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Tag Archives: Romanpunk

New Novella in the works – The Last Gladiator

09 Tuesday Jul 2019

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Novellas, Self-Publishing, The Last Gladiator, World of Romanpunk

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Novella, novellas, Romanpunk, The Last Gladiator


Hi all,05-Escape-of-Corbus

I wanted to share the first page excerpt from my latest novella, the Last Gladiator. Focusing on a much smaller part of the world, it details the story of Master Ilyensio Horatio, master of the Ludus Magnus, one of the last training compounds for human gladiators in an era when the mechagladiators are about to dominate the colliseum. C&C always appreciated, let me know what you think! The goal for this is roughly 10-12,000 words, as I’d love to start getting some more novellas out this year and next with the eventual goal of creating that print anthology to accompany the Steam Empire Chronicle series.

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Laurel Emperor Cover Reveal!

15 Sunday Apr 2018

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Cover Art, Laurel Emperor, Self-Publishing, Steam Empire Chronicles, Teasers/Trailers

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Cover Art, Cover Reveal, Laurel Emperor, Romanpunk, Steam Empire Chronicles, steampunk


It’s time! Time for you to see the most impressive cover of the Steam Empire Chronicles series. Without further ado, here it is!

LaurelEmperor_1600-Barnes-and-Noble

LaurelEmperor_3D-BookeCover-transparent_background

Let me know what you think! What are you most looking forward to?

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NaNoWriMo Day 30 – Could Steampunk have saved the Roman Empire?

30 Wednesday Nov 2016

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Guest Posts, NaNoWriMo2016, Self-Publishing, World of Romanpunk

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Guest Post, Romanpunk


Here’s another awesome guest post by Joshua Stanton, who attempts to answer my  favorite question – Could Steampunk (or power perhaps?) have saved the Roman Empire? Be sure to check out his reviews!

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Day 12 – An Exercise in Nation Building

12 Saturday Nov 2016

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Laurel Emperor, NaNoWriMo2016, Self-Publishing, World of Romanpunk

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Laurel Emperor, NaNoWriMo2016, Romanpunk, Rufius Tiveri Alexandros


Salve! Happy Weekend!

Julius Brutus Caesar

Alexandros is back with a purpose in his first chapter in Laurel Emperor. I admit, I’ve been struggling a bit with his story line right now. Ever since the events in Steel Praetorian, and their resolution, it’s been tricky to try and shoehorn him into the events that are engulfing the rest of the nation, without making it seem forced. While he is a hero, the idea that he could just come in and replace someone already loyal to Constantine and his loyalist faction is very unlike him. So I’ve had to come up with an alternative idea for him to follow. More beyond the break.

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Day 6 – World Building Again

06 Sunday Nov 2016

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Laurel Emperor, NaNoWriMo2016, Self-Publishing, Steam Empire Chronicles

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Corbus, Laurel Emperor, Romanpunk, Worldbuilding


Hi all,

As usual, NYC has pushed me behind my word count, but never fear I should catch up tomorrow (he says hopefully).

Word Count 8872 – 1, 200 behind. Read today’s snippet beyond the break.

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Dalmatia, Pannonia, Center of the Action

20 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Alternate History, Designing a Story, Self-Publishing, Steam Empire Chronicles, Steel Praetorian

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Tags

Romanpunk, self-publishing, steampunk, Steel Praetorian


Hi all! Today’s update focuses on the center of the action here in book #4, Steel Praetorian.

If you don’t want to read spoilers, don’t read ahead! Just enjoy looking at this lovely little map so you know where the action will be taking place!

Dalmatia

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Communication in the Steam Empire Chronicles

18 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Alternate History, Designing a Story, Self-Publishing, Steam Empire Chronicles, Technology, World of Romanpunk

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

alternate history, communication, Romanpunk, steampunk, technology


Good Morning!

I thought that I’d put together this handy quick-reference guide to communication in the world of the Steam Empire Chronicles. So click read on to learn more about how Romans (and others) talk with each other! (Besides Latin, Yes, I know they already speak that language.

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Finalizing Iron Tribune + A Kickstarter Update

23 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Illustrations, Iron Tribune

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Tags

alternate history, Iron Tribune, roman, roman empire, Romanpunk, steampunk


Hi everyone,

Sorry for the delay in posting but I wanted to have a lot to share! Below you’ll find a sample illustration and the final cover and back cover illustration/artwork. I’m really excited to share these with you. Kickstarter backers have access to almost all of the illustrations as well, which come as a perk of being a backer!

With these done, and the maps being finalized, all that remains is for me to double check all the formatting and illustration locations, receive the final files and upload them to the Amazon, B+N, and Smashwords book sites. With that done, I can order proof and final copy print books and prepare to send them out to all my backers and then place them up for general sale! Without further ado, here’s the illustrations.

IronTribune_6x9_Cream_270_9-16-2015

IronTributeIllo1_08_14_15

Can’t wait to share the entire book with you!

Oh, and did I mention there’s a good chance I’ll be getting The Steam Empire Chronicles translated into a different language? I’m in negotiation with a company to license and distribute my book in Portuguese. We’ll see where it goes, but I’m excited to explore this opportunity!

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Why don’t we see more ‘Alternate’ Steampunk?

19 Monday Aug 2013

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in World of Romanpunk

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

alternate history, Romanpunk, s m stirling, steampunk, Victorian era, Victoriana


I was checking out my Amazon Author Page the other day, and happened to be reading the reviews that people have given. I was struck by the comments in several, in particular those that said my novel was a great read for someone looking for something other than the usual Victorian steampunk. I’m flattered by these comments, but it had me thinking, why don’t we see more ‘alternate’ steampunk novels? (You can see more about how to respond to reviews here)

I suppose this question is answered in the most basic form by looking at the origin of

Virtuoso by Jon Munger and Krista Brennan

Virtuoso by Jon Munger and Krista Brennan

the word steampunk. “Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery,especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century.” (According to Wikipedia) or if you prefer Urban Dictionary, “What the past would look like if the future had happened sooner.”

So that gives some insight, but not enough. You have to look at the words 19th century and western civilization. Most Steampunk happens in Victorian (or proto-victorian) England/ Western Europe or in the wild west. Even those novels that don’t explicitly take place in those locations include people from those locations. Peshawar Lancers, by S.M. Stirling, takes place in India, but a Englishized India.

So why do we not see more steampunk writing from the Far East? Or Africa? South America? People write what they know, and what they’ve learned. If you’re an American or British writer, you probably know western history with a spattering of eastern history when it coincides with western. I would LOVE to write a steampunk novel about Brazil (and I’ve actually got one way way wayyyy on the backburner in idea form) but I happen to have a great resource who grew up in Brazil as a major partner in it. If left to my own devices, could I write a novel? Sure, but I doubt it would be truly authentic. Steampunk doesn’t have to be authentic (it is, after all, science fiction), but the culture it is based on does need to feel and act authentic. If you don’t know about a different culture, how can you write about it?

There are a few authors who are trying to breach the boundaries of ‘traditional’ steampunk, but you’ll have to look good and hard for them. If you have any suggestions, leave them below and I’ll edit the post. I’d love to read some other non-standard steampunk ideas. For more information, check out this great post on Beyond Victoriana.

 

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Sneak Peek at Antioch Burns…

06 Saturday Jul 2013

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Kickstarter, Self-Publishing, Teasers/Trailers, World of Romanpunk

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

previews, Romanpunk, steampunk, teasers


Hi all!

In the 4th of July Holiday spirit, I figured I’d share a bit more of the most recent update to Antioch Burns. In this scene, the Mongols attempt to eliminate the remnants of a Roman patrol on the outskirts of Antioch before they can warn the city….

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