Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee will be represented at Steamcon II

My Steampunk ball gown just arrived and I am so thrilled. It proves that a girl never gets too old to play Dress Up. I plan to wear this little number not only to the Saturday night concert at Steamcon, but also to my Absinthe presentation which occurs at 6pm that evening. It is green, after all.


I am secretly grateful to the entire Steampunk community for hosting all these wonderful excuses to dress with the elegance of a bygone era.


One item I am planning to wear with my various Steampunk ensembles is a cherished gift from a longtime friend and mentor, Dale L. Walker. I first met Dale when he edited my three novels at Tor/Forge. He is not only an excellent editor, but an award-winning writer of American history and an authority on the life and works of Jack London.

His many books include Bear Flag Rising, Pacific Destiny, and the very intriguing saga of Mary Edwards Walker (no relation) who served as a physician during the Civil War.


Dale, knowing my love of Victoriana, recently sent me an 1897 medal commemorating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. I hope to host a visit from him here at The Victorian West in the coming weeks.