eSpec Books is an independent publisher, founded in 2014 by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Mike McPhail, that specializes in speculative fiction, including steampunk.

The company has published numerous steampunk anthologies as well as novels by Michelle D. Sonnier, Ef Deal, and Christine Norris as well as Ackley-McPhail herself.

Links
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Stories
Staff Report | Apr 13, 2026
Steampunk fans will celebrate the works of Lewis Carroll as the fourth Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival takes place April 17-19 in York, Pennsylvania. The calendar also includes happenings in Boston, Phoenix, and the U.K.
Staff Report | Jan 22, 2026
Congratulations to author Ef Deal, who took top honors in both steampunk categories — novels and short fiction — in the 2026 Critters Annual Readers Poll, presented by the Critters Workshop. The awards recognized works released in 2025.
Staff Report | Jan 19, 2026
If you’re among the many steampunk creators who crowdfund their work on Kickstarter, you should be aware of a recent change that could reduce your visibility in search results. Fortunately, there’s a simple fix.
Staff Report | Jan 10, 2026
Our latest crowdfunding roundup includes a new Forgotten Lore anthology, a steampunk space adventure, and a time travel tale starring H.G. Wells and Nellie Bly.
Staff Report | Jan 6, 2026
The biggest book-related story of 2025 came from a federal courtroom in San Francisco, thanks to a massive settlement in a copyright infringement case. But there were still plenty of notable book releases.
Staff Report | Mar 24, 2025
“Bram Stoker vs. Mary Shelley” will be the theme as the third Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival takes place March 29-30 in Pikesville, Maryland, near Baltimore. Special guests include Dacre Stoker, great grand-nephew of Dracula author Bram Stoker, and actress Debra Ann Miller, who will portray Frankenstein author Mary Shelley.
Staff Report | Jan 23, 2025
A novel by Ef Deal and short stories by Robin Pond and Valerie B. Williams took top honors in the steampunk categories of the Critters Annual Readers Poll presented by the Critters Workshop.
Staff Report | Jan 19, 2025
New tales from Nisi Shawl, P. Djèlí Clark, and Sarah Brooks were among the major literary releases in 2024.
Staff Report | Oct 4, 2024
This week’s Kickstarters include new campaigns from crowdfunding veterans Madeleine Holly-Rosing, eSpec Books, and Kyro Dean. All three were quickly funded and are now in stretch goals.
Staff Report | May 24, 2023
U.K. steampunk author Paul Eccentric is taking his Periwinkle Perspective series into the visual realm. Meanwhile, Danielle Ackley-McPhail is crowdfunding a new story collection and a developer in Australia is seeking funds for an RPG.