Category: Conventions and Special Events

Catch me at “Hallowondrous” in Toledo OH October 14-15

After giving my “30 Years of Steampunk” talk at the International Steampunk Symposium, the fine folks behind OddMall approached me about making another appearance. This will be the first Halloween edition of an event described as “not your grandma’s craft fair,” and I am thrilled to be a part of it!

In addition to the exhibit and its accompanying lecture, I’ll be giving another talk on the things Victorians found frightening. This is different from the “Make it Supernatural” talk I’ve given before, and will focus on the urban legends of Victorian London such as the “Great Garroting Scare.” Jack the Ripper brought the idea of a serial killer into the popular imagination for the first time, and at a time when your reputation meant everything, a doppelganger could spell ruin.

So, come on out to the Seagate Convention Center in Toledo Oct 14-15 to see my talks, check out my merchandise, and enjoy the hallowondrous frivolity for the whole family.

Find out more about Hallowondrous

Would you like me to speak at your event? Check out my list of topics.

Don’t Miss the Slumber Party at the Writer’s Block July 15 at Motor City

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We always hear our favorite authors reading from their own work, but what about the cool things they’ve read? What are some of the works that our writers think are must-reads, or have just always wanted to perform? Want to read a part from an upcoming work? Come to the Writer’s Block after hours, have some snacks, and pull up a big cushy pillow for this freeform performance session!

Join me for the Character Creation Challenge at Motor City Steam Con this July 15

In addition to doing discussion and Q&A style panels, the authors at Detroit’s second annual MCSC will be on site to help con-goers come up with a killer backstory for their Steampunk creations.

“Want a real, live author to check out your costume and give it a backstory? Want to know what your clothes and gear say to a practiced creative’s eye? Let some of our authors build a character and steampunk backstory for you based on your original con-costume!”

I can’t wait you there July 12-14 in Detroit! Get tickets now 

Steampunk Genre Panel coming to Motor City Steam Con July 15

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What separates steampunk from science fiction? How is it different from gaslamp fantasy or dieselpunk? What are some of the classic must-read examples of steampunk, and why do we love them so much? Panelists discuss all of this and more in this panel on our favorite genre.

I got a chance to see a panel a lot like this one at the International Steampunk Symposium. And I’m looking forward for getting a chance to participate this time.

See you July 15!

Ashley Lauren Rogers and I will Take the Stage at Motor City Steam Con’s Theatremaking Session

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Have you ever wanted to write a play? How about create your own one person show? Award winning NYC Playwright Ashley Lauren Rogers will teach you how through theatre games and discussion about what goes into contemporary dramatic structure and challenging your notions of “What is a play?”

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I met Ashley Lauren Rogers at the International Steampunk Symposium and immensely enjoyed her one-woman show, Pass/Fail. Here’s a little bit more about her:

Ashley Lauren Rogers had shows produced in NYC, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin. Ashley was invited to the two week summer playwriting intensive at the Kennedy Center, Washington DC. Her one-person show PASS/FAIL received its premiere at Dixon Place Lounge NYC was performed for The Midtown International Theatre Festival, and was part of the Trans Theatre Festival at The Brick in Brooklyn, and a collection of shorter works will be presented in December for Step1 Theatre Productions.  Ashley received the 2014 ACM Award for Comedy Video for the pilot of Marisa and Rocco through Dogtoon Media. Ashley has written articles for Cosmopolitan, The Mary Sue, SFWA, John Scalzi Blog, Beyond Victoriana and Steampunk Magazine Online, has been a vlogger and a blogger for NerdCaliber.com. Ashley has developed a workshop for writers to learn how write for trans and non­binary narratives and is available on WritingTheOther.com. Ashley is the Producer/creator of the Is It Transphobic? Podcast.

Need a Speaker at your Steampunk Event? I’m Your Gal!

I recently created a page with a list of 30 different talks I can do at Steampunk conventions and other special events. I absolutely LOVE getting up and talking in front of an audience, and I know event organizers are always hungry for content. Sounds like a match made in heaven to me!

I will keep the page updated as I add new topics, and I am also very open to researching a new topic or catering an existing talk to your event’s theme. Feel free to e-mail about appearances at Phoebe @ PhoebeDarqueling.com.

Topics for Talks

The 30 Years of Steampunk Exhibit and Lecture this weekend in Cincinnati!

Happy Birthday, Steampunk!

In just 24 short hours, I’ll be hitting the road once again to report on an amazing Steampunk event. This is my second time visiting the International Steampunk Symposium, but this year I’m going as more than just a reporter.

When the convention organizers approached me about curating an exhibit documenting the last 30 years of Steampunk, I dusted off my Museum Studies MA and put together something that came out rather splendid. (With the assistance of fellow writer and layout wizard, P.R. Chase)

The exhibit will be on view from April 28-30 in Cincinnati at the Symposium (on “Baker Street”), with a possibility for another venue later this summer.

Symposium attendees can also catch my talk on the exhibit either Saturday 4:30pm or Sunday 1:30pm. In addition, I’ll be speaking about infusing the steam era with supernatural elements (Fri 10pm) and the relationship between aether and alchemy (Sat 8pm).

If you can’t make it to the Symposium, don’t fret! After the dust has settled from back to back conventions, Steampunk Journal readers will get to experience the exhibit as a weekly series of articles.

Subscribe to Steampunk Journal

Here’s a little taste: