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

Saturday, December 28, 2019

End of Year Writer Group Road Trip

My writing group ventures into town each year – to cruise the bookshops, chocolate shops and tea shops…


https://youtu.be/VCybCCye9Tg










End of Year Writer Group Road Trip

Time Travellers' Picnic 2019

Steampunks and time travellers converged on Adelaide Botanic Gardens for a picnic. We were blaessed with glorious weather and had a visit from the Lost Ninth Legion.


Finally posting the event video.  A little late? Ha! Time is irrelevent.



 










Time Travellers' Picnic 2019

Saturday, December 7, 2019

New Project Sneak Peek for Patreon Supporters

I’ve got a new project on the go! More about that when it’s complete. My wonderful Patreon supporters got a sneak peek today. Feel like you missed out?  Why not sign up to join in the fun. By pledging just $1 a month you can get sneak peeks as well.


Become a Patron!










New Project Sneak Peek for Patreon Supporters

Supanova Brisbane Video is Live!

See what I got up to in Brisbane last month.


This was  my first time in Supanova Brisbance Artist Alley. There’s the usual costumes, artists and, of course, books and authors!











Supanova Brisbane Video is Live!

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Tea & Tidings coming soon.

Subscribers will be receiving their newsletter, Tea & Tidings, this week.


Don’t miss out on book updates, events, behind the scenes, sneak previews…


Sign up for your copy HERE!










Tea & Tidings coming soon.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Tommorrow, When I Die. A Christmas Story...

Even on Christmas Eve, things are afoot. Viola Stewart is back, with her friends. Together, they meet mysterious strangers, ingenious scientists and nefarious anarchists as they pit wits against the Men in Grey’s latest plans of Empire domination.


Tommorrow, When I Die. A Victorian steampunk mystery.


Click here to buy the eBook novella today.










Tommorrow, When I Die. A Christmas Story...

Monday, December 2, 2019

Who Doesn't like a book for Christmas?

The next online event I’m participating in is on 13-24th December: 12 Days of Christmas Book Buying FB event:  Readers post a wish list of their preferred books. Authors comment on those posts with their books that meet the readers wishes. Although the goal is for each reader that signs up to buy 12 books, all readers are welcome to participate and buy as many as they can afford. Games, contests, and great prizes will make this event fun. More info HERE

I have an ebook copy of ‘The Department of Curiosities’, ‘Aunt Enid’, and ‘Doctor Jack’ as prizes for some of the competitions.










Who Doesn't like a book for Christmas?

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Supanova Adelaide Video uploaded.

It’s finally here – my event video from Supanova Adelaide. (Brisbane’s is still in the works.)



(Patreon supporters received a sneak preview earlier in the week.)



Supanova Adelaide Video uploaded.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Tea & Tidings Sent Today

The November Tea & Tidings newsletter – with sneak peeks, photos, event info, book excerpts, and more – was emailed to subscribers today.  Don’t forget to check your email.


You can sign up for next month’s newsletter HERE.



 


 










Tea & Tidings Sent Today

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Patreon Update and Live Chat Info


November Patreon Live Chat will be coming from the PBA FM Community Event this weekend, Saturday 11.30am to 1.00 pm (Adelaide, Australian CST ) I’ve got lots of things to talk about!



Patreons also received their short story reward today.


Become a Patron!










Patreon Update and Live Chat Info

Monday, November 11, 2019

Find me at PBA FM Open Day and Market!


PBA FM Open Day and Market

16th November.




Support local Community Radio at 17-19 Wiltshire Street,  Salisbury (South Australia). There will be dancing, Northern Singer/Songwriter launch, vintage cars, games, music, dancing, station tours, your chance to be on radio, poetry slam, markets, food and more.



I’ll be there with my books, badges and mugs.




Find me at PBA FM Open Day and Market!

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Adelaide Supanova 2019

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by my table at Adelaide Supanova over the weekend. I met new people, had some lovely chats, got some wonderful photos.

   


I met up with fellow steampunks…and fellow authors… 


(Thanks to K E Fraser for covering so I could get lunch.)

Hope we all get a chance to do this again next year.


Thanks to everyone for supporting an indie author.


Next: Brisbane.










Adelaide Supanova 2019

Friday, November 1, 2019

Going Where I Haven't Gone Before...

Missed me at the Adelaide Steampunk Festival? Bought a book at the Adelaide Comic and Toy Fair and want the next one, but can’t make it to Adelaide Supanova?


I’ve got great news!


If you’re in Adelaide, you can now find my books in Dymocks Rundle Mall.


Aunt Enid, The Department of Curiosities, and all three Viola Stewart books are in the Science fiction/Fantasy section (upper level).


I’ll also be signing books at the Dymocks Rundle Mall (Adelaide) Shopping Night for SA Writer members on 28th November from 6.00 pm.



Going Where I Haven't Gone Before...

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Not long now!

3 sleeps til Supanova! I’m in Artist Alley (at table #39) with all 5 books, tshirts, mugs, badges and some teacup hats!











Not long now!

Monday, October 28, 2019

5 sleeps until Supanova Adelaide!

If you’re heading to Supanova Adelaide this weekend, make sure to visit Artists Alley. I’ll be at there (at booth #39) with all five of my books, including my latest, The Deparment of Curiosities.



I’ll also have mugs, badges, tshirts and a couple of teacup hats for sale!










5 sleeps until Supanova Adelaide!

Friday, October 25, 2019

Miss my talk on Steampunk?

The video of my steampunk talk at Adelaide Steampunk Festival is now live on my youtube channel (with subtitles).



And I’ve finally finished the subtitles for my talk at last year’s Steampunk Festival…



 



Miss my talk on Steampunk?

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Patreon 'Behind the Scenes' Reward

The October ‘Behind the Scenes’ video for #Patreon supporters (Cogs in the Machine and above) was posted today.


Become a Patron!



Patreon 'Behind the Scenes' Reward

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Adelaide Steampunk Festival 2019

September is my favourite time of the year (but I’m possibly biased: it’s my birthday month AND I get steampunky festival goodness to celebrate!


There were even more artists and authors in the market this year.And creative interpretations of steampunk fashion.


     And my outfits


   


Photos: Karen Carlisle, David Carlisle. ©2019



Adelaide Steampunk Festival 2019

Sunday, October 20, 2019

'Fire and Brimstone' this Halloween


Earlier in the year I mentioned my short short, Sing for Me,  was accepted into Specul8’s anthology, Fire and Brimstone. The anthology is now soon to be released!


I’ll be ordering copies soon. To reserve your copy, contact me asap. RRP AU$19.99



'Fire and Brimstone' this Halloween

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Official Book Launch Video Live!

I officially launched The Department of Curiosities during the Adelaide Steampunk Festival. The video has now been uploaded to my youtube channel and will go public in about a week or so.


The full back cover blurb:


A steampunk tale of adventure, a heroine, mad scientists, traitors and secrets. All for the good of the Empire. 


Miss Matilda  Meriwether has a secret.

Actually, she has several.

One of them has shaped her adult life. Another now controls it. Her Majesty Queen Victoria has control of the Empire. She is the Empire, and creator of its secrets.

Sir Avery works for The Department of Curiosities – the keepers of secrets – especially if they are useful to the Empire.

When Tillie finds herself in the employment of The Department of Curiosities, she realises this is the perfect opportunity to uncover the truth she has been searching for. But the Queen has other plans for her. 


Watch the Official Book Launch Video, now live!



If you’re in Australia, you can buy a copy of ‘The Department of Curiosities’ at Adelaide Supanova and Brisbane Supanova in November. I’ll be in the Artist Alley.



Official Book Launch Video Live!

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Guest Blog Post at The Passing Place

Mark Hayes  (who wrote a lovely review of ‘The Department of Curiosities’) is opening his metaphorical arms and welcoming me in – this time for a guest blog post.


The brief? Anything on writing, steampunk, my own books… I thought I’d touch on it all, and revisit a ‘Steampunk Hands Around the World’ post from 2017, which is still very relevent for me today.


You can read it on his blog, The Passing Place, tommorrow (UK time) around noon – about 9.30 pm Adelaide time, I think.











Guest Blog Post at The Passing Place

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Event Video: Comic and Toy Fair

It’s live!


Visit the Artists’ Alley, collectors, fan and sports clubs… at the fifth Adelaide Comic and Toy Fair. Thanks to everyone to stopped by for a chat. It was great to meet new people (and readers!) A big hello to my #1 fan, Tilly. Great to see you again.




Event Video: Comic and Toy Fair

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Long Weekend Shennanigans!

I’ll be at the Adelaide Comic and Toy Fair tomorrow (Monday long weekend holiday) with all five books, some mugs, badges and tshirts. I’ll also have my teacup hats if you want a quick splash of steampunk!


See you at 43 Lower Portrush Rd, Marden.










Long Weekend Shennanigans!

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Latest 'The Department of Curiosities' Bookreads Review

Authors love people reading their books. We love reviews too!


The first Goodreads review for ‘The Department of Curiosities’ was posted recently.


“Having purchased this book from the author at the Adelaide Steampunk Festival this year (2019) I didn’t want to leave it too long without being read. The most recent book I’ve read with dirigibles in it was the post-apocalyptic “Mortal Engines” series. Carlisle’s novel though is set in Queen Victoria’s steam-powered British Empire, of which Australia is very much a part…(snip)

If you like a bit of mystery and action, not to mention the mechanical “curiosities” of the inventive steampunk realm, you’ll probably enjoy this book. I did.”     
– Kerry Hennigan.


You can read her review on Goodreads: HERE.



Latest 'The Department of Curiosities' Bookreads Review

Friday, October 4, 2019

Video - Tea Tasting: Tea Science

As you know, I love tea! This year we had tea tasting at the Adelaide Steampunk Festival.


The second video from this year’s Adelaide Steampunk Festival is a tea tasting. Of course! (Now if there’d only been chocolate…) Thanks to Ali at Wyverstone Tea for allowing me to create this video.



I bought the Petals and Nettles, and highly recomend it!



Video - Tea Tasting: Tea Science

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Monday, September 30, 2019

Welcome to the Adelaide Steampunk Festival!

Meet the makers and creators, see the costumes, join in the fun. The Adelaide Steampunk Festival is back. Video is now live on my youtube channel.



Watch this space, there are more videos to come!










Welcome to the Adelaide Steampunk Festival!

Thursday, September 26, 2019

PBA FM Recovery and Well Being Show Interview Live Tomorrow

I’m back at PBA FM tomorrow – live from 1.30pm, talking with Phil on the Recovery and Wellbeing Show,. We’ll be talking about books, steampunk and mental health.

You can listen live online at www.pbafm.org.au



#mentalhealth #radiointerview #steampunk #talkingbooks










PBA FM Recovery and Well Being Show Interview Live Tomorrow

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Adventures in Tintype

Three years ago I wrote a short story called ‘The Magic Lantern‘.  I revelled in the research as I’ve been a photography buff since highschool. (About every five years I contemplate setting up a darkroom…) I fell in love with tintype photography and now keep an eye out for them on my travels.



I had my first opportunity to experience nineteenth century photography during the 2016 Adelaide History Month.  This tied in with my research perfectly! I wrote this post on the history of early photography and a bit on the process.


This year I had the opportunity to share the experience with some of my fellow steampunks, as a promotion for this year’s Adelaide Steampunk Festival’s resident tintype photographer, The Tintype Traveller.


As a writer, experiencing the process of ‘period’ photography helps me to bring it to life in my writing. Photography in the nineteenth century wasn’t just a  matter of pressing a button and having an instant image able to be deleted without a thought. The process takes approximately thirty minutes. The sitter relies on the knowledge of the photographer, but there is an element of serendipity (and some excitement) waiting for the final image to appear on a piece of metal. It’s tangible evidence of a snapshot in time worth waiting for. And perfect for steampunk attire!


Here are some photos from the shoot, thanks to Sam Oster and Peter Stanley:


And a short video from the day.



Sam and her team will be set up in The Tintype Travellers’ caravan at this year’s Adelaide Steampunk Festival. You’ll be able to book your own ‘period’ photography experience. Sam will talk you through the process. You have a personalised sitting (or standing) and get your very own, exclusive tintype photo!





And a bit from The Tintype Traveller:


About Tintype Photography: Tintype photography is a classic process which was used from the mid 1800s to early 1900s.  The processing must be done immediately after the exposure meaning the whole process from shot to final unique photograph takes around 30 minutes. The result is a picture developed in the same process that would have been performed in the era of steam travel and associated vintage life.


About the Photographer: Sam Oster is an accredited member of the Australian Institute for Professional Photography (AIPP) and is Principal photographer for Silvertrace www.silvertrace.com. She is an active member of the professional community and is also a lecturer in photography. Sam has been working with Tintype photography for the last few years and has invested in a mobile darkroom to enable on location tintype photography processing to make it accessible to interested members of the public.


Find The Tintype Traveller on Facebook.



Adventures in Tintype

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Tea & Tidings is on its way!

Those flying monkeys are at it again. Subscribers should have received their September newsletter.



This month there are a lot of pictures.


 










Tea & Tidings is on its way!

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Liptember: supporting mental health

September is Liptember! Help me support research, programs and services to help woman around Australia, whe breaking down stigma attached to mental health. Beneficiaries include The Royal Women’s Hospital, Lifeline, BATYR, R U OK? and others.



You can donate at: https://www.liptember.com.au/karencarlisle .



#WhatsOnYourMind #Liptember #kissawaytheblues










Liptember: supporting mental health

More Patron Rewards

This week my Patreon supporters received their short story reward, early access to more videos and my upcoming blog post.


Don’t miss out for October. Check out your rewards and pledge before the end of September.

#patreon


Photo: ©2019 Peter Stanley.


Become a Patron!




More Patron Rewards

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Do you want to meet Aunt Enid?

Okay, so it’s a steampunk festival… but Aunt Enid will still be there – or at least the first book will be.


I’ll have limited copies of Aunt Enid: Protector Extrordinaire, so don’t forget to pick up your copy early.



Adelaide Steampunk Festival: National Railways Museum, 14-15th September, 2019.



Do you want to meet Aunt Enid?

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Patreon Live Chat Date for September

I’ll be at the Adelaide Steampunk Festival for the second week of September… I’ve got a belated book launch, a talk AND I’m judging the costume parade. It’s going to be hectic!


So I don’t miss chatting to you, the September Live Chat will be on Saturday 7th from 11.30am to 1.30pm (Adelaide time).










Patreon Live Chat Date for September

Sunday, August 25, 2019

August Behind the Scenes Patreon Reward Posted

In this month’s behind the scenes I show some covers I’ve made, share some spoilers, discuss writing and researching ‘A Fey Tale’ (second Aunt Enid book), list future planned books, reveal short stories related to series, and show the video made for a tintype photoshoot for Adelaide Steampunk Festival, 2019.


If you want to join in next month, then pledge your support before the end of the month!


Become a Patron!










August Behind the Scenes Patreon Reward Posted

Saturday, August 17, 2019

'The Department of Curiosities' attends it's first event!

Next month I’ll be at the Adelaide Steampunk Festival and I’ll have copies of ‘The Department of Curiosities’ – the first book in my new series – for sale.



The Adelaide Steampunk Festival is the first event it’s been available for direct sales. Stop by the merchant row and pick up your copy.

If you want to make sure you don’t miss out on your copy, you can contact me to pre-pay and collect at the event.



 



'The Department of Curiosities' attends it's first event!

Monday, August 12, 2019

New steampunk-ish fantasy book cokming...

My friend Sharon has just posted her first book cover reveal (she commissioned me for the cover). Her book, Hemlock Soames and the Waterhorse, is scheduled for pre-Christmas release.



You can check out her pages at smkemmettwordtailor.wordpress.com  and on FB: facebook.com/smkemmettwordtailor/










New steampunk-ish fantasy book cokming...

Sunday, August 11, 2019

New CD cover for The Gadgeteer


When I’m not writing, I’m designing. Last month I was working on covers – book covers, CD covers.  It’s time to reveal the first of the new artwork.






This is the cover for the CD single/digital download for The Gadgeteer,  the song I co-wrote last year with Richard Ryall of Littmus Steampunk Band.  You will find the new cover in my shop where you can get your digital copy.







New CD cover for The Gadgeteer

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Patreon Live Chat Sneak Peek & Spoilers!

Today I chatted with my supporters about new steampunk hats, a recent steampunk photoshoot and book cover designs. We discussed upcoming books in my ‘to write list’, talked about a new  steampunk fantasy book series and I showed them sneak peek snippets of some upcoming bookcovers.


shhh…. SPOILERS!


If you want to join in next month, then pledge your support before the end of the month!


Become a Patron!










Patreon Live Chat Sneak Peek & Spoilers!

Friday, August 9, 2019

Steampunk Festival is just over a month away...


Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some of what I’ll have for you.


I’ll have all three books of the Adventures of Viola Stewart.



You can read more about Viola Stewart and her adventures here.




I’ll also have Viola, Men in Grey and Doctor Jack mugs (and tshirts)  

Buy all three books and you get a free eBook of Doctor Jack!

Limited numbers available at the Adelaide Steampunk Festival.



for more information or to pre-order to collect at the event.












Steampunk Festival is just over a month away...

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Latest Review: With a Twist of the Nib.

Sometimes you open your emails and get a pleasant surprise. In this case it was a link to the latest post on the book blog, Suz’s Space.


Suzie is one of my long-term supporters on Patreon. Not only did she write a quick review on my short story collection, With a Twist of the Nib, (a Patreon sign up reward), but she also plugged my Patreon page.


Much appreciated, Suzie.


You can read her review post on her blog HERE



Become a Patron!










Latest Review: With a Twist of the Nib.

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Down the Research Rabbit Hole...

I got excited on the weekend. I was catching up on some live chats by favourite authors and was reminded of some research books I had planned to get.


I bought a copy of Timelines of History. I finally found a cheap copy so I can write my series’ alternate timelines in it. I know, sacrilege, right? But so useful!







I also went looking for some Baedecker’s guides for future books. They have guides to various parts of the world from early 1800s onward. I would dearly love some hardcovers but the cheapest was almost three hundred dollars (and upward beyond six hundred). I really couldn’t afford that, so I found copies online at archive.org. I love this site!






And hence the downward slide deeper into the rabbit hole began. I’ve now got copies of guides for England, London, Northern Italy and France and Egypt, dated from 1883 to 1898…




All of which will be useful for planned books. I won’t tell you which books yet!


This post was shared with Patreons on 25th June, 2019.













Down the Research Rabbit Hole...

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Another Patreon Reward Delivered

Adventure Extraordinaire and Time Traveller level patrons received A Winter’s Tale, their exclusive monthly short story reward, this week.


You can check out details of the short story reward and others at #Patreon.


Become a Patron!










Another Patreon Reward Delivered

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Today's Live Chat

Today I chatted to my Patreon supporters about book covers, future video live streams,  music, art, books on my ‘to write’ list, and ‘A Fey Tale’ (the next Aunt Enid Mystery book)…


Yes, there were some spoilers and cover sneak peeks. 


Become a Patron!










Today's Live Chat

New Steampunk Festival in NSW!

Hey Aussie steampunks! There’s a new festival in Wilberforce, NSW called Teslafest.  (Why can’t they be closer?!)

Check out the info at: https://teslafestaustralia.com/about-teslafest/

If you go, please share pics and let me know what it’s like (just a little envious here).









New Steampunk Festival in NSW!

Saturday, July 13, 2019

Today my #patreon supporters got a first look at the new Aunt Enid Mysteries book cover for ‘A Fey Tale’ and a Behind the Scenes video on how the cover was made.



Become a Patron!