Picture a storyteller who swapped TV screens for airships soaring through a post-apocalyptic sky—meet Richard Ellis Preston Jr.! This American-born, Canadian-raised author crafts steampunk adventures that pulse with Victorian flair and high-octane thrills. Best known for his Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin series, Preston has carved a niche in science fiction with his vivid worlds and swashbuckling tales.
With a knack for blending gritty dystopias with brass-and-steam aesthetics, Preston’s stories whisk readers to a snowbound, alien-ravaged Earth where zeppelins rule the skies. His debut novel, Romulus Buckle & the City of the Founders, introduced a daring young captain and a crew of misfits, captivating readers with its cinematic energy. Let’s dive into the life and legacy of this unique voice in steampunk!
The Making of Richard Ellis Preston Jr.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Ontario, Canada, Richard Ellis Preston Jr. grew up with a foot in two worlds, later joking he’d rather be British for the tea and wit. He studied English and anthropology at the University of Waterloo, fueling his love for rich cultures and storytelling. His early career as an ENG cameraman for CBC Canada and a screenwriter for HBO and Fox Kids honed his knack for visual narratives, setting the stage for his leap into novels.
A friend’s introduction to steampunk sparked a creative fire, inspiring Preston to trade scripts for the sprawling, fantastical world of airships and alien beasts. His diverse experiences—from excavating a Huron skeleton to attending a sperm whale autopsy—infused his writing with a gritty, lived-in authenticity that makes his dystopian settings leap off the page.
Richard Ellis Preston Jr.’s Unforgettable Stories
Preston’s Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin series is his crown jewel, a steampunk saga set in a frozen, post-apocalyptic California. Romulus Buckle & the City of the Founders (2013) follows 18-year-old Captain Romulus Buckle on a daring mission to rescue his clan’s leader from the fortified City of the Founders. Packed with zeppelin battles, alien krakens, and steam-powered gadgets, it’s a rollicking adventure critics hailed as “frenetic energy”.
The series continues with Romulus Buckle & the Engines of War (2013), where Buckle grapples with clan alliances and a quest to save his sister, and Romulus Buckle & the Luminiferous Aether (2015), which plunges into the mythical underwater city of Atlantis. Preston’s short story “An Officer and a Gentleman” offers a prequel glimpse of a young Buckle facing pirates. His style—vivid, cinematic, and unapologetically steampunk—blends Jules Verne’s wonder with H.G. Wells’ bold imagination, earning praise for its “clanking ball of story machinery”.
Beyond steampunk, Preston explores historical fiction with The White Rose of Stalingrad, a WWII trilogy, and youth adventures under the pen name R.E. Preston with The League of the Sphinx series, starting with The Purple Scarab. His worlds brim with strong characters, especially women like navigator Sabrina Serafim, reflecting his life surrounded by capable female family members.
Why Richard Ellis Preston Jr. Matters
Richard Ellis Preston Jr.’s impact lies in his ability to make steampunk accessible yet richly detailed, drawing in both genre diehards and newcomers. His Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin series, backed by 47North, topped Kindle’s steampunk charts, proving his knack for blending high-stakes adventure with heart. Fans love his flawed, relatable heroes and the tactile, brass-heavy worlds that feel alive.
Preston’s shift to independent platforms like Patreon and Substack shows his adaptability, keeping his stories alive for loyal readers. His work inspires steampunk creators to embrace bold, rule-bending narratives, cementing his place as a storyteller who makes the genre soar.
- Born: Los Angeles, USA
- Key Works: Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin series, The Purple Scarab
- Fun Fact: Once attended a sperm whale autopsy!
Ready for a steampunk thrill ride? Grab Romulus Buckle & the City of the Founders and soar into Richard Ellis Preston Jr.’s dazzling Snow World!