We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Catherine Stein. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Catherine below.

Catherine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

As a parent, it’s hard not to worry about the impact you have on your children. None of us are perfect, and we’re never going to get everything right. But one key thing my own parents did was to instill a love of learning and imagination. Books were big in our house. My father was an attorney and my mother a preschool teacher, and reading was just something they did. We had so many kids’ books my mother cataloged them: our own mini library. My parents would read to us and encourage us to read on our own as well. And our book choices weren’t censored. Listening to audiobooks was as good as reading off paper. I stockpiled the popular Babysitter’s Club books alongside award winners and classics. We had and read every genre. This love of knowledge extended to our toys as well, with science kits, math games, and more. Vacations consisted of national parks and historical sites. Museums were fun and cool places to hang out. My parents’ enjoyment of these things and these places was infectious. They were having fun learning, and so we did too. And we never lacked for creative outlets either. Bored in the car? Tell a story. Pretend you’re a book or movie character. Part of our basement became an art room, where we made absolutely anything we wanted to. Did my parents think it was weird when we built a popsicle-stick and styrofoam WWII prison where our action figures could escape their fascist enemies? Probably, but they let us do it anyway. We were encouraged to create and to follow our passions. Eventually I got a degree in art history. My sister studied music. Those aren’t “profitable” fields. But we were happy, with a well-rounded education and a creative mindset. We know how to use our imagination. We know how to be flexible. And we know we can always, always learn something new. I’ve tried to encourage these values in my own children, because I know how important it is to have ideas, to think, to imagine. It makes us happier. It makes other people happier. It makes humanity better. And that’s something we should always encourage.

Catherine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve been telling stories since before I could write. My mom saved a notebook where she would write down my cute and sometimes hilarious toddler musings. I was constantly making up characters and situations in my head. At school, essays were a slog, but give me a creative writing project and I would go all out. (And usually write something about twice as long as required.) It was inevitable, I think, that eventually I would want to give my stories to the world.
I write mainly steampunk romance these days. I like happy endings. I like it when my characters get to find love and friendship and save the day. The good guys win and the world is a little bit brighter. A lot of us need that, as readers. It’s not so much an escape as an affirmation: there is joy to be found, even in a bleak world. My genre of choice lets me play with that to my heart’s content. Steampunk (retro-futuristic science fiction with a Victorian aesthetic) encompasses elements of science, fantasy, history, art, and action-adventure. I can write about real historical events or put a spin on the modern world with characters who don’t fit the mold or aim to fight an oppressive system (the “punk” part of steampunk). It’s a genre where characters create a better world, which I find both comforting and inspirational.
And then there’s all the costume aspects of steampunk: hats with gears, fancy clothes, tea parties, and steam cars. When I need a creative break from writing, I make jewelry, tiny top hats, trinket watches, and other accessories. The books and the crafts go well together and I often sell them side-by-side. And like with my books, I hope my other creations brighten someone’s day. Everyone deserves a little joy.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love art. Visual arts, musical arts, language arts, and so on. It’s beautiful and uplifting. The fact that I can add to that world of art is what makes my job rewarding. I can look at my body of work and think, “Hey, I made a thing!” Sometimes I’ll get a comment from a reader saying, “I loved your book! When does the next one come out?” And I know I’ve done something good. I’ve added beauty to the world. That’s what art does, and that’s why I love creating.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe the best thing society could do is to value creative work, both culturally and monetarily. Making art, in all media, is one of the most incredible things humans are able to do, and social attitudes ought to reflect that. If people acknowledge the importance of art in their lives, those making the art become more respected and appreciated. Art is what gets us through hard times, expands our understanding of the world, and brings us together. We, as a society, should speak this truth with our voices, and whenever possible, back that up with our dollars. Pay artists for their work, respect copyright, and push back against industries like AI that seek to profit from the hard work and creativity of millions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.catsteinbooks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catsteinbooks/
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/catsteinbooks.bsky.social

Image Credits

Catherine Stein, E. McAuley