Good morning, Gentle Reader, some tips for the writers amongst you today! How to research a Victorian setting for fiction authors – Steampunk, Historical Romance & Beyond In this post I offer tips for online, book, and other sources for researching a Victorian-set novel. Including tips you’ve not read elsewhere. 25+ Tips for Researching a […]
Aug62013
25+ Tips for Researching a Victorian Setting (Steampunk & beyond)
Aug172012
Dear Lord Akeldama: Women In Ties & Perfume
And now, on to our dear italic wielding lord! alastairs_piano asks: How might a person convince Countess Nadasdy to turn one into a vampire? More particularly, would she be more or less willing to try to turn a woman than a man? Can a woman be a member of another’s hive, or would such a […]
May112012
Dear Lord Akeldama: Lestat & Technology
Here’s our regularly scheduled fun and games with the Victorian world’s most fabulous vampire… Sassy Gay Octopus asks: Being blond, gay, and a vampire, you must surely know that comparisons will be drawn to Anne Rice’s Lestat. What is your opinion on this? (Mine is that you are way more fabulous & sexy, and I’d […]
Mar292012
Dear Lord Akeldama: A Hypothetical Situation
Yes, Gentle Reader, it is Dear Lord Akeldama time!!! In which Lord Akeldama is given a Scenario by the Troublesome Black Cat, Nicholas Lou . . . The Woolsey Hive’s latest scientific dastardly plot strikes… as a horde of zombified/mechanical/automation/simulacra [whatever] moths descends upon Lady Maccon, her husband, his Beta, Madame Lefoux, and Mrs. Tunstell […]
Mar72012
Dear Lord Akeldama: A Sudden Onset of Parental Obligations
Here he is! Rune Bartlett asks: How you feel about becoming the adoptive parent to Lady Alexia and Lord Maccon’s child? Do you feel up to the task? Of course, duckie, how difficult can it be? Lousie asks: I hope I am not being terribly rude, for this question comes from the heart. Are werewolf/vampire […]
Jan272012
Dear Lord Akeldama: Vampire Diaries
The Good Vampire answers all your most burning questions . . . paranoidsistah asks: My Dear Lord Akeldama, I was watching The Vampire Diaries last week and a certain taboo romance came to light. What say you on the topic of taboo romances? General my dear dishy one, like killing one’s sibling, they are taboo […]
Nov42011
Dear Lord Akeldama: Being a Vampire in the Digital Age
More from everyone’s favorite vampire advisor. nm_samantha asks: What advice would you give to a newly created vampire? Speak only when spoken to, introduce yourself properly before lunching, and consult your queen before leaving the house. Diego Bruner asks: How has the digital age changed your information gathering “hobby.” Ah, my little pixel, you never […]
Oct252011
Dear Lord Akeldama: Light Entertainment
The good vampire is in the house… Rebecca asks: Opera, play, or symphony? Play darling beccalite, whenever vampirically possible, but sometimes one must put in an appearance elsewhere. Operas are suited only to those who like opera girls, and in the symphony everyone sits, you can’t observe what they are wearing at all well. So […]
Sep282011
Dear Lord Akeldama: The Crystal Palace & Other Wonders
Vampire sparkle action here for you Gentle Reader! Did you, good sir, attend the first World’s Fair? If so, how did you find the architecture and ambiance of The Crystal Palace? And which was your favorite pavilion? My dearest darling sugarplum, Chicago is a tad far for one such as myself. But I did attend […]
Aug52011
Dear Lord Akeldama: Style Choices Throughout History
In which Lord Akeldama answers all your most pressing questions. The Secretary of Defense of Awesome asks: I am in a fashion crisis most dire! A dear friend of mine is getting married next month, and lovingly chose a steampunk theme. Two weeks ago her seamstress backed out of making the dress (She hadn’t even […]
May112011
Dear Lord Akeldama: A Royal Wedding & Female Drones
Normally Lord Akeldama answers the questions in the order he receives them, but he jumped this one up the cue for relevance’s sake. wolfgang20 asks: I would be most interested to know Lord Akeldama’s comments on yesterday’s dress. Does he prefer it to Diana’s wedding dress (I assume they were great pals)? I assume that […]
Apr272011
Dear Lord Akeldama: Concerning Vampires That Sparkle
Dear Lord Akeldama . . . Mary D asks: What is your considered opinion on the nature of *sparkling* vampires? Everyone should sparkle darling, not just vampires! I suggest diamonds are a good beginning or possibly sapphires. Then you can move into the arena of more strident colors such as emeralds and rubies. Really, my […]