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

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!

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.

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...

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?

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.

November Shout Out

November Shout Out

Shout out to my Patreon Supporters

#ThankYouPatrons #thankyoupatronday

Shout out to my Patreon Supporters

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

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

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!

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

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...

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!

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!

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?

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

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

'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

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!

October Patreon Shout Out!

October Patreon Shout Out!

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

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

Need a new Halloween read?

The Adventures of Viola Stewart series.

Need a new Halloween read?

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!

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

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

Another Patron Reward Delivered!

The September Behind the Scenes Video for my Patreon supporters is now live.

Thank you, all!

Become a Patron!

Another Patron Reward Delivered!

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!

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

Adelaide Steampunk Festival in the Newspaper!

…with yours truely! Do I look excited? (The photographer posed us.)

Portside Messenger.

Adelaide Steampunk Festival in the Newspaper!

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!

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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