BTS of the Chicago Steampunk Expo and... 💖⚙️📚
🎁 Open for access to my panel slides! Plus, join me for the Nebula Awards Conference?
I just returned from an amazing trip to the Chicago Steampunk Expo over the weekend! I loved getting to see old friends, readers, artists, makers of all kinds, and meet new faces, too!
This year I came early on Thursday so that I could attend a special screening of a new Steampunk epic Myth of Man followed by a Q&A with film director Jamin Winans and producer Kiowa Winans. It was a gorgeous movie, like a magical silent film.
I have so many thoughts about the movie, all of them fantastic, that I'll probably be sharing in a future newsletter, but if you love silent films, fables, folklore, fairytales, steampunk, and characters with heart, give Myth of Man a watch. I loved it even more upon my second viewing. I was blown away learning just how many human artists contributed to the film and the level of painstaking detail used for the special effects that carefully balanced stunning visuals without overpowering the story.
The convention officially runs from Friday to Sunday every year and it goes by so fast! I had a fantastic time vending, paneling, catching up with author friends, meeting Gregula, visiting Barfleet, and of course, going to the masquerade!! 💖
I'll likely post more pictures sometime after I'm back from the Nebula Awards Conference this weekend. In the meantime, you can check out the fun pics in the Facebook group!
This clip from the Expo made me smile because I saw these cosplayers in the hallway (and definitely walked into a plant while I was distracted by their craftsmanship…😂💀) Walking mishaps aside, I love the creativity that people bring to the con!
Panel Slides from the Chicago Steampunk Expo 2025
Thank you so much to everyone who came to my panels and my sneak peek reading of The Clockwork Coffin! One of my projects I'm planning to start later this summer is to record the audio part of my presentations and upload them to YouTube. In the meantime, here are my slides:
Inventions at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair
At the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, a plethora of groundbreaking inventions were unveiled, showcasing the ingenuity and innovation of the era. Notable inventions from the fair included the first successful hand-powered dishwasher, the Ferris wheel, Cracker Jack popcorn, and the first moving pictures, all of which left a lasting impact on society. Come explore these fascinating innovations and their enduring legacy!
What if? Alternate History in Media
Alternate history stories can be found in books, movies, television, comics, games, and more. These reimaginings can range from realistic to fantastical, from serious to humorous, from dystopian to utopian. In this panel, we’ll discuss some of the most popular and influential works of alternate history in media, such as Watchmen, Anno Dracula, and Loki. We will also explore the themes, challenges, and implications of creating and consuming alternate history stories.
We’re Going Down the Rabbit Hole in 2026!
There’s already an event page for next year’s Chicago Steampunk Expo! The theme for June 12th-14th, 2026 is The 1893 Expedition to Wonderland! Authors Gail Carriger and Leanna Renee Hieber are returning as special guests and there will be music from UnWoman. You can stay tuned for more details here or purchase tickets here! I’m excited for the Alice in Wonderland theme. I think it’s going to be so much fun!
Join me at the Nebula Conference?
This week, I’m on the road to Kansas City for the Nebula Awards Conference from June 5th-June 8th! I'm so excited to be on the “Genre Wars: Mashups Instead of Knockouts” panel with this year’s Damon Knight Grand Master Nicola Griffith and Locus Award winner Ray Nayler!
This conference is for writers from a range of backgrounds, from novelists to game writers. If you're an author or an aspiring one, you can attend either in-person or virtually. For more information, check out the registration page here and the full conference schedule here.
Looking ahead, my next steampunk event will be TeslaCon in November! Another room block just opened at the neighboring hotel. Let me know if I'll see you there!
Otherwise, I plan to split my summer between revisions, drafting, and adventuring.
Happy reading!
Mic issue aside, I definitely enjoyed the reading of The Clockwork Coffin's first chapter! There was so much to do at the con that I'm glad you posted the slides from your panels, will definitely be reading those when I have the proper time to absorb them!