Steam-Powered: Lesbian Steampunk Stories, ed. JoSelle Vanderhooft (365 Books, Day 79)

[rushthatspeaks]

Obligatory disclaimer: An advance review copy of this anthology was graciously provided by the editor. Also, I know several people who wrote stories for this. This does not affect the content of the review in any way, or, if it does, I'll try to point that out when I come to it

Comments

[time_shark]

the aforementioned Mike Allen story feels to me as though it would like to be a novel

Gawd, a whole novel? *ulp*

But thanks so much for this excellent review!

[upstart_crow]

You know where you'll have a home for it if you do <3

[rachelmanija]

Woo-hoo! I'm so glad you loved it!

The working title for that story was "Gundam West," so yes, you correctly identified that source inspiration. The others were Louis L'Amour, the collected Westerns of Clint Eastwood, Gold Rush history, the part of the route from Los Angeles to Arizona that goes over the San Andreas fault, and my dislike for rape or childhood sexual abuse as the standard Dark Secret of women.

The other thing of interest is that this was not the original story I thought of with those characters and that setting, but rather their origin story. My original plot was a skewed retelling of The Magnificent Seven, and was in no way going to fit into the required length. I am contemplating continuing the story as a novel.

[upstart_crow]

Just repeating that YOU NEED TO DO THIS NOVEL AND I NEED THIS NOVEL.

er. Ahem. Indoors voice, Jo. Indoors voice.

[rushthatspeaks]

DO IT. DOOOOO IT, I WILL BUY SEVENTEEN COPIES AND GIVE THEM TO EVERYONE I KNOW. So much I want that book.

[upstart_crow]

Thank you again for the thoughtful and critical review! These things are very helpful for me as an editor.

[rushthatspeaks]

You are very welcome!

[csecooney]

Great review! Thanks for taking the time to do this. You totally made me want to read "Steel Rider."

[rushthatspeaks]

Thank you!

[gwynnega]

A wonderful review. I've already preordered the book, and am really looking forward to reading it!