Copithorne, Dana 1980-

PERSONAL:

Born 1980. Education: Earned B.A. Hobbies and other interests: Cultural anthropology, art, literature, architecture, urban design, meditation.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

CAREER:

Writer, artist.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Dr. Josef Hasek Award, Czechoslovak Arts and Sciences Society.

WRITINGS:

The Steam Magnate (science fiction novel), Aio Publishing (Charleston, SC), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS:

Dana Copithorne's debut science fiction novel, The Steam Magnate, is set in a place called Broken Glass City, where the architecture reflects its history. Features include a monument constructed of meteor shards, glass gardens, and a bank that is covered by glass panels that describe economic transition. The town also has a bird that functions as a flying camera and a robot mouse. The main characters include Eson, whose family controls the hot springs that generate the town's steam power. He is a lonesome man who longs for a close relationship. He also possesses powers that come in the form of a special bottle of ink. Copithorne, who is an artist as well as a writer, created the art for the book.

In reviewing the book for the SF Site, David Hebblethwaite wrote: "The background which Dana Copithorne has created is distinctive and intriguing. Electrical and mechanical technology with a whiff of magic underneath it all … but not strictly modern, or medieval, or even steampunk. It reminds me, of all things (though I'm sure it's unintentional), of the techno-magical worlds found in games like Myst (though without all the wandering about)." Library Journal contributor Jackie Cassada described the story as being "lyrical in style, with a fairy-tale atmosphere."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Library Journal, August 1, 2006, Jackie Cassada, review of The Steam Magnate, p. 76.

ONLINE

Aio Publishing Web site,http://www.aiopublishing.com/ (July 14, 2007), interview.

Fantasy Book Spot,http://www.fantasybookspot.com/ (July 14, 2007), Justin, review of The Steam Magnate.

Reader Views,http://www.readerviews.com/ (July 14, 2007), Susan Pettrone, review of The Steam Magnate; Juanita Watson, "Interview with Dana Copithorne."

SF Site,http://www.sfsite.com/ (July 14, 2007), David Hebblethwaite, review of The Steam Magnate and brief biography of the author.