I'm sad to report that Noble Beast is closing its doors and will not continue publishing. We tried to make a go of it for close to 4 years, but the revenue is simply not enough and the expenses are to high. The registered trademark name, "Noble Beast", the domain NobleBeast.com, the book (audio and print), and the iPad application itself are now for sale. Contact richard@noblebeast.com
8.08.2014
3.10.2014
The Artifact Register—March
Welcome to the first installment of The Artifact Register, where we share some of our favorite Sherlockian and steampunk swag of the month!
Project Runway: Under the Gunn hosted a "Steampunk Chic" challenge where the contestants were supposed to make a steampunk-inspired avant-garde look. Most of the designers clearly had no idea what steampunk was, but Natalia knocked the challenge out of the park with her Victorian gown that transformed with a series of gears and pulleys built into the design. Unfortunately, she didn't win. Apparently the judges didn't really know what steampunk was, either.
Zazzle has a ton of snazzy steampunk iPhone cases, including these sweet kraken and clockwork designs.
These Robert Ogden Lamps are made from parts Ogden finds in junk yards and flea markets. They'd look great in a steampunk-style office or library, don't you think?
The hyper-realistic paintings of Massimo Contran have a strong steampunk sensibility, although they are not fantasy images—they're paintings of real abandoned factories and industrial buildings. Like Victorian sketches of archaeological ruins, there's something deeply romantic about Massimo's work, and one can easily imagine the gears of these outdated mechanics and technologies providing inspiration for a story about our alternate past.
Come across something amazing you'd like to see included in The Artifact Register? Email Natasha at NobleBeast.com, or share it in the comments!
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| Dress design by Natalia Fedner. Image via Nick Verreos' blog. |
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| Dress design by Natalia Fedner. Image via Nick Verreos' blog. |
Project Runway: Under the Gunn hosted a "Steampunk Chic" challenge where the contestants were supposed to make a steampunk-inspired avant-garde look. Most of the designers clearly had no idea what steampunk was, but Natalia knocked the challenge out of the park with her Victorian gown that transformed with a series of gears and pulleys built into the design. Unfortunately, she didn't win. Apparently the judges didn't really know what steampunk was, either.
Zazzle has a ton of snazzy steampunk iPhone cases, including these sweet kraken and clockwork designs.
These Robert Ogden Lamps are made from parts Ogden finds in junk yards and flea markets. They'd look great in a steampunk-style office or library, don't you think?
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| Fornace Zolfo by Massimo Contran. Image via Agora Gallery. |
The hyper-realistic paintings of Massimo Contran have a strong steampunk sensibility, although they are not fantasy images—they're paintings of real abandoned factories and industrial buildings. Like Victorian sketches of archaeological ruins, there's something deeply romantic about Massimo's work, and one can easily imagine the gears of these outdated mechanics and technologies providing inspiration for a story about our alternate past.
Come across something amazing you'd like to see included in The Artifact Register? Email Natasha at NobleBeast.com, or share it in the comments!
1.14.2014
SPH Wins Best App Award!
Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus Wins "Best Adult Fiction" Digital Book Award.
We’re excited and proud to announce that Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus has won the award for Best App in the Adult Fiction category of the 2014 Digital Book Awards, hosted by the Digital Book World Conference and Expo. The Digital Book Awards recognize innovation, creativity, and excellence in e-book publishing, and we’re honored that our enhanced and interactive digital book is among the groundbreaking winners and nominees this year.
With original artwork, top-notch writing, music, and cutting-edge technology, Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus pushes the boundaries of how an e-book can entertain, involving readers in the story in a way that’s only possible with this new medium for publishing.
We’d like to thank all our readers, backers, and creative team for making this award possible, and we’re looking forward to producing even more innovative and inspiring books in 2014!
10.08.2013
GeekDads review of Steampunk Holmes
We're hugely thankful for James Floyd Kelly's awesome review of Steampunk Holmes' enhanced e-book. He writes:
I’m quite convinced that Noble Beast is onto something here. I’m a fan of ebooks, but I do so love to hold a physical book in my hands. But these kinds of interactive elements, with the animation and sound effects, could easily convince me to go the digital route in the future when both print and Enhanced Book options are available. Why should kids have all the fun when it comes to music, sound effects, and animation in their ebooks?
Read the rest of the article....
10.03.2013
Reviews and Rhapsodies
First, let's start with some music. The amazing composers of Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus' enhanced book app music is by Abney Park. They're a brilliant post-apocalyptic steampunk band, led by the fearless Captain Robert. They have a new CD, called Circus and the End of the World.
I particularly love their song, The Story That Never Starts, especially for the violin rhapsody at the beginning. Every Sherlock fan enjoys a good violin solo, eh?
Congratulations to Lucas Corso, who won the giveaway yesterday. But I'm betting you want your own chance to win your choice of ANY of Steampunk Holmes' art, don't you? Simply buy or review Steampunk Holmes' app, and you'll be eligible to win! Best of luck, lads and lassies.
a Rafflecopter giveawayI particularly love their song, The Story That Never Starts, especially for the violin rhapsody at the beginning. Every Sherlock fan enjoys a good violin solo, eh?
Congratulations to Lucas Corso, who won the giveaway yesterday. But I'm betting you want your own chance to win your choice of ANY of Steampunk Holmes' art, don't you? Simply buy or review Steampunk Holmes' app, and you'll be eligible to win! Best of luck, lads and lassies.
But there's more. Victorian Curiosities is a wonderful Etsy store that we are excited to be partnering with. Want a steampunk money clip? Hat pin? Earrings? Who doesn't? Victorian Curiosities will have something for anyone.
Once again, thanks a million for being such a great support, and reading and enjoying our book.
What some people have been saying about the enhanced book app:
What some people have been saying about the enhanced book app:
"It's absolutely beautiful."
"Fantastic app, bravo."
"I'm saving for the iPad. When I get it this will be the first app I purchase for it."
"Awesome new Holmes app..."
"Sweet app."
"Really enjoyed the book and even have my mum into it now."
"I'm waiting for the next book!!"
If you enjoy the enhanced book experience, then we're happy to tell you that we aren't finished making them--in fact, we're just beginning. Noble Beast has just acquired the noir fantasy series, Shotguns and Sorcery, by Matt Forbeck. We're over the moon about it--and have signed on Jeremy Mohler as Art Director and BrunuhVille as the Music Director! Head on over to the Noble Beast article to hear more about the upcoming project....
10.02.2013
Official Steampunk Holmes Press Release
Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus Enhanced Book for iPad Gives Readers an Innovative Storytelling Experience
On September 30, 2013 Noble Beast released our first enhanced book, Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus.
Enhanced books are fairly new to adult fiction, so let me describe our product. Steampunk Holmes is an interactive book app with
- optional audio narrative
- illustrated designs of devices
- gorgeous painted illustrations
- character profiles
- an interactive map of 19th Century London
- a musical score by the fantastic steampunk band Abney Park
The app is available on iTunes for $9.99, exclusively for the iPad. Most enhanced books are either non-fiction or for children, so we find we have a very open market. However, it's also so new that most people don't know what an enhanced book app is...but that’s one of the challenges of being a pioneer!
Critics are already raving about Steampunk Holmes. The book has been nominated for an Airship Award for Best Fiction at Steamcon and was mentioned in the New York Times. Here are some of our favorite reviews:
“[Steampunk Holmes is] revitalizing old-fashioned storytelling in new ways.”
“Steampunk Holmes was a joy to read!”
"Really enjoyed the book and even have my mum into it now."
-Twitter Follower (we are a sucker for our mums)
“Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus iPad app is just as whimsical, beautiful, and engaging as its creators promised."
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If any book reviewers or app reviewers are interested in getting a free copy for their review site, please email: tara@noblebeast dot com. We j'adore reviews as much as Sherlock Holmes j'adores data, data, data.
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Also, the giveaways are still going on! If you share the iTunes app link (and tag us) on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, you'll be eligible to win a free copy of the app, and the gorgeous octopus hat pin from Victorian Curiosities.
But that's not all! If you buy or review the app, you'll be eligible to win your pick of any Steampunk Holmes Digital Art!
We have some really exciting news to share tomorrow about a future project! Stay tuned...
10.01.2013
Behind the App: The Steampunk Holmes Team
We couldn't have made anything great without a great team of people.
We are constantly blown away by their talent, and so proud to have them on our team.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our fearless leader, Richard Monson-Haefel. He's the brains and the brawn behind Steampunk Holmes, his passion, persistence, and intelligence is what brought this to life. If you want to read about his story about making Steampunk Holmes, he wrote about it here.
We are constantly blown away by their talent, and so proud to have them on our team.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our fearless leader, Richard Monson-Haefel. He's the brains and the brawn behind Steampunk Holmes, his passion, persistence, and intelligence is what brought this to life. If you want to read about his story about making Steampunk Holmes, he wrote about it here.
And then there's me, (Ellie Ann), and Tara Clark, the social media folks who get to connect with y'all all day! (I may be biased, but I think we have the best job ever.)
Ellie Ann
Tara Clark
And the reviews are coming in! The amazing Baker Street Babes (specifically, the amazing Amy Thomas), posted a terrific write up of Steampunk Holmes app. She said:
" Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus iPad app, which is just as whimsical, beautiful, and engaging as its creators promised."
"Truly a can’t-miss, and one that leaves me longing for more titles to be added to the series as soon as possible."
"Truly a can’t-miss, and one that leaves me longing for more titles to be added to the series as soon as possible."
Thank you, Babes, for the awesome words!
Now I'd like to announce the winner of yesterday's giveaway: CHRIS STOCKING! Congratulations, Chris. We'll get you a copy of your favorite art from Steampunk Holmes!
Anyone has the chance to win!
If you promote us on social media, you'll be eligible to win a copy of the app, AND this amazing octopus steampunk hat pin from Victorian Curiosities. Victorian Curiosities is one of my favorite steampunk jewelers. Check out their store, there are so many enviable items there.
Or, if you've bought the app, or reviewed the app, you're eligible to win a copy of ANY Steampunk Holmes digital art of your choosing. Awesome, aye? We'll draw out of the hat on Friday. Sign up here:
Thanks so much for making this whole experience a good one! Now spread the word. Tell your family! Tell your friends! Tell your enemies! Tell that random person walking down the street!
