Questions and Answers
What is Mythania?
Mythania lies far beyond the world we know, a planet orbiting the golden star Solaron along with her dark sister world, Atracus, locked in an eternal celestial dance. This is a world where juggernaut war machines ravage the landscape; where stupendous air fleets dominate the skies; where mighty wizards battle enchanted automatons; and the march of progress is moved as much by gears of iron as it is by the weave of spells. Empires have come and gone through the ages, rich in both science as well as magic. From darkness to renaissance, from wars of tyranny to eras of peace and prosperity, kingdoms have risen and nations have fallen like the cycle of the endless seasons.
Yet now, at the Turning of Ages, a new menace has cast its shadow across the world. Sinister forces threaten to rekindle the ancient war that nearly destroyed the Two Worlds a thousand years before. From beyond all the known lands; from beyond the seas and the skies, the Enemy comes not from any kingdom or nation on earth, but from above... And from so very far away.
The world of Mythania has an 8,000-year recorded history; and the adventures and stories are set in various time periods throughout its history. Some stories are set in the past, and many of these are the more typical fantasy, being set in a Medieval-type world with magic and epic adventures. Other stories, set in the distant age known as the Age of Marada and can best be described as "science-fantasy", being that Marada was even more technologically advanced than the modern age of Mythania. The Age of Marada ended in its cataclysmic destruction 1000 years ago, and only now, in Mythania's "Age of Progress", has technology begun to match that of ancient Marada.
The majority of stories are set in what is called the "Age of Progress", which is essentially the present-day period of Mythania (1000 to 1040 of the Common Age on the Mythanian calendar). The "Age of Progress" is marked by rapid developments of advanced steam-age technology and magical devices, such as steam automatons, flying machines, airships, aetheric engines, and so forth. In the late 1030s leading up to the year 1040, the vast empire of the Grand Imperium (also known as the Dark Kingdoms) initiates a terrible war of conquest against the free nations of southern Tarrona. So begins the War of Wars.
What is the history of Mythania?
For a comprehensive history of the World of Mythania, see the History of Mythania articles.
No, I mean the background of Mythania's development.
Of course. Development of Mythania began in 1998, when the idea was first conceived. Originally planned to be a 3-book novel series, it quickly became clear that a mere 3 novels would not be sufficient to convey the breadth and scope of the Mythania Universe. By 2000, I had decided to write not 3 books, but 6, as well as comprehensive information on the universe itself (a "Mythania Worldbook"). In 2003 I began to write short stories as well.
Unfortunately, in today's publishing environment, it is virtually impossible for an unknown author such as myself to actually get published. To that end, I decided in 2005 to release some information on the Internet. That original web site became inactive for a time and I later took it down. However, beginning mid-2006 I began redeveloping the web site to publish the Mythania stories online.
What is "steam fantasy" and "steampunk"?
Generally speaking, Steampunk is a sub-genre of speculative fiction that is set in the Victorian period of the late 19th century or a "Victorian-like period" where steam power is the dominant driving force of the world (instead of gasoline or other 20th century developments). The civilization may even be highly advanced with spacecraft, ray-guns, and clockwork super-computers. The writings of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells serve as the primary source of inspiration for Steampunk stories, but so do many Victorian-period inventors such as Charles Babbage and Nikola Tesla. Steampunk may also incorporate elements of fantasy as well, but it is predominately set in the Victorian-period of Earth with little if any magic or magical beings (although the stories may have fantastical "magic-like" steam-powered machines).
The "punk" in "Steampunk" is derived from the name of its parent genre, Cyberpunk. Why is Cyberpunk the parent genre of Steampunk? Primarily because many of the more famous "Steampunk" authors were Cyberpunk authors in the 80s and 90s (Gibson, Sterling, Neal Stephenson). Steampunk also incorporates many of the same themes, atmosphere, and attitudes about technology that Cyberpunk does. True Steam-"punk" is typified by a rebellious attitude, and is centered around misfits and anti-heroes. Basically, "Steampunk" is a Cyberpunk story that replaces computers and cybernetics with mechanical computers and steam-powered devices.
"Steam fantasy", on the other hand, is a fantasy world with steam-age elements. "Steam fantasy" may not even be set on Earth at all, but in an entirely unique fantasy world, such as Mythania. In this setting, many of the traditional fantasy elements may exist, such as wizards, dragons, magical races, and so forth, with the additional introduction of firearms, steam engines, flying machines, and mechanized war machines. "Steam fantasy" may also blend magical enchantments with steam-powered devices, adding a whole new dimension to the development of technological wonders. "Steam fantasy" may not necessarily be "punkish", and technology may either be shown to be a positive influence on society or the source of endless terror and conflict, or both.
Where can I read the stories?
You can read the stories online here. Currently, I only have a few stories posted on this website. Most of the stories are set in the modern period of Mythania, taking place either during the War of Wars, or the "Age of Progress" before the War of Wars. They are a mix of steam fantasy and steam age adventure stories.
Why Are There Not More Stories?
I am currently pursuing the publication of the majority of my short stories with major magazines (both print and electronic). To be accepted, those stories cannot publicly appear anywhere, and that includes online. If accepted, I will post information on where the stories are published.
Is there a novel?
The War of Wars, as it comes to be called, is the central conflict about which most stories set in Mythania revolve. While the short stories highlight some "snapshots" and "vignettes" from the War of Wars, it is the novel series that chronicles the conflict and follows the lives of the leaders, champions, and tyrants of the War. The Mythania Novel series originally began as a "steam fantasy" novel in 1998, which, in outlining, expanded to a three-book and then a five book series. The books have been in development for nearly ten years, and with numerous changes, revisions, and rewrites, still has a considerable way to go.
Unfortunately, I have not had great luck in getting the books published through any of the major publishing houses, so a few years back I decided to post a few short stories for free on the Internet. That idea later grew into creating a full-blown web site detailing the history, technology, and people of Mythania. However, there are no plans at this time to post the novels online. I still have hopes that they can (and will) one day be published.
Do you own the Trademark on "Mythania"?
I do, in fact, own the Registered Trademark on Mythania® through the US Patent and Trademark office, and have (unfortunately) been forced to exercise my ownership of the trademark when I see someone else trying to use that name or title. If you have questions concerning this, please contact me. I can provide you with additional information.
How can I contact you?
Right here on this website! Just send me a "telegram".