What is Steampunk fiction?
Neil Mach
- Region:
- South East
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- author and social historian
- Fee:
- Expensed: the speaker would appreciate a reasonable contribution towards his travel expenses
- Category:
- Humanities
- Updated:
- 21st August 2025
- Tagged:
- Steampunk | Steampunk Fiction | Science-Fiction | Literary Genres
Following Neil Mach’s very popular slideshow presentation titled “What is Fantasy Fiction?” the Surrey author now offers an engaging 45-minute slideshow on the topic of Steampunk.
Have you ever heard the term but wondered what it meant?
The author explains what steampunk is via an enoyable and informative slideshow.
Steampunk adevntures offer young readers a captivating journey through Britain’s early industrial age. Steampunk tales facilitate the examination of alternate histories, grappling with difficult subjects like child labour, inequality, poverty, and imperial ambition while avoiding excessive moralising.
Steampunk stories provide a creative, simpler fictional world that allows readers the chance to escape the complexities and troubles of modern times.
The movement’s conceptual and visual appeal stems from steampunk’s blend of retro-futuristic tech, 'steam age' design, and the awesome imaginative potential of Victorian industrial pioneers.
Steampunk is a transformational genre where an author can examine the nature of our contemporary world by reimagining Victorian / Edwardian society, twisting the historical timelines into a distorted form that emphasizes steam-technology but also considers the sentiments, the etiquettes, and the manners of the period.
This lively 45-minute slideshow will teach you:
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The origins of the genre
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The difference between steampunk and science fiction
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How the genre reinterprets romanticism
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How steampunk fosters creative thought
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How steampunk promotes historical investigation
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How steampunk critically examines technology, prompting readers to question their established beliefs
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How steampunk narratives offer an enjoyable way to examine imperialism and the dangers of technological fallout
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How steampunk attracts young people to think about steam, brass, leather, wood, copper, and tin manufacturing
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How steampunk audiences will discover the elegant stylishness of steam technology and contrast it with today’s ‘throwaway’ digital culture
You are already halfway to comprehending + enjoying Steampunk literature if you ever loved Sherlock Holmes mysteries, devoured Dan Dare comics, read and reread Jules Verne’s novels, and found Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ and H. G. Wells’ “The Time Machine” to be enthralling... because all those stories incorporate elements of the Steampunk genre.
This presentation is perfect for book clubs, writer’s workshops, writing groups, or any community association.
Neil has given presentations at conventions, schools, universities, writers’ gatherings, community centres, and assisted living facilities. He can cater for any size group: large or small, and creative people of any age.
Views: 7 | Enquiries: 0About Neil Mach
Neil Mach is considered highly skilled in the art of public speaking.
It doesn’t matter how big or small your audience is! The author has delivered speeches to audiences of various sizes and ages, ranging from theatres to living rooms, and from care homes to first schools.
Neil has given his entertaining slideshow presentations to community groups, Probus clubs, W.I. meetings, U3A groups, care homes, schools, colleges, and other neighbourhood associations big-and-small.
With over 20 books written, Neil is not only a published ethical author but also a multi-time NaNoWriMo champion. He describes himself as a ‘hippy grandad!’’
His home is located in Surrey, England, by the River Thames but he's willing to travel in the South-East and Thames Valley and has given slideshow talks in Leicester, Birmingham, South Kent, and North Bedfordshire.
In his popular 'penniless writer series' he guides new writers in ways they can achieve their writing ambitions with minimal outlay.
After retiring from public service, Neil became an internationally recognized author/journalist in the music industry. He founded the ‘Rock Pen’ school to nurture aspiring music writers and has made valuable contributions to various esteemed publications, newsletters, and blogs.
During 2021, he curated an exhibition that was highly acclaimed and delivered a talk on the ‘Coronation Charts’, which marked the beginning of pop charts in British music history.
In 2024, he arranged a temporary exhibition focused on Led Zeppelin in 1969. He later conducted presentations on the same subject.
Neil makes regular appearances on TV and is a frequent guest on radio and podcasts.
Don’t miss Neil’s fascinating 45–60 minute illustrated talk exploring the question, “What is Fantasy Fiction?” In this entertaining talk, the author explores the “need” for fantasy creation in humans and explains the fundamental definitions of the genre. He delves into questions like: What makes up the key element of fantasy? What is fantasy fiction? What is liminality? What is a liminoid experience? What’s the difference between myth and fairytale? What is the definition of magical? What is the difference between high fantasy and low fantasy?
If you need him quickly the speaker is often available at short (less than a week) notice.
The author is aware of the financial constraints of small community groups and associations, so he offers his illustrated talks for free, but he'd appreciate a reasonable contribution towards his travel expenses.
Neil brings mementos, artifacts, and ephemera with him to aid in triggering audience memories. He also provides his own equipment.
+++++++++++++++++++++++ Links:
https://www.facebook.com/author.neilmach
https://www.neilmachauthor.com/
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Significant podcast episodes:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/josiane-fortin7/episodes/80-Where-Fantasy-Authors-Ought-to-Begin-e1igc4n/a-a2ks2ah
https://www.spreaker.com/user/tomreaoch/neil-mach-author-so-you-want-to-write-fa
TV appearances:
The Repossible Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fStjDjkV9M&t=114s&pp=ygUJbmVpbCBtYWNo
The Self Publishing Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMmaTR7SSZ0&t=16s&pp=ygUJbmVpbCBtYWNo
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Neil Mach
- What is Fantasy Fiction? - with English fantasy author Neil Mach
- Rocking Surrey: History of Suburban Rock and Roll with music journalist Neil Mach
- The Fiction of Romani Culture: Exploring the way Gypsy people are depicted in literature
- Reflecting on 1969: Britain Thrusts into the Space Age
- Victory in Surrey: Reflecting on V.E. year in the County, 1945
- How to get a book started: How to Write Your First Book with author Neil Mach
- Surrey Farmland Girls - Triumph on the Land: the story of the Women's Land Army
- Clickety click - life in ‘66: the year that Britain became the envy of the world
- Standpipes and Sex Pistols: Remembering the long hot summer of '76
- The penniless writer series: why you should start writing your book today.
- How we lived on the brink... Life in Britain during the Cold War 1957-1967
- The penniless writer series : how you can publish your book on a shoestring
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