I. Sivart is a prolific author of Fantasy, Science Fiction, Social DIY, and more. He's created The Traverse Reality, a shared universe that connects his cyberpunk, fantasy, and steampunk worlds, and writes characters who feel real.
You can find Travis live-streaming the writing and editing of his latest project from his home in Central Virginia, surrounded by too many cats.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 23, 2015
It’s taken me a while, but I finally sat down and read this Kickstarter funded tome by Travis I. Sivart and Wendy L. Callahan. Steampunk for Simpletons is a very thorough and delightful book for those looking to dive into steampunk or, at least learn more about the subject. The authors consider this a resource book and rightly so. It pretty much covers every aspect of steampunk without making your head explode. (Well, almost. They cover a lot in this book.)
The book discusses everything from the basic definitions of steampunk to clothing, food, and entertainment. It even includes Victorian recipes, how to set a table and a do-it-yourself section if you are interested in creating your own parasol, googles and a bustle among many other things. (Who knew making a bustle could be that easy?) They even show you how to make your own spats.
What made this book special was its inclusion of contributors who specialize in various topics. The “Steampunk and Airship” section was contributed by Sky Marshall Gideon Alexander Thaddeus Cornelius Prime while the gaming article was written by Charlie Stayton. I especially like the fact that toward the end of the book they spent time discussing multiculturalism in steampunk and steampunk outside of the United States and the U.K. Contributors from Argentina and Brazil provided insight into the steampunk movement in their countries that otherwise I would have never have known about. Likewise, with the article about Russian steampunk by Anastastia and Mikihail Dragunov.
For those with more of an academic interest in steampunk, this book is a good jumping off point in regards to some of its references, but you would need to do additional research. However, if you are interested in learning more about steampunk as a genre, aesthetic or a way to explore your own creativity, this is your book.
Originally published at Fanboy Comics.
The book discusses everything from the basic definitions of steampunk to clothing, food, and entertainment. It even includes Victorian recipes, how to set a table and a do-it-yourself section if you are interested in creating your own parasol, googles and a bustle among many other things. (Who knew making a bustle could be that easy?) They even show you how to make your own spats.
What made this book special was its inclusion of contributors who specialize in various topics. The “Steampunk and Airship” section was contributed by Sky Marshall Gideon Alexander Thaddeus Cornelius Prime while the gaming article was written by Charlie Stayton. I especially like the fact that toward the end of the book they spent time discussing multiculturalism in steampunk and steampunk outside of the United States and the U.K. Contributors from Argentina and Brazil provided insight into the steampunk movement in their countries that otherwise I would have never have known about. Likewise, with the article about Russian steampunk by Anastastia and Mikihail Dragunov.
For those with more of an academic interest in steampunk, this book is a good jumping off point in regards to some of its references, but you would need to do additional research. However, if you are interested in learning more about steampunk as a genre, aesthetic or a way to explore your own creativity, this is your book.
Originally published at Fanboy Comics.
January 28, 2019
A good overview
A good overview of the steampunk community for complete beginners. I particularly enjoyed finding out about steampunk music, and I can see myself making one or two of the craft projects.
A good overview of the steampunk community for complete beginners. I particularly enjoyed finding out about steampunk music, and I can see myself making one or two of the craft projects.
March 1, 2015
Of the two main costumes I wear when performing my shows at events, one has a nod to Steampunk. The first thing people notice is the goggles - and at almost every the following conversation will occur with a couple of people from the audience:
Audience 1: Cool Steampunk goggles!
Me: Thanks!
Audience 2: What's 'Steampunk'?
Me: Erm... we... it's sort of... er... but not quite, no, more than just... er...
When I heard the hosts of Sounds of Steam - the radio show that first sparked my interest in the Steampunk genre were writing a book introducing what the genre is all about I was excited. When I read it I was overjoyed - finally I had all the answers to every question from people who know nothing about it. My answer now? Well there's this book which will explain it to you...
What I love most is that the book is expansive, it describes what steampunk is all about, without ever seeming restrictive or attempting to suggest that you can't do things your own way!
Audience 1: Cool Steampunk goggles!
Me: Thanks!
Audience 2: What's 'Steampunk'?
Me: Erm... we... it's sort of... er... but not quite, no, more than just... er...
When I heard the hosts of Sounds of Steam - the radio show that first sparked my interest in the Steampunk genre were writing a book introducing what the genre is all about I was excited. When I read it I was overjoyed - finally I had all the answers to every question from people who know nothing about it. My answer now? Well there's this book which will explain it to you...
What I love most is that the book is expansive, it describes what steampunk is all about, without ever seeming restrictive or attempting to suggest that you can't do things your own way!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews