by Rebecca Diem
Women like Ada Lovelace and her tutor, Mary Somerville (1780-1872), led the way for advanced female scholarship. Somerville and her contemporary, Caroline Herschel (1750-1848), set a precedent for the fairer sex when they were both made honourary members of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1835.
In the steampunk universe of the Captain Duke, Somerville took advantage of Queen Victoria’s declaration to fulfill a life-long dream of establishing a school for female scholars. Using her vast network of contacts, and drawing on the many bright young women she corresponded with over the years, Somerville considered this work to be her crowning achievement. She attended the matriculation of the first graduating class before her death. The school itself was named for her former student (and thanks to a generous donation from Ada’s heirs).
Lovelace University—and the incredible Professor Sewell—will feature quite prominently in Book 3 of the Tales of the Captain Duke.
Everyone has a story. Thank you all for being part of mine. Until next time!
Rebecca Diem
May 2015
Acknowledgements
It pleases me greatly to be sharing my work with you once again. The past year has been quite the adventure, and I could not have done it without the many brilliant people I am humbled to have in my life.
Thank you to Arden Dier, Lori Steuart, and Gurushabd Khalsa for being my first readers and editors. The world of Clara and the Captain Duke is richer for having passed through your imaginations (and has many less typos).
My eternal gratitude to Maryann Thomas of The Ginger Press, Andrew Williamson of the Black Cat Artspace, Laura Sinclair, Antonio Carito, and Heather Mundle for your various parts in making a tri-city book tour happen for The Stowaway Debutante.
Thank you to Sarah Dier-McComb for her beautiful artwork on the cover once again, and to Steve Armstrong for bringing all the elements together for the design.
And finally, to my parents, Ray and Kelly, and my siblings, Andrew, Sarah and Leah. Thank you for sharing your time, your feedback, your enthusiasm, and your love. The more I grow and see the world, the more I realize how incredibly special our family is. You are so magnificent.
--Rebecca Diem
May 2015
Rebecca Diem grew up in a far-off land known as Chatsworth, Ontario, surrounded by hills and forests and streams and strange metal beasts that tore through the landscape leaving iron in their wake.
And one day she began to write it all down...
Web: rebeccadiem.com
Email: [email protected]
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