I think what we’re talking about is a search and replace kind of thing. Instead of magic, the author does a search and replace, changing things willy-nilly to give the world a steampunk feel. Unless the revision is carefully done, I just don’t think it works. It has to be cohesive and internally consistent, not done as a superficial paint job.

What about Van Helsing. Again, I would’nt have put it in the Steampunk realm, but really it is that.

Then really I think if an author starts to put those elements into their book, then that would indeed classify their book as steampunk.

And yes, you’re totally right. I think if an author is like, hey, this stuff is hot. Let’s add some dirigibles and steam-driven cars! It will show in the book.

I do feel very strongly that adding steampunk - or any “hot” concepts - to a novel just because they seem to make it marketable will show through. They’ll make the story awkward and stilted. Perhaps that’s the litmus test for my own novels. I’ll leave it to my critique partners to see if it feels as natural to them as it does to me.

*Love* the concept behind Bronze Gods! Definitely looking forward to snapping it up and giving it a good read.

Thanks again,
Jessica Rosen

I mean I look at say the Golden Compass, and to me I wouldn’t classify it as steampunk, but fantasy, but it definitely has elements of steampunk in it.

Or it could be there is a ton of fantasy that I enjoy that I’ve been calling fantasy this whole time and in reality its steampunk.