Revenge of the Mad Scientist

by Lara Nance

When Lady Arabella Trunkett’s father, the High Lord Minister of Urbannia is kidnapped, all clues point to the mysterious country of Gandiss and the world is thrown into political upheaval.

Arabella is convinced the more sinister nation of Carabarras is to blame., urged on by a mad scientist seeking revenge. So, she sets out on a perilous airship journey across a variety of exotic locales to save him, and halt the potential world war.

But airship pirates, secret assassins and slave traders aren’t her only trials. The fickle hand of fate has made the captain of the only airship available for charter, the man that left her at the altar. For eight years she’s wished him dead. Now he’s her only hope.

Steampunk Style – It’s Everywhere!

By Lara Nance

So what is steampunk anyway?

The culture of Steampunk originated during the 1980s and early 1990s and incorporates a mixture of elements from science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, and speculative fiction. It involves a setting where steam is the power of the day—whether in an alternative universe or actual Victorian times. There have also been elements used in an alternate U.S. Wild West, or in post-apocalyptic times playing on this punk Victorian theme.

Today, artists feature technology involving clockwork, or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have imagined them. For instance, this technology includes such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. Take a look at this modern steampunk style bathroom decor by San Francisco architect Andre Rothblatt and contractor Fredic Grasset
as an example:

http://bernalwood.wordpress.com/2012/08/16/bernal-architect-creates-whimsical-
steampunk-bathroom

Steampunk has also infiltrated art, fashion, and design influenced by the aesthetics of steampunk literature. Various modern utilitarian/industrial objects are used by artisans to form a pseudo-Victorian mechanical “steampunk” style. There are also visual and musical artists now described as steampunk.

But in my opinion, nowhere has steampunk had more influence than in fashion. And never has this been more prevalent than the fall couture collections of 2012. Designers from Gaultier to Prada to Chanel have incorporated elements of steampunk, or at the very least–19th century fashion, to inspire their fall collections.

I couldn’t pull my gaze from Jean Paul Gaultier’s fall collection, full of top hats and tails, bustiers, and flowing capes. You can view the entire collection video at the following link. And keep watching until the end for the fabulous steampunk style wedding dress as the finale!

www.jeanpaulgaultier.com/brand/en/hc/haute-couture-par-jean-paul-gaultier#page-brand

For a full range of designers revealing their steampunk style this fall, here’s an awesome slide show for your viewing pleasure:

www.decimononic.com/blog/haute-couture-steampunk-fashion

Even America’s Next Top Model TV show is getting in on the steampunk action. The folks at www.clockworkcouture recently wrote: “The wardrobe stylists from America’s Next Top Model came and raided our store for items to incorporate into their high fashion shoot with Steampunk flair.” Here’s the place to view the slide show of their photos:
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150961650975896.394603.116071105895&type=3

If you want to find some steampunk outfits for yourself, there are a number of fine internet companies who focus on steampunk fashion, such as:

www.steampunkthreads.com
www.clockworkcouture.com
www.steampunkemporium.com

Stemapunk conventions are popping up all over the world and are a great place to wear your steampunk costumes and meet like-minded enthusiasts for tea and airship races. I’ll be at Steamcon IV in October with my steampunk trilogy, Airship Adventure Chronicles. The first book, Revenge of the Mad Scientist, is now for sale on Amazon and Barnes & Noble sites. It’s a romantic steampunk adventure in the style of Around the World in Eighty Days.

Give the book a look, and you might become a steampunk fan yourself! Here’s a chance to win a copy so you’ll be ready for 2012 steampunk fall. Leave a comment about your view of steampunk and you’ll be entered to win the book. For more information on my books, visit me at:
www.laranance.com.