(This is a mirror site of my webpage karenjcarlisle.com)

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Red's Road Trip - Melbourne Supanova Report

This was my first interstate convention trip to sell my books. I've been interstate many, many times in the past to attend them (mostly in the 80s/90s for fan cons). So this was an adventure.
The big questions were:
  • How to find close accommodation
  • How many books, mugs and accessories to take?
  • and could we fit them in the car?
Fortunately I had company: my fellow Adelaide Indie Authors, Matt Pike, KE Lowe and Kylie Leane. We found an Air B&B (another first for me) only 4 minutes drive from the event.

The con venue was huge. This year the Artist Alley had its own tent – literally.  Last year it was in the Exhibitors (merchandise) tent. This was both a good, and a bad thing.
1. everyone in the pavilion were there to see the artists and authors.
2. The event was sprawled over different buildings and many attendees didn't even make it to our tent (before spending all their money).

Several Indie authors I've known for years on social media or in writing groups attended Melbourne Supanova (Melbourne is half way between Sydney and Adelaide), and I finally got to meet them!
Felicity Banks writes steampunk, set in Australia. We've been sharing writing (and health) info for some time now.  I met Ash Oldfield and Chris Heinicke from FB writing groups  and I was introduced to Rachel Nightingale by a mutual SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) friend.

There were amazing costumes, but not as many as I expected.

I sold quite a few books at Supanvoa. Someone even pre-ordered Aunt Enid!

Best feedback of the weekend: Day 2 (returning after buying book one, Doctor Jack & Other Tales, on day 1) - "I need to buy the next two books. I started reading the first book, my mum took it off me and spent the rest of the afternoon reading it and won't give it back."
Best unexpected meeting: Jack, from a local library, was hunting for new books. We chatted about library stuff. He took my card, as they are looking to expand their offering and want more steampunk books. (squee).

For those of you in Australia, my books are in the library system. Several libraries in Adelaide already have copies. I'm hoping some Melbourne ones will soon.
Unfortunate things about the weekend (other than the near crash on the way over):
  • The heat inside the pavilion.
  • Thank goodness I brought my inhaler! Melbourne has a visible fog layer (and there is local burning off). I've been wheezing all weekend.
  • And all that standing has had a toll on my back. I was off for a massage today.
I hibernated for the rest of the week. These events zap my energy, leaving me with no spoons. For those who don't know about the Spoon Theory with regards to chronic illnesses, you can read about it here.  Now I'm back at work finishing off Aunt Enid.
Red, the garden gnome (from the cover of 'Aunt Enid:Protector Extraordinaire') joined us on the road trip, along with my indie author co-conspirators. He made a pictorial road trip diary:
Thursday:
We started at 7 am.

   
The convoy rejoined at Keith - uniting the intrepid travellers.
Then it was back on the road...

And we arrived at our Air B&B in time for tea. A big thank you to Katie who played mum and cooked for us.


Friday:
It was onto the showgrounds and the big tent for set up on Friday.

and I got to wear my new Gnome (Aunt Enid) t-shirt! 

Saturday:
The view from our table. Yes, there is a world out there!

I would have loved to get a photo with Peter Capaldi but, alas, funds did not stretch far enough... a kindly fellow author let me touch his coveted ticket. Sigh.


Sunday:
I was very restrained this con. This is my purchased stash (plus a copy of Penolope Lowe's 'The Three Dungeoneers'. (Guess who's a D&D fan.)



Monday:
After a busy weekend, Red is exhausted (and so am I). I'm battling to stop wheezing, with record fog and smog in Melbourne, and constant burn offs around the city. Red helped me to update my pages.



Tuesday:
and we're off home. Time to fill up with petrol.


Update: Today
I've been on inhalers, antihistamines and steroids and have narrowly avoided return of the bronchitis after a weekend  of Melbourne air (another reason I live in Adelaide).


As a result, I have moved the Aunt Enid eBook launch sale to start on 21st May and end on 7th June.

Patreon Posts are live

Hello Dear Reader,
My latest post has gone live on my Patreon Page. You can read all about deadlines, interviews and more on 'Aunt Enid: Protector Extraordinaire'.

Become a Patron!

Sunday, April 22, 2018

NZ and Australian Author Book Sale Starts Today

Buy your eBook copy of

Viola Stewart’s final adventure,

‘The Illusioneer’


66% off via Smashwords.

(US $0.99)

USE VOUCHER CODE: KJ68Q

(valid 22-26th April, 2018)

The New Zealand organisers  will be making a donation to the RSA (Returned Serviceman Association) in New Zealand for each book sold during the sale.



‘To commemorate Anzac Day we are running a sale on authors from New Zealand and Australia.  The sale will run from 22 – 26 April 2018.’


For more specials from

New Zealand and Australian authors,

check out the Sale Page.



NZ and Australian Author Book Sale Starts Today

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Pre-order Aunt Enid paperbacks at Supanova

If you’re attending Melbourne Supanova this year, why not visit me in the Artist Alley (table #48 – you can see me from the Celebrity token purchasing, just beyond the Comic Book Supa-Starsarea!)



This weekend you can buy copies of ‘The Adventures of Viola Stewart’ series or…


Pre-order your very own copy of ‘Aunt Enid: Protector Extraordinaire’. (due out approx 14th May)


 



Pre-order Aunt Enid paperbacks at Supanova

Hello from Supanova!

Good morning everyone, from Melbourne Supanova.


I’ll be posting updates and pictures on my Twitter and Facebook feeds during the weekend. (I can’t always access my webpage via my phone. 🙁 )


For my blog followers, you can follow the twitter feed on my original webpage (to the left on your computer, or below on your phone).



I’m in the Grand Pavilion – the one that looks like a big tent!


at table #48 (Artist Alley)


 


And watch out for my roadtrip video on Youtube!



Hello from Supanova!

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Get your Original Artwork Mugs at Supanova

Only two days til Melbourne Supanova and I’m bringing my new, original artwork mugs with me!


You can purchase your very own ‘Aunt Enid: You, and whose army’ or Doctor Jack mug during Supanova.


 


I’m also bringing stock of my original ‘The Adventures of Viola Stewart’ mugs – Viola or Men in Grey? You choose. And a limited number of ‘Kraken series’ mugs available for purchase.


All mugs are $20 each.


(Oh, and there’s also badges… all designs are available as badges. $3 each or 2 for $5)



Get your Original Artwork Mugs at Supanova

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Red's Road Trip

Meet Red, from ‘Aunt Enid: Protector Extraordinaire’.

He’s going on a road trip this weekend.


Follow his travels on Twitter or on Facebook (from Thursday)


Read the full travel diary on my Patreon page.

(Cogs in the Machine tier and above)



photo: ©2018 Karen Carlisle.










Red's Road Trip

Original Artwork T-shirts at Supanova.

Hello, Melbourne.


Not long now until Supanova, and I’m bringing some book-related merchandise with me – with original artwork done me !


I’ve got a limited number of new ‘Aunt Enid’ t-shirts (in white only, for the convention).


If you prefer a coloured (or a different style) t-shirt , then you can order via my Redbubble store (t-shirts ordered in Australia are now printed in Australia, so post is cheaper too).


 


Why not snuggle up with Doctor Jack?


I also have a (very) limited number of ‘Doctor Jack’ classic tees (from ‘The Adventures of Viola Stewart’ series).  


You can also purchase varying t-shirt styles and colours of this t-shirt (and others) at my Redbubble store.


All t-shirts are $30.  When you are purchasing your t-shirt,  mention my blog , and get a free eBook of Doctor Jack as well!



Original Artwork T-shirts at Supanova.

Monday, April 9, 2018

Melbourne Supanova Floor Plan is Out!

Melbourne Supanova floor plan is out!


Follow the purple line to #48 to find me in Artist Alley.

(and meet Matt Pike at table #47/ KE Fraser and Kylie Leane are also at table#48)



 










Melbourne Supanova Floor Plan is Out!

Want to join my Live Chat?

On the second Saturday (Australian time) I have a live chat for Patreon patrons. If you want to find out more background on characters, why I write what I write, learn more about steampunk,  join me for a cuppa (and maybe get some sneak peeks and spoilers) then all you have to do is sign up for the Conspirator tier on my Patreon page and register on Discord.



My next live chat is 11 am- 1 pm, Saturday 14th April (Australian Central Time – Adelaide).


You can find out the details of my  Patreon rewards on my page:




Want to join my Live Chat?

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Melbourne Supanova, Book Launch Date & eBook Promotions

Melbourne Supanova is coming…


Between 20th and 21st, April I’m road tripping with three other Adelaide Indie Authors, KE Fraser, Kylie Leane and Matt Pike.

And we’re planning a special treat for Melbournites attending – an exclusive gift bag (one on Saturday and one on Sunday) with items from all four indie authors by joining Aunt Enid in her favourite pastime – bingo! – with our Indie Author ‘bingo’ game.

Each author has added items from their merchandise stash (one complete set on both Saturday and Sunday of the event).My contribution to the gift bags are:


  • an original artwork (by me) mug -different mug on each day. (RRP: $20)

  • Smashwords voucher for an eBook copy of Doctor Jack (first novella in The Adventures of Viola series) (RRP: US$2.99)

  • Octoarm bookmark (metal hook bookmark with a dangly) (RRP: $5)

  • original artwork badge (RRP: $3)



Other items in both loot bags include:



  • Three tins of Monster Slime and/or Magic Slime (Matt) (RRP: $15)

  • Monogrammed cotton tote bag and 3 cord wraps (to wrangle pesky electronic cords) – made by Katie (RRP: $15)

  • a Semyueru (or Sami – a cybernetic fairy) plushie character from Kylie’s fantasy series, Chronicles of the Children. Each is unique in design, made by Kylie. (RRP: $40)


So, If you are in Melbourne, come along to the Supanova Artists’ Alley, say hello and play our Indie Author bingo. And don’t forget to  tell your friends!



Aunt Enid updates:


Work on Aunt Enid is chugging along but taking longer than expected. The official launch date has been rescheduled to the original: 14th May, 2018

(but I’m still working on getting her to print before Melbourne Supanova.)

I’ll be posting information on how to pre-order books (within Australia) in the coming weeks.


Gnomes have been elusive to find. I have 12 so far. Some will only be with me for a holiday. My friend, Adam, has offered to 3D print me some to add to their numbers. I’m hoping to have the book trailer out late April/early May.

Upcoming eBook Promotions:




  • 22nd til 26th May. NZ and Aus Author Sale for ANZAC day.


You can find Viola’s last eBook adventure, The Illusioneer, on sale (66% off) at the NZ and Aus Author Sale. The Illusioneer is under both Science Fiction and the Mytstery/Horror genres on the sale page.

You can also find other other Australian and New Zealand authors (including Adelaide SF author, Matt Pike) there as well.

You can access the voucher for the special price eBook via The Illusioneer eBook page my book shop, from 22nd April onwards.

This also ties in with Melbourne Supanova.







  • 14th May til 31st May. Special Aunt Enid eBook launch Promotion


May is launch month for Aunt Enid!

There will be an eBook special launch price (66% discount). The Smashwords voucher will be posted just before the launch. Watch out for this promo in Tea & Tidings and on the Aunt Enid shop page:


 


Steampunk Panel at Adelaide Pop Con 2.0! 


I’ve also been invited to sit on a steampunk panel for a one day con here in Adelaide: Pop Con 2.0!  – with steampunk artists, Jess Cate and Jana Hoffman, and fellow steampunk and costumer, James Murray.

(I’m also on the wait list for a table in their Artists’ Alley). So pop by and we’ll talk steampunk.


There’s a lot happening at the moment. And there’ll be more announcements next month!



Melbourne Supanova, Book Launch Date & eBook Promotions

Friday, April 6, 2018

NZ and Australian Author Book Sale 22-26th April

Australia and New Zealand have a special relationship – and some fantastic authors. You can purchase selected stories from both Australian and New Zealand authors during the April NZ and Australian Author Sale:


‘To commemorate Anzac Day we are running a sale on authors from New Zealand and Australia.  The sale will run from 22 – 26 April 2018.’



Thanks to Nix for organising a sale of Australian and New Zealand authors. She will be making a donation to the RSA (Returned Serviceman Association) in New Zealand  for each book sold during the sale.


Buy your eBook copy of  Viola’s final adventure in this series.


‘The Illusioneer’

66% off via Smashwords.

(US $0.99)



Sale starts 22nd April, 2018.

For more specials from

New Zealand and Australian authors,

check out the Sale Page.




NZ and Australian Author Book Sale 22-26th April