Two weeks from today the Janus Affair hits…according to Amazon that is. Though the official release date is a few days later, Amazon will start shipping that day.
The reviews are starting to come in. You can check them out here…but here are some of my favourites
The Janus Affair is a maddening delight that proves impossible to set aside, even when the plot twists knock the wind from you. Agents Books and Braun are even more addictive this time around as we delve into each of their secrets. The new mysteries that arise are as delicious as the ones we receive answers to. Once again, the authors have created an infuriating pleasure that makes me want to beg on hands and knees for the next book.
The Janus Affair isn’t pretentious or overwrought. It seeks nothing but to entertain readers in the smartest and best way possible and to show the love that Ballantine and Morris have for steampunk, for larger-than-life adventurers and big stories. It’s engaging, it’s a page turner and above all, it’s a really fun story to get lost in for a while.
If you’re a fan of good writing, you need to go ahead and pre-order The Janus Affair now. (Feel free to click the image on the carousel to the right.) If you’ve never read steampunk before, this would be a great introduction. If you’ve felt steampunk wasn’t for you, The Janus Affair will change your mind. If you’re tired of books that take themselves too seriously and forget to let the reader enjoy the story and characters, Ms. Ballantine and Mr. Morris had you in mind. I truly believe with The Janus Affair: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel, this series will become a fan favorite and readers will demand to find out what happens when next Eliza and Welly suit up for their next adventure.
In addition, the ebook versions of the short stories in Tales from the Archives are starting to appear—there are three out so far, but every two weeks a new one appears. So check them out here.
Yes, the Ministry store is finally open. Bags, mugs and even teapots. Please let us know if there is anything else you would like to see—we aim to please.
When one is reviewed, it is one thing, when one is used as an example of feminism in steampunk…that is just cool.
Watch as Brittany Marczak uses Phoenix Rising and Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series in her Feminist Analysis of Steampunk Senior Research Presentation.
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 quite undo their minds.
In this episode:
Women of the Empire— written and read by JR Blackwell
Wellington Thornhill Books and Doctor Josepha Raven Blackwell share ‘an encounter’ after-hours at the Ministry, all part of Dr. Blackwell’s research into hysteria.
Brief as the encounter, one of them will not come out quite the same from it.
J.R. Blackwell is a writer and photographer. Her essay “Evidence of a Baker” was published in the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster in March 2006. Her stories have been published by Escape Pod Magazine, Aoife’s Kiss, Kaleidotrope, Bewildering Stories, Static Movement Magazine, EMG Magazine, HeavyGlow Magazine and in the first Podiobook anthology “Voices: New Media Fiction”. She is one of the founding members of 365tomorrows.com which produces a new piece of science fiction daily.
J.R. has produced the covers to the Anthology “Voices: New Media Fiction” and the novels “Playing for Keeps”, “The Case of the Singing Sword” and “The Case of the Pitchers Pendant”. Her photography has been featured in SubLit Magazine and Flames Rising Magazine. J.R. is the Creative Director at Galileo Games and holds a Masters of Liberal Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, artist Jared Axelrod.
Theme music for the Ministry composed and created by Alex White.
It dawned on us at the Ministry we were so excited in getting out to the world these exciting stories of adventure, mystery, and derring-do, that we forgot to produce a promo for the second season of the award-nominated Tales from the Archives.
Submitted for your listening pleasure and for distribution to æthercasts worldwide. Thank you for your support in the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.
Theme music for the Ministry composed and created by Alex White.
Agents of the Ministry, as you may have discerned from the chatter within the æther, 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 a sign of maturity wherein discourse is inevitable, or perhaps [...]
Finally funds freed up in the Ministry (well, actually we just cut back on biscuits for dunking for a couple of months) and we were able to hire the frighteningly talented (seriously we are investigating him!) Alex White of the Gearheart to design a crest for us. We got very sick of scratching MoPO on [...]
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 quite undo their minds. In this episode: A Swan in [...]
We’re delighted to be bringing you the podcast Tales from the Archives every fortnight, but in between we will also be releasing the ebook versions of the previous week’s story. This helps fund the Ministry and makes it possible for you to enjoy the written word—which Wellington Books is rather fond of. Today it [...]
We greet the news that James Langton will once again be doing the audio version of the next Ministry book with great enthusiasm. Mr. Langton manages to voice the various members of the Ministry admirably. Publication date to follow, but please enjoy the joy of the audio book cover until then.
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 quite undo their minds. In this episode: Sins of the [...]
As you are most likely aware, the Janus Affair, the second book in the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series, is coming in late May. What you may not be aware of is that if you are a reviewer or a book blogger you can get hold of a copy right now. Yes, the fine folk [...]
This week — April 5, 2012 — is the last day supporters of the Ministry can vote for the SPC 2012 Reader’s Choice Awards. This honour, courtesy of The Steampunk Chronicle, is an opportunity for supporters of Steampunk to vote for outstanding talent in media, fashion, mechanics, and art. The Ministry is pleased as punch [...]
It was a very hard decision…yes, we know everyone always says that…but this is very much the truth. The entries to the competition were all done wonderfully, but we had to chose a story that fitted with the Ministry Universe, captured New Zealand-ness and was full of adventure. Unfortunately, the competition pulled out two entries [...]
10 April 2012 Featuring original works from P.J. Schnyder, J.R. Blackwell, J.R. Murdock, Shaun Farrell, and many others. Descend into the Archives again for the untold stories of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.
Another piece of lovely news… The Science Fiction Book club has already produced a hardcover (in fact the only hardcover) version of Phoenix Rising, and now we have received a communique that they will be doing the same for the Janus Affair. At a charity event in FenCon the Phoenix Rising hardback raised $250 so [...]
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.
COMMUNIQUE FROM THE MINISTRY: The Archives just received word from the Director that The Steampunk Chronicle has announced their 2012 Readers Choice Awards. This is your opportunity to vote for outstanding talent in the steampunk community and we are pleased as punch to be featured alongside such talented friends as: Lady Clankington Lord Montague Jacques [...]
It has been made official; our journalists will be present at the Steampunk Worlds Fair. They were there last year, but unfortunately picked up some kind of chill beforehand and were indisposed for several days. They have promised this year to take better care of themsevles, but they do hope to host a tea party [...]
Apparently our journalists Ballantine and Morris are quite involved in this aether-net place called Pinterest. They have pictures of their cats, and places they have been, and far too many recipes. However what they also have (and of far more interest to us here at the Archives) is a page containing information on the Ministry [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
February 21, 2012
Happy #SteamTuesday, friends from the æthertweets! We at the Ministry are quite excited about what we bring to you all today. Following a quite successful Tales from the Archives (Volume the First), our intrepid journalist Tee Morris has been hard at work finishing up development of The Janus Affair and looking ahead to new venues [...]
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 see pictures here), the Library of Congress in Washington DC, [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
February 1, 2012
With the assignment of Miss Braun and charged in training her the Archival Sciences, I find myself adjusting my normal schedule here at the Ministry. Quite often, that adjustment means I find myself awaiting the arrival of Miss Braun. In the Archives. If fortunate, before 11 o’clock tea. Therefore, whist I wait, I must entertain [...]
In addition to Phoenix Rising ebook being currently 99c, we now have a free taste of the Archives available for your ereader. Get a free copy of Dust on the Davenport by the delightful O.M. Grey Amazon – Nook – Smashwords Agent Simon R. Boswell, still considered the green agent of the Ministry, takes on his own [...]
Clearance has finally been received to reveal the cover of our next ripping yarn. This May 29th from Harper Voyager you’ll be able to read our next adventure. I am rather pleased they caught my best side, but once again Welly somehow managed to avoid having his face revealed. I can tell you, it is [...]
Agent Brandon Hill’s autobiography has been a bestseller in London for weeks, but now the Ministry brings you exclusive extracts of the story. We hope these snippets shed light on the enigmatic and eccentric Agent Hill I was asked shortly after the release of the 2nd edition of My Time Among the Llamas why the [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
January 1, 2012
From Miss Braun, myself, Director Sound, and all of us here at the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, we would like to share with you this lovely Christmas steampunk homage from 2011… May the new year bring you all opportunity, prosperity, friendship, and tranquility. Remember that, for a limited time, Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar [...]
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 quite undo their minds. In this episode: The Precarious Child [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
December 24, 2011
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 quite undo their minds. Today, however, we offer this [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
December 20, 2011
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, the lovely Katharina Maimer, pointed out to Miss Braun and [...]
Stuck for steampunk presents to give? Or perhaps already blown the Christmas budget but still have people to buy for? Or maybe you’d just like to curl up in front of the Yule log with a jolly good romp? Then the Ministry has excellent news. The first in our series Phoenix Rising is now available [...]
Agent Brandon Hill’s autobiography has been a bestseller in London for weeks, but now the Ministry brings you exclusive extracts of the story. We hope these snippets shed light on the enigmatic and eccentric Agent Hill. It was pain and guilt that led me into self isolation at 16. My parents had just died in [...]
The Ministry is delighted to announce a competition which they are running in conjunction with the charming folks of SpecFicNZ. One of our journalists is a proud card carrying member of this organisation whose mission is to promote and encourage the speculative fiction genre in New Zealand. This competition is open to all residents or [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
November 22, 2011
Faithful readers, an update from the Ministry’s wireless! As you have been notified from our intrepid journalists on their Twitter, Facebook, and podcast ætherfeeds, Goodreads — a jolly nice salon where purveyours of fine literature gather to discuss what is recent off the printing press and which favourite classics they are returning to — is holding their annual Choice [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
November 18, 2011
Esteemed agents and faithful readers, Miss Braun and I come to you upon bended knee…which, if you are working your way across a large room — I assure you — is neither a simple nor comfortable feat. Perhaps you have heard our intrepid journalists, Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris, discuss on their respective archives the [...]
The Ministry has confirmed it, and now we can reveal it. The name of the second Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences is… The Janus Affair: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel Intriguing isn’t is? Janus, for those without a classical education, is the Roman god of doorways, beginnings and transitions. He looks forward into [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
October 20, 2011
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 the Year. The Airship Awards, honoring the finest in steampunk [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
October 14, 2011
Today, our journalists enter a brave, new world. For any Ministry agents and agents-in-training present at the Colonies’ extravaganza New York Comic Con, our intrepid journalists Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris will be arriving today, and once off the train they will not even have time for tea! (The Deuce I say? Afraid not.) Their foray [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
September 28, 2011
We are so very pleased that Shaun Farrell, the host of Adventures in SciFi Publishing, took time out of his most hurried of schedules (between hosting his award-nominated podcast, traveling across the North Americas, and adjusting to a new addition to his family) to sit down with our intrepid journalists for a chat over tea. [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
September 13, 2011
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 quite undo their minds. In this episode: From Paris, With [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
September 11, 2011
Gentle readers hosting æthercasts within and beyond the Empire, we at the Archives are appealing to you to to consider our humble promo for placement in your production. We are doing what we can to spread the word of the Ministry’s movement into the digital press arena. Therefore, offered to you for your approval and syndication across [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
August 30, 2011
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 quite undo their minds. In this episode: Darkest before the [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
August 29, 2011
Gentle readers, there are amazing things afoot in the Archives, and Miss Braun and I are teeming with excitement at the possibilities of this new ætherweb movement — the digital press. Of course, the released case files of the Archives are already available in a digital format if you are listening to our podcast (and [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
August 11, 2011
Yes, yes, yes — we at the Ministry do apologise for the silence. We know that many of you are anxious to hear more Tales from the Archives, and rest assured, we are working to bring more lost stories from the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. Currently, our intrepid journalists are planning for their trip out [...]
Perhaps you were expecting the latest discovery in our Tales from the Archives, but our intrepid journalists have been facing other pressing commitments and are hard at work in readying the æthercast for it’s next installment. Do mind the dust and be patient with us as we continue development of our tenth story of the [...]
With Chris Moody manning the helm, our Ministry journalists Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris are the subject of discussion on this episode of Steampod. This is Episode the Fifth for Steampod, although Steampod is hardly a new offering to the Ætherweb. Steampod has triumphantly returned from a brief hiatus, and now offers to its listeners [...]
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 quite undo their minds. DISPATCH FROM THE MINISTRY: As the [...]
Yes, after traveling from New Jersey to San Francisco, our journalists from the Ministry have finally settled down, long enough to have a get together near where they live. Now is your chance to put on your steampunk finery and join them for a reading and signing this Saturday at 7pm. Come to Barnes and [...]
How exciting! Our intrepid journalists find themselves in a spirited round table discussion with The League of S.T.E.A.M. concerning steampunk around the world. If you have never enjoyed the offerings of The League, you are doing yourself a disservice. These gentlemen and ladies are professional steampunks, producing light-hearted kinetoscopes for YouTube, making appearances at steampunk [...]
Gentle readers, now that you have enjoyed Night’s Plutonian Shore in its entirety, meet the writer behind this imaginative tale of deering-do as he hosts our intrepid journalists on a discussion on Phoenix Rising, steampunk, and what’s on the horizon for them both. Jack Mangan’s Deadpan is one of the longest-running podcasts, having produced content [...]
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 quite undo their minds. In this episode: Night’s Plutonian Shore, [...]
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 quite undo their minds. In this episode: Night’s Plutonian Shore, [...]
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 quite undo their minds. In this episode: Hanuman’s Gift part [...]
This morning, Miss Braun and I present a short note of appreciation to you, the dedicated bibliophiles, who not only invested the time in our modest adventure across Her Majesty’s realm but also spared the additional moment to share your thoughts on various platforms. The following is just a sampling of the most recent comments [...]
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 quite undo their minds. In this episode: Hanuman’s Gift, written [...]
We here at the Ministry have a serious job- investigating the strange and unusual- but we also are civilised folk. So we have tea. Now while Wellington prefers and assam, and I enjoy an Earl Grey, both of us indulge in a spot of dunking. Some say it is common, I say it is almost [...]
Gentle Readers, if you missed our intrepid journalists at the Steampunk World’s Fair, consider yourself most fortunate as they were incapacitated with a touch of consumption. (I did warn Mr. Morris to stay clear of a giant rat, but he insisted his child wanted to attend that birthday party. Silly man…) If you miss them [...]
Pip and Tee sit down and chat with Lejon about a variety of things, soldiering through their illness (which may or may not be consumption). Pip talks about her other project Geist, but then the two of them sit down and talk steampunk and the future of the Ministry.
Our dashing reporters Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris leap into the back seat with some old friends. The Back Seat Producers have hosted our intrepid duo before, but this time they get down to the nuts and bolts of steampunk and maybe learn a thing or two along the way. The boys have some issues [...]
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 quite undo their minds. Archivist to the Ministry, Eliza D [...]
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 J.R. Blackwell, photographer, model, and author O.M. Grey, author of [...]
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 quite undo their minds. Archivist to the Ministry, Eliza D [...]
It has been just under two weeks since Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel was released. Everyone in the office has been on full alert with signings, podcasts, blogging and appearances all coming at us like rockets from a fifty-foot tall automaton. However when this message came thundering through the pneumatic tubes, we [...]
Our scribe, Tee Morris, has made many friends over his years of æthercasts; and one such place was The Dragon Page. It is hardly an exaggeration that this particular production was more than “just another media contact” but a relationship that would influence his writings and his life in many positive ways. Through The Dragon [...]
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 be able to find them at Bookworks 101 West Beverley [...]
It’s been quite a busy day here at the Ministry, and our authors are bursting with delight. Yes, dear reader, the first of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novels, Phoenix Rising is out in the wild. We have reports of it on such aetherweb delivery devices as the Kindle and the Nook, but no pictures [...]
Many times we at the Ministry are asked (well by those that know we exist) ‘what exactly is a peculiar occurrence?’ One of our scribes, Tee Morris deals with this in the RT Book Reviews Meanwhile our other author Pip Ballantine talks about gadgets as a guest Lolita over on Steamed. You will notice the [...]
While at RavenCon 2011 in Richmond, Virginia, our journalists Tee Morris and Pip Ballantine sat down with the kind hosts of Geek Radio Daily. The Yanks over in the former Colonies also called this show “A Show of Many Tangents” as much giggling, moments of distraction, and lewd and lascivious beaviour ensured once master of [...]
Oh how clever our Ministry scribes are! With their portable kinetorama device, authors Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris shared (in a most candid fashion) their unboxing of the first four copies of Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel. We know there will be more to come, gentle readers, so worry not — on [...]
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 quite undo their minds. Archivist to the Ministry, Eliza D [...]
As Miss Braun has said here, we are most excited about the pending release of our memoirs. (I say, the counter to the right seems to be moving faster and faster, day by day.) As we wait, with the release of our kinetoscope and the launch of our æthercast, the excitement seems to be mounting. [...]
The Ministry is proud to bring you audiofiles from around the aetherwebs of our authors, Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris. The Ministry team is this time interviewed by John Mierau, but before then the time streams cross and a most extraordinary discussion occurs!
Everyone here at the Ministry, all agents, archivists and even the Director, undergo reviews. It helps someone know how they are doing. The same is true of our authors. We are starting to get reports on Phoenix Rising. Below are a sample of reviews we have had so far. If you have read the first [...]
The Ministry is proud to bring you audiofiles from around the aetherwebs of our authors, Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris. Now they continue their delightful conversation with Mainframe. We hope you enjoy our little tete-a-tete, we certainly had a ripping time!
The Ministry is proud to bring you audiofiles from around the aetherwebs of our authors, Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris. Today they are talking to the delightful Mainframe about their past endeavours, Phoenix Rising, and being authors. Hilarity ensues, though the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences denies any responsibility for that.
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 quite undo their minds. Archivist to the Ministry, Eliza D [...]
Gentle readers and true believers in the fantastic and unknown, we at the Ministry have completed the official book trailer for Phoenix Rising, the first volume in The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series from Harper Voyager. These are dark days indeed in Victoria’s England. Londoners are vanishing, then reappearing, washing up as corpses on the [...]
Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel (Official Teaser)[ 2:01 ]Download
Here at the Ministry we often get asked, what is steampunk? We even have a link to that, but here is a remarkable visual piece that explains it quite nicely and also gives you a look at some of the fashions and gadgets that make this movement such fun. At the Ministry we wholly endorse [...]
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 quite undo their minds. Archivist to the Ministry, Eliza D [...]
As someone from an earthquake prone country (Christchurch just suffered its own disaster) I feel somewhat lost being so far away from all this pain and misery. Now is the time for communities to pull together and show how much they care. Beyond Victoriana, one of our favourite blogs, in conjunction with Button Me Up, [...]
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 quite undo their minds. Archivist to the Ministry, Wellington Thornhill [...]
With less than fifty days remaining in the launch of our first adventure, Phoenix Rising, the excitement is reaching a fever-pitch here at the Ministry. Tales from the Archives readies itself for its launch and pre-launch reviews of the novel are coming in. From Germany, Marcus Rauchfuß (also known under the moniker, The Traveler) presents [...]
It’s always very pleasant when people enjoy what you do. Personally, very few people have up until now learned about what we do here in the Ministry. So Wellington and I are a little on tender hooks to see how tales of our derry doing are received. Today, we got our first report in from [...]
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
February 27, 2011
With the announcement of the podcast, we present the promos for Tales from the Archives. We offer here a full version (running time — 1:42) and an edited version (running time — 1:02) for your own use and syndication pleasure. Feel free to download, share, and place in your own podcasts!
by Wellington Thornhill Books Esq.
February 8, 2011
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 if something was lost in translation. I have enjoyed the [...]
The ducks have all been placed in a row, and I am able to reveal what we have been working on here in the Ministry. A selection of fine tales about the secret and dangerous goings on within our organisation. We are most fortunate to have found a number of trusty individuals to bring these [...]
Ministry agents have reached deep into foreign territory. Queen Victoria’s grand-daughter Alexandra Feodorovna Romanova may be the new Tsarina in Russia, but we never expected the Ministry to make an impact there. Phoenix Rising; a Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novel will be translated and available within the boundaries of Mother Russia. Eliza is taking a [...]
The news has filtered through the pneumatic tubes- Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novels will be available in Germany, Australia and New Zealand. Eliza is wondering about what the covers will be, while Wellington begins working on the translation. The American edition will be out in May, so hang on for the ride!
Yesterday one of the boffins from upstairs ventured down into the Archives and said that Doctor Sound was insisting we all pose for new photographs. I am sure my Mum back home in New Zealand would like one–but if look all stuffy she won’t recognize me, or worse imagine that I have changed after being [...]
Recently I have returned to Godzone country, but unfortunately undercover. (A little misunderstanding that involved dynamite, suffragists, and a certain petition). I am fairly sure Dick Seddon is not familiar with the ethersphere, so this communication will remain between just you and I. It was most heartening however to discover that steampunk is alive and [...]
In my role in the Archives (sadly this seems to be permenant) I run across some interesting news articles. Wellington says my cataloging of these items will keep me out of trouble, and away from the more fragile items in his collection. Normally this would be a reason NOT to do it, however Doctor Sound [...]
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences is the clandestine English service, which protects citizens of the Empire from the strange and terrifying. We specialize in dealing with secret societies and neferious ner-do-wells. Our Agents span the globe and include the following heroes Agent Brandon Hill from Canada Agent Bruce Campbell from Australia Agent Eliza D Braun [...]
