The Steampunk User's Manual: An Illustrated Practical and Whimsical Guide to Creating Retro-futurist Dreams

By Jeff VanderMeer and Desirina Boskovich

This comprehensive guide to Steampunk creations of all kinds offers inspiration and practical tips for bringing your own retro-futuristic visions to life.

Whether you’re a newbie to the world of Steampunk, or a long-time enthusiast of airships, goggles, and mad scientists, The Steampunk User’s Manual is essential reading. The popular subgenre of science fiction has grown into a cultural movement; one that invites fans to let their imaginations go wild.

In this volume, Jeff VanderMeer—the renowned expert in all things Steampunk—presents a practical and inspirational guidance for finding your own path into this realm. Including sections on art, fashion, architecture, crafts, music, performance, and storytelling, The Steampunk User's Manual provides a conceptual how-to guide on everything from the utterly doable to the completely over-the-top.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Nov 25, 2015
• ISBN: 9781613127087

Jeff VanderMeer

Jeff VanderMeer is an award-winning novelist and editor. His fiction has been translated into twenty languages and has appeared in the Library of America’s American Fantastic Tales and in multiple year’s-best anthologies. He writes non-fiction for the Washington Post, the New York Times Book Review, the Los Angeles Times, and the Guardian, among others. He grew up in the Fiji Islands and now lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with his wife.

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Reviews for The Steampunk User's Manual

[Austin · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Can't even read it because all the text is scrunched together.

[ladycato · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I won this at the book's launch party at World Fantasy in Washington D.C.As a steampunk author, I often have to explain what steampunk is to family or other folks. I wish this book was a bit more portable, because it would sure be nice to flip it open to any page and say, 'See this? Steampunk!' This is really a coffee table-sized volume, full color and packed with photographs and artwork. It's truly a feast for the eyes and the text is likewise illuminating. The title might mislead some to think this is a DIY book for makers. It does include step-by-step instructions on several fascinating projects, but the subject matter is much more broad. It elaborates on steampunk as a phenomenon within literature, clothing, music, and stage, and where these artists find their inspirations. The pictures alone are great for a newcomer to steampunk, even though the overall content might overwhelm them. I really see this as being for someone who is familiar with steampunk and wants to know more and/or to have a downright gorgeous book to keep on display.