Steampunk Granny Interviews Leonardo Ramirez of the Jupiter Chronicles

                                                              

I meet the nicest people through my connections with writing, book signings, Steampunk, and ghost investigations. Leonardo Ramirez is one of those nice people. I came to know Leonardo because of an interesting kickstarter he has going on. You’ll want to learn all about this kickstarter, but first a chat with the very talented author of the Jupiter Chronicles.

Marie Gilbert: Hi Leonardo. I’m happy to have you on my blog.

Leonardo Ramirez: Hi Marie! Good to hear from you. That is so very kind of you to want to support our campaign. The way to do it though, is to simply pledge through the website which you can find here: http://bit.ly/SteampunkKickstarter. Your interview and your posts certainly help so thank you!

Marie Gilbert: How did you get involved with Steampunk? I have my oldest grandchild, Allie Gilbert, to thank for introducing me to Dorian’s Parlor and the world of Steampunk.

Leonardo Ramirez: As far as what drew me into Steampunk? I would say its untapped nature. I don't care much for following the trends that everyone else marches to the beat of (right now, I think it's zombies) but instead prefer to fill a need or a gap that needs filling and start there. While there is quite a bit of Steampunk literature available for YA there is close to nothing for kids that don't want to read a 500 page book. I love CS Lewis and loved the Chronicles of Narnia series so I wanted to write something that closely fit that audience.

 

                                                                     

Marie Gilbert: Do you feel that children, (grade 3 and up) who are so entwined with video games, would understand a world where technology is powered by steam. I ask because I’m worried that we’ve lost that inventive spirit and spark of imagination that Steampunk offers. How has the feedback been from children, parents and teachers, especially, science teachers?

 

                                                                  

Leonardo Ramirez: It's not been an easy sell, surprisingly enough. You would think that the thought of a Steampunk Children's series being pitched into Steampunk online communities would be like throwing gas onto a fire. To the contrary, it’s been very difficult to get true Steampunkers behind it possibly because it's meant for kids. There are shows that I grew up on that I would still watch with my daughter even as an adult so I'm hoping to get the project noticed by the community even if it's meant for a younger audience. I, for one, haven't stopped watching animated shows!  

 

I do agree that kids are struggling to find their voice and the spark of creativity. Parents, teachers and kids, on the other hand, have been ecstatic about the series. This past weekend I attended Geek Media Expo where I was approached by a gentleman who runs a family-friendly geek convention for kids in Memphis and has asked us to come out as a guest. I had one Science teacher of special needs kids who bought the books for her class since they were written for reluctant readers. 

 

                                                                     

I've heard it said that Steampunk is on the decline but I vehemently disagree with that. I think that what it needs is a property like Star Wars or Star Trek for fans to rally around and draw more people to it. I'm hoping that The Jupiter Chronicles can be a vehicle for that. Despite the audience it was originally written for, the universe of The Jupiter Chronicles is vast. The moons of Jupiter are each a world of their own that revolves around Jupiter and each one has their own nature apart from the others. 

 

                                                                         

That is why I want to start an animated series. With an animation studio like Magnetic Dreams behind it we can make it top-notch and with our Kickstarter campaign we can make it happen. The cast is diverse and includes a disabled primary character who uses a prosthetic claw for a hand and two steam-powered rockets that come out of his feet for flight. 

                                                         

                              

I've been writing for a long time. My first published work was a graphic novel called, Haven that was published by Markosia Enterprises. It's the story of a descendant of Dante Alighieri who is tasked to battle the nine circles of hell much like her ancestors before her. The nine circles call themselves, The Aristocracy and are embedded in our society at every level. Because that story is vast as well I felt it was necessary to release a prose novel version of it which released in 2012 and called, Haven of Dante.

 

                                                                        

Marie Gilbert: How is the Kickstarter doing and have you reached your goal?

Leonardo Ramirez: If there is one thing I'd want to share with folks considering donating to The Jupiter Chronicles it is this. The untapped potential that this has is endless. Because of the way it's set up there are years of stories to tell. It's fun and fast-paced and kids love it. It's diverse and tackles the issues of growing up in a single-parent family in the angst that befalls it's main character, Ian. There's a lot of heart that goes into this. Not just from me but from my family so I'm very grateful for the interview and for helping spread the word.

Thanks!

                                                                  

Marie Gilbert: Thank you so much for being a guest on my blog and I’m sending in my check to the Kickstarter today. If you want your children to read good science fiction, then you can give to the Kickstarter and if you want to learn more about Leonardo Ramirez, check out the sites below.

Leonardo Ramirez, Author

 

Visit Science Fiction for the Human Condition at Leonardoverse.com.

Learn more about the Steampunk Children's Series at JupiterChronicles.com.

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4225466.Leonardo_Ramirez

 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/leonardoverse

 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jupiterchronicles

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Leonardo-Ramirez/e/B004TZGCD6/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

 

 

 

In the News

                                                         

I had met Rita Manno, reporter and also in charge of her own Public Relations Business, when she did a story on the South Jersey Writers' Group's first anthology Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey. She mentioned me in that article because she was interested in what made a grandmother of nine write about zombies.

                                                         

Over the past year, Rita discovered that I was also into Steampunk and that I was known to all my friends as Steampunk Granny at Dorian's Parlor: https://www.facebook.com/DoriansParlor


But what really interested her was  my ghost investigations under the guidance of the South Jersey Ghost Research/ Sanctuary Paranormal Team that worked out of the Ghost Hunter Store in Burlington New Jersey. You can learn more about Dave Juliano, Marti Haines and Jeanne Butler- Lee here: http://theghosthunterstore.com/about/

                                                            

Although my family has been experiencing paranormal events most of our lives; it's an inherited talent, I got involved with professional ghost hunting through friends Rita and Jean. We each have our own unique ways of sensing the spirit world. We took several classes with Dave's team and went on several investigations with them.

                                                             

This past year, my friends and I became friends with another ghost investigative team, Keystone Spirit Seekers. Check their site here: http://keyss.webs.com/  We went on a very productive investigation at the Selma Mansion this past year.

                                                           

Thanks to Rita Manno's interest in my book, Roof Oasis, which is the first in a apocalyptic series with a twist, I have been featured in the Burlington County Newspaper. Thank you, Rita Manno. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritamanno


Here is the article featuring me.

http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/life-style/local-feature/she-s-a-trained-ghost-investigator-a-writer-and-a/article_ac22af22-283f-55cf-af4e-0ecd753f4e93.html


The phone has not stopped ringing with friends and family calling to congratulate me about my book and my being in the newspaper. I'm still in shock. I work very hard at writing, sometimes spending many hours interviewing people, writing recaps for television shows, movies and books and just trying to keep up with my blog and completing  book two of Roof Oasis called Saving Solanda.

                                                          

I have met the most talented people and made many life long friends because of my writing. I love what I do, but I don't travel this road alone. We never do. I have a support system with my family, friends, and fellow writers that keeps me going even when I think I can't write another word. My poor husband, Dan, has been anointed the job of agent, video, audio and tech person along with the job of chauffeur. Thank you, honey.

So the reason for this post is to thank everyone who has helped me reach where I am now and where I'm going in the future. You know who you are. Love you all.

Marie Gilbert aka Steampunk Granny

Big Event For Steampunk Lovers!!!!

                                                           

 

 

 

Hello my lovely little zombie snacks!! Guess What?

 

It's time for you ladies to dust off your hoop skirts and parasols, and for you gentlemen to get your outfits pressed. Our fearless leader, Gil Cnaan has big news!!

 

                                                         

 

Dorian's Parlor is back and we're ready to show the world what Steampunk is all about. Steampunk Granny is going to be there and I'm hoping to see all my friends...no excuses... remember I have pet zombies.

 

Save the date: Saturday, September 20th

 

Ladies, Gentlemen, and all others... Storykeeper Events is pleased to announce The Return of Dorian's Parlor! Philadelphia's premiere creatively formal event makes its grand return on Saturday, September 20th, 2014, at the William Way Center at 1315 Spruce St. (right around the corner from our old home at the Philadelphia Doubletree Hotel)! The doors will open to the public at 8pm! And now, thanks to our new home, we are happy to announce that we are an (almost) all-ages event! Anyone age 18 or older may now attend and enjoy our unique event!

As always, Dorian's Parlor will offer the finest in musical entertainment, featuring not just one, but TWO wonderful performers! First, we will have perennial Dorian's Parlor favorite ELI AUGUST & THE ABANDONED BUILDINGS (http://www.eliaugust.com/) joining us! And, also, making her Dorian's Parlor premiere, we will be joined by the lovely and talented PATRICIA WAKE (http://patriciawake.bandcamp.com/) ! We are also happy to welcome back our own house musician, THE WANDERING CELLIST (http://cellomike.com/)! And, of course, you will all be able to dance the night away to the eclectic mix of music provided by our very own friends from COGHEAD (http://cogheadmusic.com/) !

Tickets are available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-return-of-dorians-parlor-tickets-12641730757. They are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.


Dorian’s Parlor is a sensuous spectacle of vintage glamour shining in the heart of Philadelphia. This event is a haven for artists, bohemians, socialites and neo-vintage lovers of all stripes and inclinations. Our new home at the WIlliam Way Center offers a grand ballroom, a large lobby area for socializing, and additional rooms for vendors and curiousities.

Dorian’s Parlor will showcase the best in night life and artistic entertainment. In addition to inspired DJs, Dorian's Parlor will feature live performances by bands, dancers and countless other talented artists. Be ready to see gorgeous models draped in the finest garments of some of the foremost neo-vintage designers during the fashion shows. And like an exotic bazaar, Dorian’s Parlor will host vendors and craftspeople eager to sell their finest wares to the revelrous crowd.

Food and beverage refreshment will be available for purchase, courtesy of Cafe Fulya (http://www.cafefulya.com/). Please note that the William Way Center does not serve alcohol, nor may alcohol be brought onto the premises.

The door to the parlor is open. Won’t you come in and stay a while?

My Interview with Intertainment Hub

                                                                      

I'm so excited. My friends at Intertainment Hub interviewed me on their show and we had fun talking about my apocalypse book, Roof Oasis, ghost hunting, zombies and Steampunk. I was even invited to play a game with the two fabulous hosts. They were so friendly that I wasn't nervous at all. If you get a chance, go to their site on Twitter https://twitter.com/IntertainHub  Follow them on Facebook too. https://www.facebook.com/IntertainmentHub


Thank you Scarlett and Nathan from Intertainment Hub. You rock!!

New Beginnings for a New Year

                                                                  

My Mom passed away on this very day, last year. I attended her funeral out west with my sister Jane and then brought back Mom's ashes to New Jersey so that my family here could say goodbye.

                                                                     

Although she and my father (who passed away several years ago) occasionally visit (haunt) my house, I still miss them. They are the Fred & Lucy of my weekly episodes. I think they are hanging around to keep us safe. I told them to keep an eye on Jimmy, my grandson who is now in boot camp at Parris Island.
                                                                         

I was picked as one of the contestants for Best Blogger of 2014 and was one of the three finalist. I didn't win this year, but my worthy challenger did. Thank you everyone who voted for me. Go to Twitter and congratulate https://twitter.com/ScarlettFlame2 for winning best Blogger of the year.
                                                                     

I'm not making any New Year's Resolutions! I never keep them, anyway. My yearly resolution that I do keep is to "Love life and love all GOD's creatures, even the ones who are a major pain in the butt" "Go with the flow"  "Live and let live"  "Live life to the fullest" "Do no harm"

                                                                  

                                                                

I'm planning on building up, or teaming up with another Ghost Investigative Group. I'm planning on having someone build me a better website for my posts. But...most of all...I'm planning on heading into more adventures.
                                                                       

So to all my Facebook, Google+ and Twitter family and friends, I'm wishing you a year of good health (mentally & physically), good fortune, love and happiness. Love you all

                                                                      

The Gilded Festival

                                                                   

Hey, my little zombie snacks. Check out this site. My friends at Dorian's Parlor are pulling together one hell of a great Steampunk Event. You don't want to miss this!!!!!

Greetings Ladies and Gents! We have been busily working our way into preparing for the first ever Gilded Festival, and as a result it is with great pleasure that we announce the first round of Programming Listings! There you shall find a great many a thing, including child-friendly panels, contests, how-to, and special events! Please go here to take a peek at all the glorious things we have in store for you!
And speaking of special events, we are especially excited to announce two special events… within the grand event that is The Gilded Fest!


We are happy to announce that The Gilded Festival is now rolling out Performer and Guest announcements! We already have a grand lineup;
Performers…
Voltaire
Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer
CogHead
Divine Hand Ensemble
Psyche Corporation
Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys
Guests…
Adam Smith a.k.a. Phineas Phlensing, Esq.
Countessa Lenora
Steampunk Boba Fett (John F. Strangeway)
Triell Freschi
…and we will be adding even more as we get closer to the big event!
We are equally happy to remind you that tickets for The Gilded Festival are on sale now! There are various choices, including children and family tickets, so please be sure to look over the options before you buy. You have until September 15th, 2013 to take advantage of the low ticket prices. After that date, ticket pricing goes up. You can visit our TicketLeap page to get your tickets now.


Hotel Rooms Also, hotel room reservations for The Gilded Festival are still available! But be sure to book your room sooner than later, as we highly anticipate our entire block to fill up quickly! Hotel room prices start at $89.00 (USD/per night). You can visit our DoubleTree Hotel registration site to make your reservation now. Alternatively, you may also call the hotel to reserve your room. If so please be sure to tell them your are booking for the Gilded Festival, and the reservation code is SKE.

Under Glass, A Victorian Obsession

                                                                  

Calling all lovers of science! The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is hosting a free event featuring Author John Whitenight on Tuesday, October 8th at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Academy of Natural Sciences on 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

 

                                                                      

 

 

 

Spend an evening at The Academy of Natural Sciences with author John Whitenight as he explores the role that natural history played in the everyday lives of people from the 19th Century. During that era an obsession developed with the natural world which has never been surpassed. Mr. Whitenight will be sharing images and information from his book, Under Glass, A Victorian Obsession, which is a comprehensive study of the incredible array of objects that were created and presented under glass. Included will be botanical arrangements made from wax and sea shells as well as domes and cases filled with beautiful birds of every description. The focus will be on how the Victorians not only embraced natural history but included it in their home décor.

 

                                                                          

 

John Whitenight was born over 50 years ago in a small upstate Pennsylvania town. By the time he was five years old he had developed an avid interest in art. This continued into his teenage years when he decided he would explore this talent further and ultimately share it with others by pursuing an Art Education degree. Upon graduation he began his art teaching career in a senior high school where he remained for the next 30 years eventually becoming the chairperson of the department. During this period he also acquired a Masters equivalence in decorative arts-related studies in Philadelphia where he now resides.

                                                                          

Always a collector of Victoriana, one fateful day in 1973 friends gave him a small glass dome containing three canaries. The following decades have been rich with the study of the why and wherefore of these lovely domed items. Currently, the author’s collection contains over 175 domed displays ranging in height from four inches to some over a meter in height.

http://www.ansp.org/Visit/Events/Details/?eid=3610&iid=12123


I'm sending a shout out to all my Steampunk friends; this is a lecture that would interest you. To all my Facebook, Twitter and Google friends, check out the Academy of Natural Sciences' site for the listing of all their family friendly events. Tell them Steampunk Granny sent you.

Steampunk's Awesome "The Gilded Festival" in November

                                                                  

Okay, my little Steampunk aficionados, I have some big news. No! The zombie apocalypse did not begin. Don't worry, I have my katana ready. This news is about the big festival coming up at the end of November. The brains behind this big event is our ever talented Gil Cnaan. He's responsible for Dorian's Parlor, and the very popular Steampunk events held in Philadelphia. I had the chance to interview Gil about "The Gilded Festival" and I'm excited to share the big news with you.
                                                                        

You all know how much I love Steampunk and in fact I posted about the last Dorian's Event on Biff Bam Pop! But this is really big news and I'm so excited.


                                                                     

                                                                                                                             


Now, my lovelies, let me introduce you to the one and only Gil Cnaan, Mr. Steampunk, himself!


What is “The Gilded Festival? Where? When?

The Gilded Festival is what happens when the staff at Dorian's Parlor say "We love doing this event, and wish it would never end!  We also wish that we could be open to a broader variety of ages, and have more performers, and more vendors, and more food, and more of everything!"  It will occur on Thanksgiving weekend, Friday November 29-Sunday December 1, at the Doubletree of Valley Forge/King of Prussia.  

 

What performers and venders can we expect to see at the Gilded Festival?

The list of performers and vendors is constantly being updated, but our preliminary performers include:

Voltaire

Mr. B. The Gentleman Rhymer

Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys

The Divine Hand Ensemble

Coghead (DJs Kiltboy, Dave Ghoul, and Cub)

Psyche Corporation

Steampunk Boba Fett

Phineas Phlensing, Esq.

Countess Lenora

and many more.

In addition, we are looking at the potential of having multiple fashion shows, as well as an interactive panel about the historical fashions that influenced modern Steampunk styles, as well as a variety of other interactive experiences.  There will also be clockwork egg hunts, as well as a whole track of family oriented programming that is currently being worked on by the director of programming while this interview is happening. 

We will also have two catered events that we are very excited about.  The first of which will be a kickoff dinner, The Orphan's Dinner, which will be a Thanksgiving style meal for those who are around Friday afternoon.  On Saturday, we plan on serving a high tea.  We are currently negotiating menus and prices with the hotel, and hope to announce those soon.

What inspired you to create this event?

I've always enjoyed doing weekend events, and felt that waiting a full year for Steampunk World's Fair to come back again was just unbearable, so I thought it might be nice to have something 6 months away, so that there's always a big event to look forward to.


What will the visitors see when they arrive?   

Hopefully they'll see a bustling group of people going to various exciting shows (2 stages, an interactive room, and various wandering performances), patronizing exciting vendors (3 vendor rooms are currently planned for), socializing with each other, and having delicious food and drink.

Will this be something that you'll be doing each year?

If this goes well, not only am I planning to continue this as an annual tradition, but there are several other weekend events I am looking at launching.  So if people want to see more great weekend events in the greater Philadelphia area, get tickets, and get them soon.  The sooner I sell enough tickets, the sooner I can start programming more events.

Gil, I want to thank you for not only updating all the people involved in the intriguing world of Steampunk, but also, for people who want to learn what Steampunk is all about.

You can keep updated on the latest news of the Gilded Festival at this site: http://gildedfestival.com/



Purchase your tickets now at this site:
    http://doriansparlor.ticketleap.com/gilded-festival/t/GildedFestival/

The Sisters do Steampunk at Dorian's Parlor

                                       Here I am with Gil Cnaan, the mastermind behind Dorian's

 

Yes, my little zombie snacks, when I’m not writing horror stories or ghost hunting, I’m Steampunking. Gil Cnaan did it again! He and his staff pulled together one hell of a grand Steampunk Event on Saturday, July 20^th. Dorian’s Parlor was a flurry of activity as the guests began to arrive.

                                                                    

                                                                    Jane  and Steampunk Granny

                                                                                   

                                                  Marianne, Jane, Me and Patti

My sister Jane had her first encounter with Steampunk and absolutely loved it. I wrote an article about the event on Biff Bam Pop! Check out the site and the other writers on this Pop Culture website.

                                                                     

Marianne Bascelli: a writer; health wellness coach, and a very good friend from my days at the Academy of Natural Sciences, attended the event for the first time. She looks stunning. Here is her site: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marianne-Bascelli-CHHC-The-Art-of-Holistic-Wellness/264930523544897

                                                                      

                                                       Patti and Steampunk Granny

Patti O’Brien: member of the South Jersey Writers Group, Editor, writer, and a very good friend was also a novice of Steampunk, but I think she’ll be attending other events. Here is her site:

http://pattiobrien.wordpress.com/

It was a grand night and I wanted to mention a few people who made the night special.

                                                                             

                                      Hugh Casey: http://www.hughcaseyphoto.com/

                                                                                   

                                                    Jessie Orsini: www.ocelotonaleash.com

                                                                              

                                                    

                          Mano Divina:   www.Divinehand.com  http://divinehand.net/

                                                                                

Jessie who modeled an outfit from Utopia Armoury:  www.UtopiaArmoury.etsy.com

                                                                             

                                                                            Lee and Ralph

Here are my friends from Steampunk Works: www.steampunkworks.com  Make sure you check out their site. They have fabulous clothing and antiques. I also promised a young lady who was a model in a fashion show for Steampunk works that I would promote a few events for her. Here goes:

Pump It Up on July 24^th at the Barbary. www.mikesaga.com

Safari Themed Event on August 23^rd at the Starlight Ballroom www.mikesaga.com

                                                                              

Makeup Artist Triell Freschi, it is always a pleasure to see you: www.triellfreschi.com

                                                                         

The Fashion show was presented by Nikki Cohen, owner and designer for May Faire Moon Corsets & Costumes: www.mayfairemoon.com  The dresses were stunning.

                                 

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The Acts

Gil Cnaan always schedules enough diverse entertainment to keep everyone happy. There was a special presentation of Georges Melies Voyage to the Moon with accompaniment by DJ Kiltboy.

When Hugh Casey introduced the movie, all chatter ceased and everyone settled down to watch it. What a treat. If you have a moment, learn about the amazing Melies.

                                                                    

There were jugglers, a classy striptease with a hula hoop; I kid you not. We were treated to several great musical groups: Psych Corporation, The Cog is Dead,

                                            Frenchy and the Punk (my favorite act),

                                                                   

                        This Way to Egress, was awesome and we all danced the night away.

                                                                         

In November, there will be a special Steampunk Event called The Gilded Festival and as soon as I get more information, I will be sharing it with all of you.
https://www.facebook.com/events/376351109141064/ 

Well, my little zombie snacks, it's sad to say that I have to pack away my outfits until the next Dorian's event. But that's okay for now because I'm busy taking classes in ghost hunting 101 in order to join a professional ghost hunting investigative team. Wish me luck.