I was invited to talk about my steampunk novel, The Commodore's Gift on the Kino Isaac podcast recently. It was a lively and fun filled discussion on writing, inspiration, ideas and more.

This particular novel began life as a short story arising from a title prompt at a writing retreat many years ago. The prompt was entitled The Toymaker. Although, the narrative went in a different direction, I did still use parts of the original short story within the finished novel. When you read it you will discover who the toymaker is and his part in the plot.

If you are interested the definition of steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates retro-futuristic technology and aesthetics prominently inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery and design set in an alternative history of the Victorian era. Thus my heroine, Owena has to fight against Victorian etiquette while fighting within a rebel enclave.

You can listen and find out more about my writing life here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GJX4NC8R58

Interestingly, Kino resides in Africa, so it was a cosmic connection as I lived there for a while.

https://www.amazon.ca/Commodores-Gift-Mandy-Eve-Barnett/dp/1988723760