Commentary: Here in the U.S., some folks seem to think that
#steampunk doesn’t exist outside of hotel conventions. But while conventions are important, we should keep in mind that they’re not the alpha and omega of the community.
https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/conventions-are-important-they-dont-define-steampunk
Conventions Are Important, but They Don’t Define Steampunk
In the current economy, some steampunk conventions are having a tough time attracting participants. But events come in all shapes and sizes, and some reduce the costs of entry in ways that could benefit conventions.
Scenes from Whitby Goth Weekend, where vampires and other dark creatures mingled happily with goths and steampunks. Photos by Craig Jenkins.
#steampunk #goth #whitbygothweekend https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/photos-vampires-steampunks-and-more-whitby-goth-weekendWeekend calendar: Three U.K. events (Steam Trains and Fairytales, Newark Steampunk Festival, Steampunk & Roses Day) plus
#steampunk happenings in Germany and Michigan.
https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/weekend-calendar-steam-trains-fairy-tales-vintage-cars-and-more
Weekend Calendar: Steam Trains, Fairy Tales, Vintage Cars, and More
This weekend’s steampunk calendar includes three happenings in the U.K. plus a vintage car show in Germany and an indoor festival in Michigan.
This week in
#steampunk: AutomataCon preview; Publishers sue Meta over AI; Life after Facebook?; SPN Festival postponed; Weekend calendar; New Boston Metaphysical Society collection on Kickstarter.
https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-may-15-2026New on Kickstarter: Boston Metaphysical Society Vol. 3, featuring Mystery at Pikes Peak and more. It’s the latest in the popular
#steampunk graphic novel series by Madeleine Holly-Rosing.
https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/new-boston-metaphysical-society-collection-launches-kickstarter
New ‘Boston Metaphysical Society’ Collection Launches on Kickstarter
Madeleine Holly-Rosing is once again crowdfunding her steampunk graphic novel series, this time with a hardcover volume featuring Mystery at Pikes Peak.
A New York Times tech columnist recently opined that Facebook parent Meta is slowly dying. Steampunk fans are entrenched on Facebook, so where else can they go? The answer, we think, might be found in the protocols underlying Bluesky and Mastodon.
#steampunk https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/facebook-long-world-can-anything-take-its-place
Is Facebook Long for This World? Can Anything Take Its Place?
It might be time for steampunk fans to think about life after Facebook. But what could replace it? The answer may lie in a new “open social” approach that frees users from the walled gardens of proprietary platforms.
Five major publishers and author Scott Turow filed a class action suit against Meta Platforms and Mark Zuckerberg over the company’s AI training practices. It looks like many
#steampunk authors could be eligible for the class. We have the details.
#genai https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/publishers-challenge-meta-new-ai-training-lawsuit
Publishers Challenge Meta in New AI Training Lawsuit
In another case that could have significant implications for steampunk authors, five major publishers filed a copyright infringement lawsuit last week alleging that Meta used millions of pirated books and journal articles to train its AI models.
AutomataCon, a biennial convention for automata enthusiasts, returns this weekend to the Morris Museum in New Jersey. It’s organized by Brett King, a well-known
#steampunk maker. We’ve posted a preview.
https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/automata-enthusiasts-gather-again-new-jersey-automatacon
Automata Enthusiasts to Gather Again in New Jersey for AutomataCon
Robots may be tropes of science fiction, but they have roots in mechanical devices known as automata that date as far back as ancient and medieval times. Next weekend, enthusiasts will celebrate these contraptions as AutomataCon returns to the Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey.
This week in
#steampunk: Watch City preview; Bourbon City preview; May Streaming Guide; Scenes from Spirit Alley; Generative AI primer; Lady Mechanika hits comic book shelves; Scientific Dragons audiobook.
#digest https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-may-8-2026Our latest crowdfunding roundup includes a graphic novel inspired by classic steampunk films, plus an anti-colonial comic book saga, two new novels, and new hardcover and audiobook editions of a novel released last year.
#steampunk #crowdfunding #kickstarter https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/new-kickstarters-steampunk-love-story-montreal-and-more
New Kickstarters: A Steampunk Love Story from Montreal and More
Our latest crowdfunding roundup includes a graphic novel inspired by classic steampunk films, plus an anti-colonial comic book saga and more.
