As I find my own fiction world shifting from traditional high fantasy to more of a steampunk world with guns/trains/steam-powered machines/etc, I'd like to read some literature in that genre. Any recommendations, please?

Hi Red

First and -Imho- best steampunk novel is by two of the greats in science fiction writing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Difference_Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling :read:

also in Paul Di Filippo's 1995 Steampunk Trilogy "Victoria", "Hottentots", and "Walt and Emily" are quite a good yarn.

Thank you, sir! I'll look into those.

I recommend the alternate-history novel "The Peshawar Lancers" by Stirling, which is kind of steampunk in having dirigibles. The premise was interesting: the fall of Western civilization after a meteor strike in Victorian times, jumping forward to an alternate history 21st century and swashbuckling.

Thanks.

Though, I should stress that I'm not interested in alternate history worlds. Rather, I'm looking for fantasy worlds that blend science fiction and other advanced technology not usually found in traditional high fantasy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_City_of_Ember is somewhat like this, though not steampunk itself it does have a blend.

And while I've not read it, I think http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leviathan_%28Westerfeld_novel%29 might have what you're looking for. Again it's not straight steampunk, but it's alternate technology.

As far as "non-traditional" fantasy goes I also highly recommend http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Name_of_the_Wind. It's not steampunk at all, but it's a very neat take on fantasy and magic in general.

Then you have all of the classics. Stuff like Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Just look either of them up and you'll find a score of good reads.

http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6720180.html "Steampunk: Core Titles"

Look no further than Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. The perfect blend of steampunk, fantasy, and horror. Dark, gritty, fantastic, and devastating. Warning, contains mature themes and language.

This, it is very good. Cheap too.

Thanks, guys! You rock!