The Steampunk Explorer

Friday, May 1, is Bandcamp Friday, when Bandcamp waives its revenue share and musicians keep more of what you pay. It runs midnight to midnight Pacific Time. We’ve posted a directory of #steampunk artists on the platform. #bandcamp #bandcampfriday https://steampunk-explorer.com/resources/steampunk-performers-bandcamp

Exclusive report: The world's first AI-generated science fiction convention is coming to Silicon Valley. Read all about it at The Steampunk Explorer. Please note the date. #aprilfools #fandom #genai #artificialintelligence #scifi #ScienceFiction https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/bold-new-concept-fan-conventions-coming-silicon-valley

With the start of May comes a jam-packed weekend for #steampunk events, especially in England and Wales due to a bank holiday. We’ve posted a rundown. https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/calendar-may-bank-holiday-prompts-big-weekend-uk-steampunks

With the onslaught of AI images, where can authors, publishers, musicians, and other creators find content made by humans? We posted a guide to places (some surprising) where you can find AI-free #steampunk art. Plus some creative uses of photography to illustrate steampunk books. #genai #artificialintelligence
https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/want-avoid-ai-here-are-your-options-human-created-steampunk-art

This week in #steampunk: “Time Pirates” hit Watch City fest; Animated steampunk series coming to Netflix; Tippy Golden Teacup Awards; Lee Presson fundraiser; Abney Park streaming show; Brassbright anniversary edition; Weekend happenings; Kickstarter updates. #digest https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-february-20-2026

Online booksellers are already flooded with AI-generated titles, but it will get worse as marketers sell the idea that virtually anyone can prompt their way to literary stardom. #steampunk #genai https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/steampunk-authors-and-readers-beware-ai-onslaught-about-get-worse

This week in #steampunk: Our guide to AI-free steampunk art; Tom B. Wild’s ode to creativity; Chap hop artists on tour; Sherlock Holmes convention in Atlanta; Steampunk fun at a cotton mill; New sci-fi from a steampunk author; Kickstarter updates. #digest https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-april-10-2026

The Steampunk Explorer came into this world on March 6, 2018, and the gears are still turning eight years later. Here are some thoughts on this milestone, plus a closer look at last year’s reader survey. #steampunk https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/steampunk-explorer-turns-8

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

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-8-2026

Just posted: A short guide to generative AI imaging, including AI models, how they are trained, and the legal and ethical issues surrounding them. Although it focuses on #steampunk, it works as a general introduction to the topic of #genai. https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/primer-generative-ai-imaging-steampunk

This week in #steampunk: A jam-packed weekend for steampunk events; Bandcamp Friday; SPG music video; Abney Park streaming concert; New fiction; TeslaCon fans respond to gen AI commentary; The Luddites reconsidered. #digest https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-may-1-2026

Scenes from Whitby Steampunk Weekend, including a fashion show. It was held Feb. 6-8 in North Yorkshire, U.K. Thanks to Neil Henderson and Craig Jenkins for allowing use of their photos. #steampunk #gallery https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/photos-fashion-show-and-more-whitby-steampunk-weekend

Tomorrow (Feb. 6) is Bandcamp Friday, when Bandcamp waives its revenue share and musicians keep more of what you pay. It runs midnight to midnight PDT. We’ve posted a directory of steampunk artists on the platform. https://steampunk-explorer.com/resources/steampunk-performers-bandcamp

A new #steampunk streaming guide, including Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Around the World in 80 Days, plus a new pirate movie and Season 2 of The Artful Dodger. https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/streaming-guide-february-2026

A prominent convention posted a compelling plea for steampunks to participate in events. Unfortunately, its use of AI-generated imagery undermines the message and sets a bad example. We’ve posted a commentary. #steampunk https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/teslacons-call-action-and-ours

Weekend calendar: Steampunk fans will celebrate the works of Lewis Carroll at the Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival in Pennsylvania. Plus events in Boston, Phoenix, and the U.K. #steampunk https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/weekend-calendar-tell-tale-steampunk-festival-and-other-happenings

This week in #steampunk: Scenes from WWWC 14; April Fools’ parody; April Streaming Guide; New album from A Halo Called Fred; Weekend calendar; New steampunk collection on Kickstarter. #digest https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-april-3-2026

This week in #steampunk: March Streaming Guide: Murdoch Mysteries, Young Sherlock, and more; The Bride! arrives in theaters; Bandcamp Friday; Dates announced for Clockwork Alchemy, Duel at Dusk; Weekend happenings; Kickstarter updates. #digest https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-march-6-2026

This week in #steampunk: Scenes from CONpossible; Nikola Tesla rock opera; Tippy Golden Teapot Awards; Abney Park “Mad Max” video; Holographic singer goes steampunk; Weekend happenings; Kickstarter updates. #digest https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-february-27-2026

A rock opera about Nikola Tesla will premiere this June in St. Louis, with other cities expected to follow. Songs are available now for streaming. #steampunk https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/nikola-tesla-rock-opera-coming-st-louis-and-points-beyond

Scenes from CONpossible, held Feb. 6-8 near Atlanta. “Through the Fairy Ring” was the theme as #steampunk fans mingled with fae and a troll king. It was previously known as the Atlanta Steampunk Expo. #gallery https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/photos-steampunks-gather-fae-and-troll-king-conpossible

The organizers of the Watch City Steampunk Festival in Waltham, Massachusetts, facing the prospect of either moving the event or cutting it short, have opted for the latter. It will take place May 9 at Waltham Common but with reduced hours due to a new city regulation. #steampunk https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/watch-city-fest-remain-waltham-common-four-hour-program

This week in #steampunk: Swan song for WWWC; Scenes from Whitby Steampunk Weekend; New Mortal Engines prequel; New Frenchy and the Punk single; New comics on Kickstarter. #digest https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-february-13-2026

This week in #steampunk: Scenes from The Edwardian Ball; February Streaming Guide; Another Bandcamp Friday; Prof. Elemental opens colouring competition; Weekend happenings. #digest https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-february-6-2026

Fashion and costumes from The Edwardian Ball in SF. Lots of amazing looks, some inspired by Edward Gorey, others in steampunk, Victorian, or goth styles. #steampunk #edwardianball #edwardgorey #gallery https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/photos-fashion-and-costumes-25th-edwardian-ball

We have a preview of Bourbon City Steam, the #steampunk convention happening May 8-10 in Louisville, Ky. The story also includes a photo gallery from last year’s gathering. #gallery https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/photos-steampunk-shenanigans-kentucky

Time for another #steampunk streaming guide, except this month it’s more like a sci-fi streaming guide. Notable arrivals in April include a new animated Star Wars series, an animated spinoff of Stranger Things, and the fifth and final season of The Boys. https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/streaming-guide-april-2026

Scenes from The Edwardian Ball, held Jan 30-31 in SF. It’s a one-of-a-kind spectacle that’s part circus, music festival, art exhibition, and masquerade party. We’ve also posted a separate gallery of costumes. #steampunk #edwardianball #edwardgorey #gallery https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/photos-edwardian-ball-celebrates-silver-anniversary

This week in #steampunk: Tough choices for Watch City Steampunk Festival; Edwardian Ball preview; Galveston Steampunk Festival announces date, vendor openings; Arts coalition launches gen AI protest campaign; Steampunk Oz comic on Kickstarter. https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-january-30-2026

This week in #steampunk: Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival preview; Scenes from Bourbon City Steam (and a preview); The AI fiction onslaught is about to get worse; Steampunk fans have choices; Young Sherlock renewed for Season 2. #digest https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-april-17-2026

This week in #steampunk: “Heavy news” from Frenchy and the Punk; TeslaCon’s call to action (and ours); TeslaCon responds; Weekend calendar; New comic book series set at Whitby Goth Weekend. https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-april-24-2026

Our 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

Preview: Fans of Sherlock Holmes will gather April 10-12 in Atlanta for 221B Con, a convention dedicated to the famed detective, including recent incarnations in film, TV, comics, and other media. #steampunk #sherlockholmes #221Bcon https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/atlanta-convention-celebrate-all-things-sherlock-holmes-weekend

Here’s our March #steampunk streaming guide, including a new season of “Murdoch Mysteries” plus the new Guy Ritchie series “Young Sherlock.” Also: HBO Max is streaming “The Bride of Frankenstein” as “The Bride!” arrives in theaters. https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/streaming-guide-march-2026

Friends of musician Lee Presson launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover his medical and living expenses following a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. His performances were a staple at the Clockwork Alchemy #steampunk convention. https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/gofundme-campaign-raises-funds-lee-presson-following-cancer-diagnosis

This Friday, a theatre in London will host a screening of Mortal Engines followed by a Q&A with author Philip Reeve. The event coincides with the release of a new prequel. The author is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of the original novel, a favorite among #steampunk fans. https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/philip-reeve-discuss-new-mortal-engines-prequel-london-theatre

This week in #steampunk: Scenes from the Revelry Ball; Asylum festival reveals entertainment lineup; New Victor and the Bully video; Soulless manga omnibus; New fiction; SWFL SteamCon; Kickstarter updates. #digest https://steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steampunk-digest-march-27-2026

Weekend calendar: CONpossible returns to the Atlanta area with “Through the Fairy Ring” as the theme. Plus Whitby Steampunk Weekend and an event in Christchurch, NZ. #steampunk https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/weekend-through-fairy-ring-conpossible-near-atlanta

Weekend calendar: The Watch City Steampunk Festival (near Boston) is back with reduced hours, but it looks like they managed to pack a lot of #steampunk into the allotted time. Plus happenings in Kentucky, Arkansas, Upstate New York, and the U.K. https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/weekend-calendar-watch-city-bourbon-city-old-timers-and-more

The 14th Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention, scheduled for March 19-22 in Tucson, AZ, will be its last, the organizers announced on Monday. They’re planning for “the strongest, most joyful, most memorable WWWC ever.” #steampunk https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/wild-wild-west-con-set-grand-finale-march

The Fourth Annual Tippy Golden Teacup Awards will be presented Friday night during a free live streaming event. The awards recognize accomplishments by #steampunk luminaries. https://steampunk-explorer.com/news/fourth-annual-tippy-golden-teacup-awards-set-friday-night

Time for another #steampunk streaming guide, and it's a good one this month with The Prestige, Hugo, Good Omens, and Spider-Noir. Plus, for the first time ever on a streaming service, Tales from the Crypt. https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/streaming-guide-may-2026

Scenes from the 14th (and final) Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention, held March 19-22 in Tucson, Arizona. There were lots of hugs during the closing ceremony as attendees bid a fond farewell to the event.

Photos by Pete Mecozzi and Brian Williams.

#steampunk #gallery https://steampunk-explorer.com/articles/photos-steampunk-fans-bid-fond-farewell-wild-wild-west-con