The Steampunk User's Manual: An Illustrated Practical and Whimsical Guide to Creating Retro-futurist Dreams

by Jeff Vandermeer, Desirina Boskovich

Steampunk, the retro-futuristic cultural movement, has become a substantial and permanent genre in the worlds of fantasy and science fiction. A large part of its appeal is that, at its core, Steampunk is about doing it building on the past while also innovating and creating something original. VanderMeer’s latest book offers practical and inspirational guidance for readers to find their individual path into this realm. Including sections on art, fashion, architecture, crafts, music, performance, and storytelling, The Steampunk User’s Manual provides a conceptual how-to guide that motivates and awes both the armchair enthusiast and the committed creator. Examples range from the utterly doable to the completely over-the-top, encouraging participation and imagination at all levels.

Genres: Steampunk, Nonfiction, Reference, Art, Writing, Crafts, Alternate History

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2014

About the author

NYT bestselling writer Jeff VanderMeer has been called “the weird Thoreau” by the New Yorker for his engagement with ecological issues. His most recent novel, the national bestseller Borne, received wide-spread critical acclaim and his prior novels include the Southern Reach trilogy (Annihilation, Authority, and Acceptance). Annihilation won the Nebula and Shirley Jackson Awards, has been translated into 35 languages, and was made into a film from Paramount Pictures directed by Alex Garland. His nonfiction has appeared in New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Atlantic, Slate, Salon, and the Washington Post. He has coedited several iconic anthologies with his wife, the Hugo Award winning editor. Other titles include Wonderbook, the world’s first fully illustrated creative writing guide. VanderMeer served as the 2016-2017 Trias Writer in Residence at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. He has spoken at the Guggenheim, the Library of Congress, and the Arthur C. Clarke Center for the Human Imagination.

VanderMeer was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, but spent much of his childhood in the Fiji Islands, where his parents worked for the Peace Corps. This experience, and the resulting trip back to the United States through Asia, Africa, and Europe, deeply influenced him.

Jeff is married to Ann VanderMeer, who is currently an acquiring editor at Tor.com and has won the Hugo Award and World Fantasy Award for her editing of magazines and anthologies. They live in Tallahassee, Florida, with two cats and thousands of books.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway which didn't influence my review.

The Steampunk User's Manual is a well made, high quality book that is beautiful to look at, from cover to cover, with plenty of glossy photographs in between, highlighting the various components of the steampunk culture. It is also very informative, taking the reader on a grand tour of the imaginative world from which it came.

Before reading this book, I only knew of steampunk as a sub genre within fantasy that inspired artwork in two and three dimensions. I knew nothing about steampunk as a mindset and a way of life for those immersed in it.

This book features all the basic areas in which a person can express an interest in this retro futuristic universe. The book is divided into sections showcasing art and architecture, music and performance, fashion, and storytelling. Leaders and innovators in these fields provide instruction and encouragement to the reader to pursue his dreams and create something original within steampunk, bypassing the cliches that come to mind from their overuse.

Whether the reader is an expert on steampunk or a novice, he can gain insights and inspiration from this book with the energy coming off all the creative people interviewed, encouraging others to join in.

I also liked the history lesson included in the book of steampunk's origins and the analysis of its appeal to so many people. I don't know if I'd be up for creating any of the projects featured in this book, but the excitement surrounding them was infectious, making me want to create something.

I recommend this book for creative people of all kinds who are interested in being original and stretching their limits in whatever genre or whatever form that takes. A good companion to this book is The Steampunk Bible by Jeff VanderMeer.

[Beth Cato · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this at the book's launch party at World Fantasy in Washington D.C.

As a steampunk author, I often have to explain what steampunk is to family or other folks. I wish this book was a bit more portable, because it would sure be nice to flip it open to any page and say, 'See this? Steampunk!' This is really a coffee table-sized volume, full color and packed with photographs and artwork. It's truly a feast for the eyes and the text is likewise illuminating.

The title might mislead some to think this is a DIY book for makers. It does include step-by-step instructions on several fascinating projects, but the subject matter is much more broad. It elaborates on steampunk as a phenomenon within literature, clothing, music, and stage, and where these artists find their inspirations. The pictures alone are great for a newcomer to steampunk, even though the overall content might overwhelm them. I really see this as being for someone who is familiar with steampunk and wants to know more and/or to have a downright gorgeous book to keep on display.

[Etta Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting it to be but still an interesting read. I picked it up hoping for a history of the steampunk genre and a primer on the main tropes, cliches, and foundational works of the movement, or engineering projects. I partially got that, but it was less of a tutorial or "users manual" and more of a collection of interviews with artists, musicians, authors, performers, and costumers talking about their craft and their relationship to the concept of "steampunk." You can learn a lot from reading about their process and if a certain piece of work catches your eye, you can check out their work to learn more. It's a convenient collection, just be prepared for a multimedia anthology, not a textbook.

[Florin Pitea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb presentation. Interesting content. Recommended.

[Nicole Westen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a fun and fascinating read. There was a lot of discussion about the origins of sci-fi steampunk, but what bothered me was that aside from modern works (as in published in the last 20-30 years), almost all the authors discussed were male. Mary Shelly's Frankenstein got a passing mention, but if we're going back to the start of the sci-fi genre in general (or scientific romance as it was called), then shouldn't The Blazing World at least get a mention also? And what about Metropolis (I'm referring to the novel, not the anime movie)? Which, FYI, was actually written by Fritz Lang's wife, Thea von Harbou.
Though, I suppose I shouldn't be too upset with the authors. When we first started getting comprehensive sci-fi anthologies, editors like Campbell and Conklin made a conscious decision to not include a single female sci-fi author in any of their anthologies because 'women can't write'. Not women can't right sci-fi, women can't write period. Fact is, during the pulp era there were quite a few female writers, and almost a solid half of the readership was female. So basically the same thing that happened to comic books happened to sci-fi. What was a more or less gender equal genre has women purposefully excluded by later (male) creators and editors, and when women try to rejoin these spaces, there is this feeling put forth that women are trying to push themselves into spaces that they have no place being in. The reality is that, until recently, women have always occupied those spaces.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book to flip through, but again, I picked it up in the hopes that I would see something creative and simple that would inspire a teen program. It was a great book all about Steampunk and the history, how it is expressed in art, design, costume, architecture, etc. Plenty of great color pictures of professionally created pieces, but not a whole lot of actual DIY directions for the average Joe, like me. Hence, the 2 stars.

Some of the projects that I thought were awesome was a steam powered orrery, because of course most people have the tools to laser out the various gears from a plank of pressed board. But it did look quite impressive. I really liked the collaged steampunk stand up greeting card which is eerily similar to an adult program I am already planning this summer. It consists of cutting out Victorian-like images and creating a 3 dimensional collage (like a photo of a woman, then gluing buttons and tulle to her to make a skirt, etc). But the one I really liked and was also a bit terrified of, was the giant bean bag seating made to look like 20 foot long squid tentacles. I'm charmed, but also frightened... But that's exactly the combination of emotions bean bag seating should arouse, right?

[Xerxes Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a wonderful book but it was above my lexile so I only understood some of it. I love the topic of the book. It helped me understand the culture and what steampunk actually is. It mentions a lot of Steampunk artist and Authors in this book which is a good way to get more books to read. I also like how the book was set up. It was set up so if you wanted to only read about steampunk music or steampunk fashion you could do that.

The people who would enjoy this book the most would be people who already know a little about steampunk but not a lot. It isn't so much for people who know absolutely nothing about steampunk because it sort of jumps right into things. This book has wonderful pictures and art in it and the cover is very eye catching. So its a very beautiful book about steampunk.

Overall I really liked this book but there were some bumps in it where it was hard to read or it got boring. So thats why I gave this book "The Steampunk Users Manual" three stars.

[Sarah Capps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork and illustrations are found in this book. The Steampunk User's Manual offers a sound overview of many of the different disciplines within steampunk, and is great for those new to the genre as well as the old hand. I thoroughly enjoyed paging through this, reading the hints and tips, and contemplating whether or not I could pull off the featured DIYs.

I received this book as part of a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.

[Bonnie]

I am going to leave this unrated because this was not the book I thought it was and it turned out it was not the book for me.

I was (and am) very interested in steampunk novels - I love both retrofuturism (the future as imagined by the past, like Fallout) and alternative history, and steampunk is kind of both. Unfortunately, steampunk is not a super popular subgenre and there are not very many steampunk books that I have actually enjoyed.

Jeff VanderMeer is not known for steampunk - he's known for his weird horror like Annihilation. But he must be a huge steampunk fan because he writes with real affection for steampunk. I thought it would be focused on the steampunk genre in fiction and discuss different steampunk worlds and tropes. Kind of a The Tough Guide to Fantasyland for steampunk.

It's not. It's a very straightforward exploration of steampunk as a modern subculture - fashion, art, machines, and yes, fiction. It is aimed at hobbyists, not necessarily readers. It is mostly interviews and articles.

This very much is the right book for some people, but it wasn't what I was craving. While I admire the crafters and creators in the steampunk subculture, I didn't connect with the subject of the book.

[Jim Razinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a steampunk kick, looking for inspirations for my collection of parts and bits, and I forgot I had this. Broad coverage… art, construction, music, writing, acting … they’ve got it all. Plus lots of tips from the various artists of each craft they interview.

I liked: “‘The best way to avoid what I call the ‘cog on a stick’ effect,’ says Thomas Willeford, founder of Brute Force Studios and author of the book The Steampunk Adventurer’s Guide, ‘is for things to at least look like they function. You are allowed to do anything you like, but put in the effort.’”

But I want it to actually function! (Okay, not in the fantastical sense, but surely in the physical sense.)

And this:
“Author Kit Cox comments, ‘I do a lot of research of historical facts and try and weave as many in around the plot. I like the fact that a lot of history is stranger than any fiction I could write.’
Diana Pho agrees. KI would go to the library and spend whole days not writing, but reading sources and jotting notes about where certain things would be useful. I personally love the research part as much as I do the writing!’
For some, the research can begin months or years before they start writing—it can take that long for inspiration and atmosphere to percolate into concrete ideas”

[Zéro Janvier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ce guide pratique s’adresse principalement à celles et ceux qui souhaitent pousser leur passion pour le steampunk jusqu’à la pratique artistique ou artisanale. Le livre compile des inspirations, des conseils conceptuels, des idées, et des guides pratiques dans des domaines comme l’art, l’artisanat, la mode, l’écriture, ou la musique.

J’y ai trouvé moins d’intérêt que dans The Steampunk Bible que j’avais lu juste avant, mais c’est surtout parce que la plupart des chapitres du livre sont consacrés à des disciplines artistiques qui m’intéressent peu ou me semblent inaccessibles. Le chapitre sur l’écriture, par contre, a répondu à mes attentes.

J’aurais du mal à donner un avis éclairé sur ce livre : comme guide pratique, il est probablement réussi, mais il faudrait demander l’avis de celles et ceux qui s’intéressent à chacune des disciplines artistiques qui y sont présentées.

[Didem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always had a thing for slightly dark, neo-Victorian things, whimsical machines, retro-futurism, post-gothic art, black lace, and corsets. Turns out this is an artistic movement called steampunk, as I recently learned. Apparently, a lot of the stories I relished belong in the steampunk genre.

With this realization, I wanted to learn more about steampunk and read this book.

It was mainly about DIY steampunk art and design and I have absolutely no interest in creating similar things, but I still read it with interest. The book also had a chapter about steampunk novels and storytelling, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

The book opened me a new different world that I didn't know had a name and I learned a lot about it.

[Valorie Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This look at the world of steampunk is a great start for the uninitiated. This manual celebrates the aesthetic of steampunk and dives beneath it, examining the way the leaders of this subculture see it moving. Included inside are several how-tos and craft projects, including a beautiful rococopunk jacket and a moving steam-powered orrery. If you've ever been curious about this work, start with this collection of essays and thoughts by the leaders within steampunk.

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is really nice to catch a glimpse into the world of steampunk. What I am missing a little is the actual part of a manual.
Also I tried to look up some of the creators and their websites, sadly not everything in there seems to be up to date.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty pictures.

[Melissa Wu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought the hardcover one. It's beautiful.

[Dan Comenduley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could have gone deeper into the creative minds featured in the book

[Matthew Kresal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like The Steampunk Bible before it, an interesting look for novices and fans alike into this fascinating genre. Whereas that volume offered an overview of the works of the genre, this volume focuses on the fans and DIY aspects. As a result, readers' mileage with the book will likely vary greatly depending on where their interest lies. For example, I found the storytelling (i.e. novel and short stories) section of the book to be the most interesting as that is my creative field but other sections covering artwork, fashion, and music all had something of interest. If you're a fan of the genre or have just been curious about it, this is well worth giving a read.

[Elise Belleville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ce livre est un indispensable pour tout créateur Steampunk.
Toutes les formes d'art sont évoquées, de très nombreux artistes donnent des conseils et présentent leurs idées.
De plus de nombreuses illustrations et photographies permettent de s'immerger dans une certaine atmosphère propice à la création.

Je conseille à tout ceux qui ont des projets et cherchent conseils et inspiration !

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff VanderMeer, this time collaborating with Desirina Boskovich, presents another curious insight into the steampunk genre. Contributors new and old tell how the genre inspires them and their creative process. The book is divided into chapters covering different elements of steampunk, these cover art and making, design, writing and music. It’s all as fascinating as the book’s predecessor The Steampunk Bible. In fact this book is very much a fitting companion piece.
As an aspiring author I obviously found the writing section the most useful and inspiring. The advice from established writers is very useful, some of which are actually friends of mine, which added a more personal touch for me.
The Steampunk User’s Manual feels almost like a college prospectus of steampunk as a whole and is very much designed to inspire readers to go and create their own steampunk ideas. There are a few projects for you to try; they are clearly described and easy enough to follow. However, I feel that it is a book much more committed to inspiration and advice than acting as an instruction manual.

[Lisa Ahlstedt · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who is interested in the Steampunk movement, this is an invaluable book. The authors have interviewed many artists who are active in many different areas, including music, art, design, storytelling and the book includes many beautiful photos of their work. The book is also very useful and inspirational for people who want to create their own works, with such topics as coming up with ideas, incorporating Steampunk into your own area of interest, and developing your skills. There is no shortage of ideas and inspirations included in the book! The last part of the book asks for "big ideas" from various artists -- asking them to describe their dream if-money-were-no-object projects. As someone who is not at all creative, the ideas and photos in the book are really amazing. I received a copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads.

[A.J. Bauers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provided a nice generalized overview on the way Steampunk is currently impacting our current society. Some of the interesting things this book introduced me to was the fake machines created by Jake von Slatt that were powered by the Aether and crystals. This prompted further research into these concepts and how they historically relate into the Steampunk concept. It also taught me there are certain overdone cliches in the Steampunk genre, including googles, gears and clockwork insects. This doesn't necessarily mean that I as an author should avoid them, it just means their placement should be intentional and make sense in the scope of my story.

While these points were interesting, I found the book a bit too focused on the modern placement of Steampunk with crafts, music, and whatnot. Still, it was an good read.

[Nicki Markus · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Steampunk User's Manual was an interesting read. It was not quite what I had imagined when I bought it (I think I need to check out VanderMeer's Steampunk Bible instead); however, I still found it enjoyable. This is a good overview of the different aspects of steampunk from clothing to writing to music. I found a few writers and musicians I intend to check out. The projects included were interesting, though some were rather involved. If you are entirely new to steampunk, you probably want to check some other sources first, but if you are starting out and looking for further inspiration, this could be the book for you.

[Rosie Reast · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly inspiring book. I picked this book up because it had a section on writing Steampunk. While that section was good, the other sections on Steampunk art etc were wonderful. While reading this book I realized that I had more skills than I thought I did and should stop being scared and try making things.
I am now actively looking round for materials that can be used in creative projects. I have rediscovered a love of making things I'd buried long ago.

[Karen]

I was intrigued by the thesis in an early essay in the book that Steampunk is a reaction to the increasing sleekness of industrial design; gears and ornamentation to counteract the smooth plastic and glass devices we never have far from our reach in the modern world. I liked some of the descriptions of artistic process. I stopped reading, though, because I wasn't interested in the projects and don't really connect with the aesthetic.

[G.R.S. Hjelm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book to just grab when the mood strikes, it's full of short, interesting articles on everything Steampunk. Writing, music, design, artworks, fashion, architecture - so many things that can get your own creative juices flowing!

I also really like the DIY tutorials that are included, the banjo looks awesome and I really like the jacket. Plus all those wonderful pictures are really inspiring!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview not just of the Steampunk culture but, more importantly, the people of the community, and the incessant push to include EVERYONE of all genders, nationalities, ethnicities, etc., and not be dicks like some other communities we could mention.

These are all awesome people and I LOVE their imagination - both of a cool retro-future world - but, more importantly, imagining a world that includes all of us. :-)

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are amazing. This book gives some explanation of the whole "Steampunk" fashion, art, music, literature, etc. It also gives some DIY steampunk projects. I picked it up because I wanted to know more about this topic and it is a good resource for anyone wanting to know more about steampunk.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and insightful when it comes to steampunk and trying to define what exactly it is. Unfortunately, most of the projects within this eye-catching guide are a bit too time consuming to hold as a program...

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of clever projects shown and ideas for many more. While probably for the experienced DIY person, it is still a fun read for anyone interested in this genre. Copiously and colourfully illustrated.