What happens when you mix the aesthetic appeal of 1800s Victorian England, scientifically advanced, steam- and gear-powered inventions and the type of alternate historical realities explored in popular culture through movies like “Wild Wild West”? You get steampunk: an inventive, rule-bending subgenre of science fiction that has found a growing niche in Sacramento. The term steampunk stemmed from literature like H.G. Well’s “The Time Machine,” published in 1895, and Jules Verne’s 1870 novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, according to members of the Sacramento Steampunk Society.These early steampunk works, which feature elements of time travel, whimsically inventive, steam-powered inventio

  FICTION by Steven Dietz at Capital Stage There’s an old adage in theatre that audiences attend with ‘a willing suspension of disbelief’. That is to say that they willingly set aside the truth and accept the fact that Peter Pan can fly even though the wires holding him up are plainly seen. That applies to theatre, film, and especially literature. But what if we believe every word we read? Can fiction become fact? Is something true simply because we believe it? In 2003 author James Frey wrote a memoir of his struggle with addiction called ‘A Million Little Pieces’. He was lauded as a troubled genius with a brilliant future, and America loved him. When the truth came out that a portion of

Trust and betrayal took the stage Friday with the opening of "Fiction" at the Capital Stage. The play by Steven Dietz, follows a dramatic love triangle that took the audience on a trip through the characters pasts. "Fiction" is about married writers Linda and Michael and how their lives were not what they seemed. Linda finds out she is dying and at her request, is allowed to read her husband's journals since he will read hers once she is gone. From there, the plot twists and turns, and as it moves between the past and the present their diaries reveal bits and pieces of their lives. The play keeps the audience guessing, unfolding the truth with each scene. I was expecting a more serious

I understand that sometimes a smoker has to smoke, even if it’s on the clock. But does he have to smoke every fifteen minutes–in total disregard of lunch rushes and the “team concept”? And someone please tell me how many smoke breaks do you have to take just to get by? Let me just tell you this story. Two hours into my shift, my fellow busser and the manager on duty walked back into the restaurant, Shelly Sholes, smelling like Newports and Ax Body Spray. The busser, John Christopher, who I called Tar-Lung, was seventeen and walked and talked like he was the love child of Shaggy. The manager, F.J., nineteen, ghost complication with an outdated Eminem hair cut—it makes him feel hardcore. No

Hello, my name is Nicholas Jeff. Try not to make too much fun of my name, but I would agree that it’s pretty messed up. And so is my life. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything horribly wrong with me, but I just get into these dumb situations that just drive me crazy. Take today. I woke up with the taste of long island iced-tea on my breath and the sound of beeping from my alarm clock. In the process of turning off the alarm clock, I slipped on a hot wheel and broke my laptop. Cursing the toy, I told myself my daily lie, "It's going to be a good day," repeatedly. Then I flew to the shower, made a quick sandwich and arrived 33 minutes late for work. “Nick!” my boss Donald yelled, “You

Poets, Playwrights and Budding Novelists!   The fact is, it's often hard to find a space where you can share your work with others. As most writers know, publishing opportunities can be hard to come by and this is why the Sacramento Press is creating a literary space where you can share what you write with others, get feedback and fight writer’s block - all in one. Think Small and Start Local Your ideas can be as simple as: What is it like to live in the Sacramento area? We’re interested in your stories – local and semi-local – about anything your imagination can dream up. You don't have to be a pulitzer prize winner to write for us, but if you are, that's great too. “Write what you kn