Steampunk adventures and espionage with Her Majesty's Agents
Verity Fitzroy and The Mystery of Emerald Flame
We’re very excited to continue the story of the Ministry Seven, as they unravel ancient mysteries, and run into a few familiar characters. Out now on ebook exclusive to Amazon and Kindle Unlimited, we hope you enjoy the second book of Verity Fitzroy and the
Report from Motor City Steam Con 2017
Our journalists have just returned from their third sojourn to Detroit, Michigan—just like our intrepid agents Eliza D Braun and Wellington Thornhill Books. Though they did leave a great deal less destruction in their wake. Their first visit was to the now defunct Up in
COVER REVEAL- Operation: Endgame
So here it is…the cover of the ‘final’ adventure of Eliza and Wellington coming in October. Join Agents Books and Braun on their final adventure with the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences! Â There is no time to rest for Eliza D Braun and Wellington Thornhill Books.
New Anthology: Clockwork Cairo
Diversity is steampunk is one of our main goals. We have worked to offer a place for voices from around the world, to dive into our world. So it was wonderful to be approached to be part of this anthology but the editor Mathew Bright.
All the Hues
The Kickstarter of 2015 was a rousing success, and the Ministry raised enough money to do two books. However we also made enough to reach our somewhat ridiculous goal of funding Countless Hues of Crimson. If you remember Dawn’s Early Light, this is the book
Tales from the Archives: A 2016 Christmas Special
A Very Happy Christmas from the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday
A Tale of Two Events
Our authors are rolling towards the end of their events this year. Only one more remains—Philcon in November. October has been a busy month, but in a wonderful way. First our journalists went to Strasburg, Pennsylvania to attend Steampunk Unlimited. This is the fourth year
Verity Fitzroy and Her Adventures
September 30th, the ebook of The Curse of the Silver Pharaoh will arrive, and with it the first novel of Verity Fitzroy and the Ministry Seven. Shortly after it will be in print and audiobook versions. Right now, her previous adventures in short story form are
COVER REVEAL – Countless Hues of Crimson
So it has come to this point in the Ministry adventures. The cover reveal for the story our journalists never expected to write. However, their Kickstarter backers pushed them up to the level where they said they would write it, so they’re going to have fun with it, by Jove. If you
Motor City and the Ministry
Back in 2013 Tee and Pip attended Up in the Aether, a steampunk convention in Detroit, Michigan. They fell so much in love with the city and the people, that Detroit ended up in their book, Dawn’s Early Light. So when they were invited back
COVER REVEAL- The Curse of the Silver Pharaoh
So this is a new adventure for the Ministry, and now we have a new cover as well. Designed by Starla has once again done a wonderful job for us, and we hope you’ll take a moment to pre-order The Curse of the Silver Pharaoh
Ghostly Reviews
The Ghost Rebellion is out there in all its formats, and we are starting to get reviews in. From My Words…in words and pages. I want to add, I love that we have a couple that still function and interact as individuals paired together. They
Those little scamps
So now the Ghost Rebellion is out in the wild, and we’re very excited to see how many people are enjoying it, but our journalists are not resting on their laurels. Right now they are hard at work on Operation: Endgame the final book for
The Rebellion is here
Finally, the fifth book of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences is available. The book that our readers and listeners helped us bring to life. From authors Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris, the award winning steampunk series continues… The chase is on! After rescuing Queen Victoria
The Ghost Rebellion cover spread
A few months ago we revealed the beauty of the cover for The Ghost Rebellion by Starla Huchton, but really that is only half the story. Today we can share with you the full beauty of the cover art, which is revealed in the print
Verena and Eliza
When Verena Vorsatz visited to pose for our covers, Michael Ward of Go ForWard Photography also took some candid shots. The first one is powerful, and really does capture the spirit of Eliza D Braun The second…well let’s just say character and author have a
Cover Reveal- The Ghost Rebellion
So here we are, with the first of the fruits of the Kickstarter we funded last year. Backers will be getting their copies in May, but the book will be available to the general public on June 8th. What’s more, you can pre-order the ebook
Book Cover Shoot – an author report
Our journalist, Pip Ballantine takes over the blog today, to share the experience of a book cover photoshoot made possible by our readers and listeners. So after our hugely successful Kickstarter campaign to fund The Ghost Rebellion, we were excited to be ordering up our
The Ministry and the Pineapple
If you are not aware…pineapples play a big part in Countless Hues of Crimson (available for sale in December) Yes, Kickstarter backers helped fund the Victorian erotica mentioned in the beginning of The Diamond Conspiracy…and as a symbol for this our journalists in their wisdom
Tally Ho! A New Year with the Ministry
Well last year was a gallop for us here at the Ministry. We launched book four from our journalists, Tee Morris and Pip Ballantine, The Diamond Conspiracy. We picked up best steampunk from the RT Convention in Dallas for Dawn’s Early Light. We started and
The Ministry’s Fifth Book
We know since the arrival of book four, our readers and listeners have been anxious for news on the next. However, we have been reluctant to talk about it, since so much was up in the air. You see, we always considered the adventures of
Happy Birthday, Verena Vorstaz!
Oh I say! Today, the Ministry celebrates a very special birthday! Verena Vorstaz (also known as V for Cosplay) surprised our journalists with a series of photographs and moving picture clips of an uncanny Eliza D Braun cosplay. Verena is a talented cosplayer, runway model,
Aether Feature – V’s Eliza cosplay
These features as a way for the Ministry to highlight artists, musicians, writers, and makers of all variety. With so many talented individuals to choose from, we know it is a challenge to feature every clever creative worthy of note, but perhaps we might endeavour
Tales from the Archives, Volume IV — One
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Dawn’s Early Light Wins
Yesterday it the winners of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards were announced, and we here at the Ministry are delighted that the winner of the steampunk category is the third book in the Ministry series, Dawn’s Early Light. You remember Dawn’s Early Light, don’t you?
Steampunk Book Trailer The Diamond Conspiracy: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel
After an extremely cold night in Virginia’s capital city and weeks of production, Imagine That! Studios and Ace Books present the official book trailer for The Diamond Conspiracy, the fourth volume in The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series from Ace Books, written by Pip Ballantine &
The 2014 RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards
The Ministry is pleased as punch to be nominated in the 2014 RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards nominees. We’re nominated in the best steampunk category along with some other wonderful books and authors. Congratulations to Delilah D Dawson, Karina Cooper, Lynn Viehl and Meljean Brook as
Remembering the Fallen, Welcoming Others Home
Our brothers and sisters of investigating the strange and unusual, the Office of the Supernatural and Metaphysical, are celebrating Veteran’s Day today in the Americas, and we tip our bowlers and bonnets to them all. Today, across the Empire, we pay different honours. We remember
Report on S4: Steampunk Saturday at Shaharazade’s in Shepherdstown
Back on September 13th, the Ministry had the joy of hosting a steampunk tea at Shaharazade’s Restaurant & Tea Room in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Our journalists Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris were joined by Tiffany Trent, author of the Unnaturalists, and one of the authors
COVER REVEAL- The Diamond Conspiracy
Apparently it has been leaked onto the Aetherwebs, and we here at the Ministry have admitted defeat…but in a good way. The cover for the Diamond Conspiracy is here for all to see! Miss Braun is once again wearing trouser and Mr Books is…what is
Happy Birthday, David Warner!
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences wishes David Warner the happiest of birthdays! This fine British actor is multi-faceted, to say the least. From crime dramas such as Midsommer Murders and Wallander, to science fiction classics like Tron, Time Bandits, Doctor Who, and various Star Trek properties,
Happy Birthday, Nikola Tesla!
Our favourite mad science consultant for the Ministry, Nikola Tesla, celebrates a birthday today. We came across this picture in the Archives, circa 1894-95, where we see Nikola on his travels across America, enjoying a relaxing afternoon on the beach. Wait. Hold on a
Ministry Protocol Wins!
Another piece of wonderful news from the Ministry, our anthology Ministry Protocol has won the Steampunk Chronicle Readers Choice, Best Fiction 2014. If you want to watch the award ceremony, then you absolutely can! Thanks to all our wonderful authors that helped make this project
Fan Appreciation – Portraits
Catching up with all the lovely readers and listeners as we approach the release day for the third Ministry novel, Dawn’s Early Light, has been heartwarming. The number of people who have told us how excited they are to have new tales of Eliza and
Fan appreciation – Hypersteam
Today we are posting an image made by G A Jack Hammerquist. Our journalists met Mr Hammerquist (Alan Smith) at Octopodicon, prompting us to initiate our search of the archives for this lovely line drawing of a hypersteam train he had sent us some time
First Review – Dawn’s Early Light
The waiting is always the hardest. It is now less than a month until the arrival of Book Three of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series. Dawn’s Early Light will be touching down on the 25th of March. We are all on pins and needles
Reader Guide
Happy New Year! One of our fine readers asked, and we thought it was a fine idea—so here is our very own reading guide for all the fiction currently in the Ministry files. You will find all the Tales from the Archives, Ministry Protocol stories,
Reading Guide
Happy New Year! One of our fine readers asked, and we thought it was a good idea—a reading guide for the Ministry stories. This pdf lists chronologically by year the stories are set. You will find all of the Ministry Protocol, Tales from the Archives,
Ministry Protocol COVER REVEAL
After a whirlwind Kickstarter, we are finally ready to reveal what we’ve been hanging onto for over a month…the cover of the new anthology set in the world of the Ministry! Here’s the official Ministry release… The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novels are a multi-award
Cover reveal— Dawn’s Early Light
Covers are curious creations. Writers write, and then send their stories into publishing companies. They are the ones that arrange the covers, and it is always a nerve wracking event. When they arrive, authors hold their breath. Ace Books has, as the Americans would say,
The Ministry Initiative
It has been a long time planning, but it is finally here. In conjunction with Galileo Games, and using the talents of some truly incredible professionals, our Ministry Kickstarter is off and running. In the next month we need to raise $20,000 so that we
Steampunk Chronicle Reader’s Choice Award
The winners were announced, and the Ministry was absolutely chuffed to find out that the Janus Affair has won the fiction category! It was an honour to be in company of such people as John C White, Ben Hamby, and Major Jack Union. Other
BioShock Infinite: A Steampunk’s Perspective
We are pleased at the Ministry to invite one of our journalists to discuss about a new æthergame which is all the rage currently, so with any further fanfare, please indulge Tee Morris as he gives his own personal account of BioShock Infinite. To use
Steampunk Style
This is what happens when steampunks decide to make a music video. Look out for the Ministry novels at 2:15 with our journalists behind them… We have reports they had a wonderful time with so many talented folk, and Mr Morris was able to revisit
Happy Birthday, Jules Verne!
Today marks the birthday of imaginative mind and part-time consultant for the Ministry, author Jules Verne. Yes, I am sure, good citizens, you find Verne’s works reflecting the Empire and Her Majesty (God save the Queen!) in a rather nasty light; but I do wonder
Steampunk Romance Gears Up For Action
Victorian-era people were fascinated by technology and engineering. Hence, writers and artists channeled that fascination into what has come to be known as Edisonade style stories. Those tales were generally about inventors and their fantastical devices and had a reputation for strong action-adventure elements and
Finalists!
Once again you did it, fine supporters of the Ministry. The Janus Affair, our second book, has made it to the finals of the Goodreads.com Best Science Fiction of 2012. To be in the company of the other 9 finalists is quite the honour, but
Wherein Our Intrepid Journalists Make New Friends Overseas: The Books & Braun Germany Premiere
As we reported from the Ministry ætherblog, Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel (released under the title, Books & Braun: The Sign of the Phoenix) has been released in Germany. Breaking barriers of language, distance, and improper references, our intrepid journalists Pip Ballantine
Thoughts of Germany
The German edition of Phoenix Rising (called the Sign of the Phoenix) has made it to the bookstores. Our good friend in Austria Katharina Maimer sent us evidence that they got there. It is very exciting for all of us here at the Ministry. The
A Taste of Janus
We’re delighted to announce that the first 68 pages of the Janus Affair is now freely available. Please pop on over to the HarperCollins site and have a sample. Our journalists have reported having a wonderful time at Book Expo America, and gave away many
A Steampunk Book Trailer from Imagine That! / Baldgroove / Brute Force Studios
Currently on TeeMorris.com, our journalist is busy revealing a behind-the-scenes look at his project within a project. As many of you know, our intrepid journalist collaborated with Baldgroove studios in the previous year to produce a right bit of fun — the Phoenix Rising book
What Is Steampunk? A Definitive Answer from the Ministry
Agents of the Ministry, as you may have discerned from the chatter within the Aether, there has been spirited discussion bandying about on what exactly constitutes steampunk. We have our own definition, of course, but even that has been brought into question. Perhaps it is
Happy Birthday, Lady Victoria!
Dearest Victoria, On behalf of Agent Braun and myself, happy 18th birthday from the Archives… …and many happy returns from the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. Do enjoy our adventure… …again.
Some Librarian Love
It is always nice to get appreciative comments on the Ministry’s work, but when Wellington ran across this mention he had to have a sit down an a cuppa. You see, there are three pillars in our dear archivist’s world; the British Library (you can
Tales from the Archives – Twelve
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Tales from the Archives — A 2011 Christmas Special
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
The Kaiser Calls: A Look at Phoenix Rising’s German Cover
Good Heavens! As if it is not enough that our illustrious publishers at Harper Voyager have decided to offer our award-winning adventure at a mere pittance of 99¢ for your reading pleasure (and for a limited time) but our dear friend and ally from Europe,
Concerning Airships and Awards…
When our journalists set out to write their first novel together, they were optimistic Phoenix Rising would perform well. What they did not expect is for their book, just six months after its release, to win the 2011 Airship Award for Best Steampunk Literature of
Tales from the Archives — Eleven
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Tales from the Archives — Ten
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Tales from the Archives — Nine
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Tales from the Archives — Eight (Part 2)
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Tales from the Archives — Eight (Part One)
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Tales from the Archives – Seven (Part 2)
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Tales from the Archives – Seven
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Tales from the Archives — Six
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Phoenix Rising at The 2011 Steampunk World’s Fair
This week, our intrepid scribes are bound for new and exciting flights of the imagination as they are attending The Steampunk World’s Fair in Somerset, New Jersey. Alongside our scribes, there will be other smashing artisans: Jared Axelrod, author of Fables of the Flying City
Tales from the Archives – Five
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Ministry signing and photo shoot
The Ministry book trailer was shot in downtown Staunton, Virginia. A beautiful little town, with some amazing Victorian architecture. So it is only right that our authors Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris will be returning there for their second book signing and reading. You will
Tales from the Archives — Four
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Tales from the Archives — Three
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Tales from the Archives — Two
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would
Tales from the Archives – One
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would