Pax Britannia: Time's Arrow for Best Novel

The Victorian Steampunk Society Awards 2013 are now open for nominations, so please consider the following...

Time's Arrow for Best Novel

9 out of 10 for Time's Arrow from Starburst Magazine: "This is a pun-fueled, fun-filled romp for people who like wearing the colour brown and decorating everything they own with cogs."

The Eloquent Page: "Who knows where steampunk-ninja Jonathan Green will take Ulysses Quicksilver next, I can’t wait to find out."

Steampunk Doncaster - The view from behind the table

So, last weekend I was in Doncaster for the town's inaugural Steampunk festival, cunning called Steampunk Doncaster.

As you might expect, there was all manner of steampunkery fun to be had over the course of the weekend and all manner of traders in attendance. As well as author readings and writing workshops, there were steampunk model photo sessions, leather crafts, a temperance bar, rayguns, and (of course) tea!

I was great to catch up with old acquaintances - including Meg Kingston, as well as Tom and Nimue Brown - and to make new ones, each if he had already met on Facebook. One of these was Rod Gillies, who puts my attempts at creating Lego versions of my stories to shame!

Rod Gillies reads from his new novel Neptune Rising.

 Richard - landlord of the Temperance Bar.

 It was good to see some familiar faces. Here Emma introduces her son to the delights of Pax Britannia.

Mr Green and Mr Brown, creators of Clemency Slaughter and the Legacy of D'Eath.

On the Saturday I read an extract from Time's Arrow (the most recent Ulysses Quicksilver adventure) and took part in a Q'n'A session as well. On the Saturday night a whole group of us** made our way into town for a bite to eat and something to drink after a very busy day, before heading to the BB Black Dog gig at Cask Corner.

I was also kept company over the course of the event by Archimedes the parrot, who received far more attention than I did and had many more photographs taken. (You can see more photographs of the event here.)

It just remains for me to say thank you to Craig, Candice and Tony for all their hard work in setting up the event and making sure it ran so smoothly and to Laura for looking after me so well (especially on the Saturday night). Special mention should also go to Rod Gillies (for the stove pipe hat) and Tom Brown (for the original painting of Yours Truly in Victorian attire).

Here's to next year's event, which will be even bigger and better than this year's!


* What is the collective noun for a group of Steampunks? An Anachronism?

The Victorian Society Steampunk Awards 2013

The Victorian Steampunk Society has, from its formation, recognised excellence in the world of Steampunk. At this year's Weekend at the Asylum (a.k.a. Asylum V) the VSS will make their awards for works released in 2012.

Nominations come from the general public with the shortlist being drawn from these nominations. Awards will be made following a popular vote of all AVSS members attending The Asylum. (Even if you're not attending the Asylum yourself this year, you can still suggest a nomination.)

Last year, two of my books were eligible for nomination. This year it's just the one - Pax Britannia: Time's Arrow, in the Best Novel category. Just so you know...

"Some wonderful twists, cracking prose and of course a storyline that just keeps you gripped."

~ Falcata Times

Steampunk Doncaster - Day 2

I shall be appearing at Steampunk Doncaster again today, so why not stop by my stand and pick up a copy of my latest Pax Britannia novel Time's Arrow? Or you could always have a go at Mr Green's Marvellous Steampunk Tombola instead.

Steampunk Doncaster - Day 1

I shall be appearing at Steampunk Doncaster today, giving a reading and taking part in a Q&A session from 1.00pm - 2.00pm. So if you're in the area, why not stop by and say "Hi!" to Archimedes and myself?

International Steampunk Day 2013!

14 June is International Steampunk Day (and not H G Wells' birthday, as previously reported).

And it just so happens that tomorrow is the start of Steampunk Doncaster*. In the lead up to the UK's newest Steampunk event, I wrote a guest post for Craig Hallam's blog**.

If you are going to Steampunk Doncaster, maybe I'll see you there...

* Anybody'd think they'd planned it that way.

** Craig Hallam is the organiser of the Litarium element of Steampunk Doncaster.

Feel better with Feelgood's

Remember that particular tag line from Evolution Expects, my fourth Ulysses Quicksilver Pax Britannia novel? Or perhaps you remember this?

Well, if you're coming along to the Litarium at Steampunk Doncaster this weekend, you could pick up some of Dr Feelgood's Tonic Stout Fudge!

Yes, you read that right - fudge! That you can eat! (And that doesn't do this to you.) It's been made especially for me for this event by Empire Edibles, so make sure you grab some early before it all sells out!

Steampunk Doncaster

There are less than five day to go before the UK's newest steampunk convention, Steampunk Doncaster, gets under way.

I shall be there, selling my wares and conducting a Q and A session on the Saturday, concerning my Pax Britannia books. So if you're planning on coming along, do stop by and say hello.

To find out more about Steampunk Doncaster, follow this link.