I have DJ Edwardson here today to answer any questions you might have about writing, his writing, his writing process, or any other questions you might have for his!
I've not read any of his books yet, but I have one on my kindle and I need to read it.
I LOVE the cover for The Jammer And The Blade, it's awesome. Who designed it? What got you interested in writing steampunk, and what would you consider a "steampunk" book to be? I've always been a little fuzzy on the details there :D.
ReplyDelete~ Savannah
scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com
Hey, Savannah, I actually designed the cover myself. That is the third cover for that book as I wasn't quite satisfied with the first two. I've designed all of my covers up to this point, however for my next book I've decided to hire someone. It's so much work!
ReplyDeleteAs for steampunk, my short story, Artificer's Apprentice is the steampunk story I wrote. I originally didn't even write it as any particular genre, but as sort of a sci-fi / magic blend. And then when it came out, all the readers were like, "hey, nice steampunk story." So I sort of fell into the genre.
I'd say steampunk is any story set in an older society (usually victorian, though my story is more medieval and I've seen steampunk stories set in the old west) and then throw in advanced technology which is usually more fanciful than realistic, such as floating "airships" and other mechanical gadgets. Usually such technology is fairly limited, though, and most of the world still lives primitively., according to whatever era the story is set in.
I would consider Jammer and the Blade actually "cyberpunk", which are stories about a future where people use machines to augment themselves and there is usually a sort of underground fighting against a world dominated by corporations or corrupt governments.
Sorry for the long answer, but you asked a lot of great questions. Hope that helps!
I describe steampunk as "Historical fiction stuffed with science fiction, and with perhaps a light dusting of fantasy."
DeleteI need to write some steampunk.
Thank you for your answer! That definitely made it less confusing - I might have to pick up with The Jammer And The Blade and Artificer's Apprentice, I'm super curious about them now :D.
Delete~ Savannah
scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com
Ooh, steampunk! I love steampunk, but I'm curious- what in particular attracted you to it? (For me, I think it's the general aesthetic, plus the mix of science and fantasy.)
ReplyDeleteYep, you've hit on it. I like mixing both science and fantasy. And I agree with you about the aesthetic as well. Theres' something whimsical about a man with a monocle and top hat riding on a rocketship to mars!
ReplyDeleteMy steampunk short story, Artificer's Apprentice, is actually free if you'd like to check it out: http://www.djedwardson.com/book/the-artificers-apprentice/