Our last day of our Steampunk Appreciation Weeks is dedicated to Steampunk Romance. Earlier today we posted an article by Heather Massey, from The Galaxy Express. Now we open the floor to Meljean Brook, romance writer extraordinaire, whose Guardian series is one of Ana’s top favorites. The author is about to start a brand new Steampunk Romance series, The Iron Seas, which combines nanotech and pirates with a gritty, gaslit Victorian atmosphere. Ana reviewed the novella which opens the series, Here There Be Monsters a few days ago and LOVED it.
She is here today to talk about Steampunk Romance and her approach to writing it and why she thinks we will love it:
*****
Steampunk Romance: Because ‘Eureka!’ should be followed by ‘F#@k, Yeah!’
One of my favorite Hell, yeah! moments in any SF movie takes place in Aliens, when Ripley straps herself into the loader to face the alien queen. You probably know that scene, and her classic line … and you’re probably wondering why I’m talking about an SF movie when I should be talking about steampunk.
Since I’ve announced that I’m writing a steampunk romance series, one question that I’ve received more than any other is: What is steampunk romance? And there are rules and definitions surrounding it that can be debated by readers and writers until a mad scientist invents a gargantuan automaton that crushes us all beneath its steel feet – but as far as I’m concerned, steampunk romance is about writing a story exactly like that scene in Aliens. It’s about getting to that fist pumping, Hell YEAH! moment when everything comes together and the characters you’re rooting for kick some ass.
Not always literally kicking ass, of course. Maybe it’s outthinking the bad guy or building a gargantuan automaton that’s bigger and smarter than the other guy’s. Maybe it’s two lovers overcoming society’s barriers or trauma in their past. Whatever rules surround steampunk and define it, a great steampunk romance has the same heart as every other great romance: fantastic characters and an engaging story.
It’s not the gadgets.
Don’t get me wrong, the gadgets are a hell of a lot of fun. But they’re like Ripley’s loader: the machine itself is nifty, but the payoff comes because Ripley is in that machine – a machine that represents the damage the aliens did to her career, how they turned her into an emotional wreck, until she had to take a job using a freight loader. I love other characters in that movie – Hicks, Bishop, Valdez – but if anyone else had gotten into that loader, I wouldn’t have loved the movie or that moment as much as I do.
And the more I read the question What is steampunk romance?, the more I’m realizing that a lot of readers are asking another question behind it:
Am I going to love it?
Well, I hope so. But for those who are unfamiliar with steampunk and/or haven’t read many books in the genre, I understand why this question keeps coming up: there’s a lot of talk about the tech, the science, the worldbuilding. Questions of how the elements of the story might make it steampunk, or how the elements mean that it’s not steampunk – and is there enough of that element? It’s very easy to come away with the impression that the tech and the alternate history are all there is to steampunk.
And although you might run across an element of the story that makes you think, “Hey, that’s pretty neat!” … well, quite honestly, ‘neat’ doesn’t keep you up until 3am. ‘Neat’ might earn a passing mention while you’re at dinner with your friends, but it doesn’t make you shove that book into their hands.
Just like everyone else, I don’t want to read a story that’s just ‘neat.’ I don’t want to write a story that’s ‘neat.’ I don’t just want to think Eureka! I want shout F#@k YEAH! I want the story to grab my guts and twist – and get a good hold of my heart, too. Just like any good romance does.
But am I going to love it?
Okay, okay. It’s not fair to brush aside the tech like that, as if it doesn’t really matter. It does, a lot – and I’m one of those writers who can’t just tack on a brass plate and call it steampunk; I have to make the worldbuilding integral to the characters and story. But that doesn’t mean the worldbuilding overshadows the characters or the story – quite the opposite, actually – because behind those gadgets and giant robots are the characters who created them.
As fun as the gadgets are, steampunk doesn’t let us forget that the brains behind them were amazing. Tech can be used to dehumanize and to turn people into cogs, but it can also be a celebration of guts and ingenuity and innovation. Steampunk worlds are populated with bold characters who forge ahead, exploring physical and mental landscapes despite danger and fear, and they’re worth cheering for. The gadgets might inspire wonder, but deeper than that is the realization that someone created this, and that’s far, far more marvelous than the giant robot. It’s like someone smashes together Romanticism and the Enlightenment into one rough and riveted body, and not every piece will fit, but holy mama!—look what they managed to build.
Not that it’s all about happiness and rainbows and gold stars. There are some bad guys, too, who are just as astonishingly ingenious and innovative … and that’s why our heroes and heroines have to be, too. We want them to give us that Hell, yeah! moment, but they won’t do that if the gadgets are more interesting than they are.
And if the gadgets and the worldbuilding make the characters more interesting? It’s a win/win.
So am I going to love it?
Like every subgenre, it depends. I like paranormal romances and historicals, but I don’t like every one. I don’t normally like contemporary comedies, but I could name exceptions.
…but that is the boring, careful answer, isn’t it? So let’s just say,
Hell, yeah! You’ll love it.
*****
Hell, yeah! I am sure we will!
Want a taste of Steampunk Romance? Meljean Brook has a brand new copy of Clockwork Heart by Dru Pagliassotti ( one of Thea’s favorite Steampunk books, reviewed here) to giveaway.
A steampunkish romantic fantasy set in Ondinium, a city that beats to the ticking of a clockwork heart. Taya, a metal-winged courier, can travel freely across the city’s sectors and mingle indiscriminately among its castes. A daring mid-air rescue leads to involvement with two scions of an upperclass family and entanglement in a web of terrorism, loyalty, murder, and secrets.
In order to enter, leave a comment on this post – you can even ask the author any question about her series worldbuilding, she will be around to answer them. Contest is open to ALL and will run till Saturday April 24th 11:59pm (PST). Good luck!
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92 Responses to Steampunk Week – Guest Author and Giveaway: Meljean Brook talks Steampunk Romance
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I remember the review to Clockwork Heart, and thought it looked very interesting. It’s been on my wish-list ever since, but unfortunately I haven’t had the funds to purchase a lot of the books I’ve wanted.
I’d love to win.
Thanks for the great contest, and loved Brook’s guest post!
I just read clockwork heart a few weeks back aft Ana and Thea did the Steampunk week. It really fascinated me and I went on a shopping spree to buy some of the books they recommended. Thanks guys for introducing me to the genre. I’m slowly going through the other books.
Meljean, I’m looking forward to the anthology. I recently started reading your Guardian Series (I’m not really an adventurous reader – It took me a year (or two) or so after i heard about the series to actually start reading them!) and I love love love it.
I’ve been reading steampunk for decades, even before I knew what it was. Would love to read this book, too. Sounds fascinating.
Hell yeah, this book sounds like a blast!
I’ve never really touched romance books myself but maybe this’ll be my rude awakening?
Please count me in!
Oh I’ve been hearing about this book for so long, and I soooo want to read it! I’ve just been getting into steampunk works and CLOCKWORK HEART sounds amazing!
Thanks so much!
I am really looking forward to some steampunk romance. I love steampunk, I love romance – what better combination. I am an aspiring author. I have finished several manuscripts and I recently started a steampunk romance of my own. I am loving the process as my first steampunk novel.
I hope to hear lot from you in the future Meljean!
Heatwave16, I hope it does. And as a rabid fan of WW, I love your avatar.
Carol — the “punk” part will depend on every author, I think. Not everyone will want to write settings where society’s and/or political status quo will be questioned, challenged, or examined. For some, the punk will just be an aesthetic — or maybe they’ll get rid of it altogether, and just have the steam and gadgets.
But the punk part is tricky. And I don’t want to make it seem as if every steampunk includes a rigorous debate about political systems or anything. It’s just that the setting itself forces some of those issues to the forefront, but not (I hope) in a preachy way.
Bella — CLOCKWORK HEART is by another author, Dru Pagliassotti. My series won’t be out until later this year, and begins with the novella in BURNING UP in August, followed by THE IRON DUKE in October. I hope that clears it up!
I want to thank everyone again for their wonderful comments, and to Ana and Thea for inviting me to post during their steampunk week.
Thank you!
So, aside from general world-building, what, in your opinion does a steam-punk romance require, at least in your writing? Any specific types of technologies that you enjoy including, or specific character types that you think fit well into the genre? And, how well do you think it’s being recognized as a new genre/sub-genre, especially now that we have your books along with Kate McAlister’s Steamed series?
John asks, So, aside from general world-building, what, in your opinion does a steam-punk romance require, at least in your writing? Any specific types of technologies that you enjoy including, or specific character types that you think fit well into the genre? And, how well do you think it’s being recognized as a new genre/sub-genre, especially now that we have your books along with Kate McAlister’s Steamed series?
It requires a happy-ever-after, if it’s romance. I approach steampunk as simply historical science fiction, where the advanced technology is primarily steam- and clockwork-based (I do have nanoagents and biomechanical devices, and plenty of genetic manipulation, but that Horde technology and science isn’t available widely, and so the primary setting uses Victorian-ish tech, instead.) To me, that means influence machines, telegraphic communication, automata, steam engines of every size, coil guns, and so on.
As for character types, they are the same as I’d write in any romance, honestly – strong-willed, smart, flawed characters who can be the happy, go-lucky type, or the brooding and self-despising type. Because of the adventure often involved, a timid character probably wouldn’t be much fun to follow (perhaps funny, but running the edge of annoying) so I’ll probably avoid writing any of those, but otherwise, I think that much of the fun in exploring a world like this is to throw as many different types of characters as possible into it, and seeing how they respond. So I wouldn’t want to limit myself to a couple of types.
And how well do I think it’s being recognized as a subgenre? I honestly don’t know. It’s difficult, because most of the readers that I interact with are online, and so the discussions of steampunk online have at least touched their awareness, even if they don’t yet know WHAT steampunk is. So I think a lot of readers have an idea that it’s out there, but my perception and reality might be wholly different. All of the romance readers offline might not have a clue, aside from seeing KM’s book on the grocery shelves or in the bookstore.
But outside the romance genre, there’s been quite a few books that might have raised that awareness of steampunk/gaslight fantasy in general: Gail Carriger’s series is hugely popular, LEVIATHAN was as well, and Priest’s BONESHAKER has garnered a lot of interest, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if romance readers who’ve enjoyed those books begin looking for similar stuff in the romance shelves.
I do think, though, that “steampunk romance” isn’t going to be steampunk as I define it, or as Ana and Thea define it. Instead, it’s going to be a catch-all term for alternate reality Victorian romance, and it will include paranormal elements, as well. Gail Dayton’s work, Zoe Archer’s upcoming series – by stringent definition, they have steampunk elements rather than being simply steampunk. But it’s just too difficult to expect readers, booksellers, and everyone else to be super-picky about whether it’s REALLY steampunk or not. Sometimes, the “it’s kind of steampunky” has to be good enough.
I just read Gaily Dayton and the first thing that came into my mind was it had a great steampunk feel but with magic. Heart’s Blood was a great read.
I think in a past life I lived in the last 19th century London.
I’ve just started reading steampunk and your post was really informative. Please include me in the giveaway contest.
This sounds like a great read. Please enter me in the contest because I would love to win it.
jellybelly82158 at gmail dot com
ugh! I’m so sorry! I completely misunderstood… That’s what I get for trying to participate so late at night
but thank you for answering my question
The book sounds interesting. I’ve never read any Steampunk book, but I have Souless on my TBR pile.
The only “steampunk” novels I’ve read have been The Golden Compass trilogy, which were all pretty amazing. Even with the last steampunk week here, I didn’t pick anything up
Hopefully I’ll win, the cover looks very nice.
Comment number 67 is mine, sorry!
Although I’ve not yet read anything in the genre, I’m very keen to embark on the Steampunk airship.
Am I just as keen to read The Iron Seas? Hell yeah!
Thanks for stopping by with your post and excellent responses, Meljean!
Oops, comment #69 was me, by the way. *headdesk*
Sounds like I have another book to add to my TBR pile.
[...] discussion of steampunk over at The Book Smugglers led by guest poster and author Meljean [...]
Sounds intriguing. I’d love to enter!
Many thanks for this discussion. I’ve flirted with steampunk for a few years now but have felt the affair a trifle intimidating, and sorely lacking in the romance department. No pressure intended, of course, but I’m very much looking forward to this new series. It sounds as if it will be what I’ve hoped to find for some time. Yay!
[...] Meljean Brook, author of Demon Blood, at the Book Smugglers [...]
I just devoured Girl Genius, and am now simply waiting for school to be over so I can dive into the world of steampunk. I would love to read this book!
I’ve been into the anime/cartoon end of the steampunk genre for a long time. But recently with LEVIATHAN have been getting into the books. I would love to check out CLOCKWORK HEART after Thea’s glowing review.
Meljean: THE IRON DUKE has been on my radar and it good to know that we’ll get a glimpse into the world with the short story in August.
Pick me! Pick me!
I have never read anything by Meljean Brook, but this new series sounds good. Maybe I’ll start reading some of her other books. I’ve had Clockwork Heart on my radar for a while.
I’ve yet to read any (recent) steampunk, so I’d love to be able to read this book!
Thank you so much for the intersting post! I’ve never read a steampunk book and I’m very curious. This one sounds AMAZING! Thank you for making this giveaway international.
Giada M.
fabgiada @ gmail.com
I have to admit that I’m still a newbie to the steampunk world: have Soulless on my nightstand, and can’t wait to discover other great authors and novels in the genre. Since I love the Victorian era, the setting, the clothes, the etiquette and social traditions, steampunk is for me: I love this new and unusual take on the classic setting
Please enter me, would love to have the chance to read Clockwork Heart.
I have never read a steampunk book, but am always looking for new books to read.
What first attracted you to Steampunk?
And would you/have you ever written something in the horror-scifi genre a la Alien?
Eva wrote, What first attracted you to Steampunk?
And would you/have you ever written something in the horror-scifi genre a la Alien?
I think I was attracted to steampunk because I love historical romances, but can’t write a straight historical to save my life. Throw in a love of adventure and action, and steampunk just seems like a natural fit.
Not horror-scifi, but I’m hoping to go the horror-romance way after I’ve finished with my Guardian series. That will depend on whether I can actually sell it, though
I’ve never read a steampunk romance novel before. How is it different from other conventional romance novels?
Llehn asked, I’ve never read a steampunk romance novel before. How is it different from other conventional romance novels?
Aside from the worldbuilding (historical science fiction) it’s not any different than a conventional romance, or a paranormal romance, or a historical romance. You have the same elements that need to work: the main characters need chemistry, they need a believable relationship arc, and they need a happy-ever-after.
The only difference is that they are doing all of it in a steampunk setting.
I’m fairly new to Steampunk, but I find it fascinating, and your new series sounds very intriguing. I’m looking forward to it.
Clockwork Heart has been on my radar since it was reviewed during the last Steampunk week.
The book sounds good. I would like to read it.
I have been wanting to read this book for awhile now, especially since I have always found Steampunk interesting.
I’ve been hearing a lot about steampunk recenly, but I’ve never read a steampunk romance before, this book sounds good, I’d love to give it a try.
Ooh, that sounds very interesting! I’ve only just started to try steampunk, and this sounds like an excellent book.