Just an update.
The Steampunk Challenge piece fell through - I lost motivation whilst starting on the models, and never recovered after that.
So, anyway, I decided to do something simpler so that at least I could start getting things done. What I've been doing so far (its only been a few days since starting) can be seen here http://www.foundation3d.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4972
If all goes well it'll be done (modeling, lighting, texturing, and post-painting) in time to submit for Exotique. And maybe, just maybe I'll be able to get it published. We shall see.