Tee Morris

Writer, podcaster. and streamer

Steampunk

Sucker Punch: The Title Says It All

[WARNING: While this review does not contain spoilers, the Comments do. You have been warned. Now…read on…]

Director and Writer Zack Snyder can really make a beautiful movie. Snyder set his own style with films like 300 and Watchmen, but has also come under fire for making movies that lack depth or are very “comic book” in their almost balletic approach to graphic violence. When you consider his last two films were pulling from (wait for it!) graphic novels, it makes you want to bitch slap critics. Perhaps this is why critics (and perhaps, some moviegoers) have been overly critical of Snyder’s latest film, Sucker Punch.

On reading some of these reviews, though, I have to ask “Did you see the same film as I did?” I not only loved Sucker Punch, I am here to tell you that missing this on the big screen would be a crime. It is original. It is surprising. It is intelligent.

What is isn’t is what the critics are making it out to be: Geekboy Titillation.

Now there’s no denying it: Snyder covers all of the bases in this flick. Sucker Punch offers up zombies, steampunk, dragons,  WWII bombers, and katana swordfights. And yes, all of the gunfire and swordplay is happening with women who all just happen to be hot. [Read more…] about Sucker Punch: The Title Says It All

A Steamy Treat for Tuesday…

Hey, everyone!

Just in case you missed the big launch last week, Pip and I premiered Tales from the Archives,  a collection of short stories from the Victorian England of The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. With original theme music composed and created by Alex White, we are featuring original steampunk short stories from…

Last week, Pip kicked things off with “The Evil that Befell Samson” and this week we present the supernatural steampunk “Dust on the Davenport” by author O.M. Grey. [Read more…] about A Steamy Treat for Tuesday…

The Tough Choices (Part III: Great Expectations)

And this is it.

You’ve heard why new computer books, while bringing in a bit of the greenbacks, is no longer my thing as a writer; and you’ve finally got an idea of what I have been dealing with in a writing partnership that went so south, the relationship is in Antarctica right now. (Considering this next section, there a touch of irony for you.) You also know that Billi and the crew are taking a “big sleep” as well. It’s time for me to move forward.

Granted, when I was told this was the next step, I had no idea this was going to be such a giant leap.

This wild ride starts in May of last year…

The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences

2010 could be best summed up by Charles Dickins’ opening line from A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” While working through the worst of times, May ushered in the best of times with a two-book deal from Harper Voyager. What had started as a podcast-for-pay with Pip Ballantine became my big break, and my top priority.

The series is called The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, and we describe the series as a steampunk take on the BBC’s espionage romp The Avengers. Our first book, Phoenix Rising, will premiere this Spring with its follow-up, under the working title Of Cogs and Corsets, planned for a 2012 release. Since the contract was signed, we have been moving at a blistering pace between quick turnarounds on edits, cover art production, and development of the sequel. Add to all this mayhem unanticipated international sales to Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and (just this month) Russia, it’s no lie: Expectations are high, particularly with the book’s premiere scheduled at The Steampunk World’s Fair in New Jersey.

There is one reoccurring thought running through my mind during this whole period of time: Holy crap, this is really happening. [Read more…] about The Tough Choices (Part III: Great Expectations)

Come on, Baby, Cover Me!

Final Covert Art for Phoenix Rising
click image to view full size

We’ve been sitting on this cover art for months!

When Pip Ballantine and I first saw it, we were over the moon. Imagine the heartbreak when our editor, Diana Gill, told us “You can’t post this anywhere just yet.” To watch the evolution of this cover, from the earlier drafts to the final product, has been a real trip; and while this is my fifth novel, it feels like my first. [Read more…] about Come on, Baby, Cover Me!

GUEST BLOGPOST: Wherein the Tinker’s Art Is Discussed

I’m looking to return to my blogging habits because, dashitall, I do miss blogging so. As my last steampunk entry featuring the delicious Gail Carriger, was quite the scandal (and therefore, popular), I turned to another author stepping into realms of cog and gear for opinion and commentary. Gentle readers, I introduce to you to O.M. Grey, a lass quite shy when standing within range of the camera obscura. She also claims to be a complete novice when it comes to all things shiny and modern , but methinks the lady doth protest too much as we met on the quaint device known as Twitter. Ms. Grey pens paranormal romantic Steampunk, and her novel Avalon Revisited is about to be unveiled.

I am pleased to bring you Ms. Grey and her five favourite Sterampunk gadgets.

If her book is anything like this column, I believe Avalon Revisited has quite the run ahead of itself. Godspeed, Ms. Grey, and may your airships find strong tailwinds.



When podcast guru Tee Morris asked me to write a guest post for his blog, I was absolutely thrilled! Assigned topic: Five Favorite Gadgets in Steampunk

(Editor’s Note: For referring to me as a “guru” I have placed a warning by her name in the Great Book of the Uber-Nemesis. I do, however, understand this is Ms. Grey’s first novel. Therefore, let the mercy of the Uber-Nemesis befall upon her as a sweet Spring rain.)

My mind just reeled! With all the wonderful technologically bizarre Steampunk gadgets there were to choose from, it would be rather hard to pick just five! He said they could be either ones I use in my new book Avalon Revisited or from other works, so I’ll do a mixture of the two.

[Read more…] about GUEST BLOGPOST: Wherein the Tinker’s Art Is Discussed