Full Steam Ahead to Happiness

Say you’re a writer. (Yes, I’m hearing “You’re A Writer!” from those of you permanently mindwarped by Zucker Brothers movies).  Anyway – you’re a writer, and are adept in the genre of Steampunk.  You come across the submission details for an upcoming anthology, and pause to read it through.  To your surprise, there is a stipulation that your submission has “No depressive ending, no preaching, no agendas, no angst-ridden misery.”

This stipulation comes from the Happy Smiley Writers Group, who produce anthologies.

That’s right.  Your cast of characters isn’t eaten by Cthulhu. Your beloved hasn’t removed your head and wired it to run his pneumatic devices with the power of your pain while he canoodles with a clockwork doll.  Your city doesn’t burst into flames due to an errant Tesla coil.

Steampunk has often been so closely associated with dark sci-fi and horror fiction, frosted with Victorian medical and scientific terrors and just enough goth to seal the deal.

I’ve been wishing for more positively empowered writing – Engineers that actually succeed in creating that perfect future, dreamers who find their fantasies can come true.

Maybe I can find a dose of my Steampunk Happiness between the covers of “The Steampowered Globe”.  I’m looking forward to finding out!

Please read Jess Nevin’s review!  (Jess IS one damn fine reason Steampunk is a happy, wonderful place.)