The Steampunk Industrial Revolution

Pictures often speak louder than words, so I'm going to share a few of J. M. Lilley's awesome photos from the Steampunk Industrial Revolution. (Congratulations to the freshly minted Lilleys!) I do need to say a bit about just how much ridiculous fun I had last weekend. - As the Literary Guest of Honor I had the opportunity to do A LOT - I was on panels about Race and Gender in Steampunk, Steampunk and Left-Wing Politics, I judged the Queen of Steam Drag Show and I also was treated to the ongoing ridiculous and hilarious antics of The Wandering Legion and many representatives of The Red Fork Empire.

(Now this photo of me laughing was taken during an adventurous "Munchausen" game of truly absurd storytelling as a benefit for the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation trying to recover from flood expenses and losses. -- I maintain that most things can be blamed on either Baron Von Lahey or A Count Named Slick-Brass.)

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This convention brought HUGELY talented musicians into our midst. Please check out the convention guest list and track them all down. Indeed, there was dancing.

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AND of course, the opportunity to do readings is one of my very favourite things to do at a convention. I presented a new teaser for The Perilous Prophecy of Guard and Goddess, the Strangely Beautiful prequel, and a new Gothic short story that introduces some of the world and world building of my spooky, haunted Victorian New York of Magic Most Foul series coming in November.

Another pretty amazing and delightful thing this convention did differently was to bring theatre into the mix. A night of short plays brought some really talented writers and actors onto the stage, and I had the opportunity to present, under stage light (my very favourite, of course) a piece of fiction commissioned by Unhallowed Metropolis, the "gasmask-chic role playing game of Neo-Victorian horror" that details a day in the life of a member of the secretive Mourner's Guild of black-clad females trained to be zombie assassins. It went over quite well. Did I mention I love my job?

Thanks to the entire staff, participants and attendees, what an incredible time!

The Strangely Dramatic Tale of Miss Hieber's Victorian Wardrobe

Guest post by my clothing: The Strangely Dramatic Tale of Miss Hieber's Victorian Wardrobe - Via Love, Power & Fairytale Endings

Leanna and a TARDIS or, Epic Win

So what could be better than a steampunk event in a bar with a TARDIS? Well, not really much of anything. Huge thanks to Ay-Leen the Peacemaker of Beyond Victoriana and Lucretia of The Wandering Legion of the Thomas Tew for organizing Steampunk Stylin' at the uber-awesome The Way Station in Brooklyn this weekend, where their signature drink, The Way Station, is an absinthe-esque journey to exquisite. I was thrilled to read the Ripper chase scene from The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker. I was truly honoured to share the stage with the awesome talent of: Samara of Dancing Frozen, Psyche Corporation, Painless Parker, Eli August and all with Dorothy Winterman's gorgeous hats standing guard and a beautifully dressed crowd that never disappoints. One of my partners in crime from way back in the day, Kelley of the entrancing Wickie Arts, even made it out to the festivities. The TARDIS and me here pretty much sums up my mood about the whole thing. This might go beside the dictionary definition of SQUEE. (Thanks to the multi-talented J. M. Coen for said lovely and squee photos and to Michael Angelus Salerno and his ridiculously awesome steampunk-fitted camera for the photo of me and fellow fantasy author Mary Rodgers in her awesome captain's coat below.) Oh, yeah, and did I mention the BBC was there filming? *faint*

Next time you're up for an adventure, hit up The Way Station. It's bigger on the inside.

What's Leanna's next event? Why, she's the Literary Guest of Honour at the Steampunk Industrial Revolution!! Check it out!