This article was first published in March 2016… and finally the research has found its home.
I first used aspects of the Lady Alice Mine in ‘All the Glitters’, a short story in the steampunk anthology, Den of Antiquity, 2016. ISBN: 978-0995276727
And now, after almost four years of bubbling in my brain, A Fey Tale instroduces Aunt Enid’s latest acquaintance, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle…
Read The Serendipity of Procrasti-Research
With the second book in the Aunt Enid mystery series due later in the year, I thought I’d let you meet Aunt Enid – or re-introduce you, if you’ve already met her.
In 2018, when the first Aunt Enid novel was released, I did an interview for N.O.A. Rawle on her blog, Through the Eyes of a Stranger.
We chatted about steampunk, bees, garden gnomes and Aunt Enid herself. N.O.A. wasn’t a wasn’t a huge fan of garden gnomes, but I believe she’s warmed up to them now.
So, sit down. Have a cup of tea and a lemon-buttered scone, and re-read the interview HERE
You can find the link for my intro video for the Literary stream of Sanctuary Online 2020 (the online Lincoln Asylum event) HERE – on The Ministry of Steampunk’s youTube channel.It’s scheduled for 29th August at 10pm (Aussie time). Don’t forget to subscribe and set your reminder for the premier!
SANCTUARY ONLINE 2020 is online 28th – 30th August (UK time): Due to Covid lockdowns in the UK, the Asylum is running an online event with a Literary stream, Music and more. I’ve been accepted to be part of the line up of steampunk authors! I’ll be doing an intro video and a Q&A sesssion. (And my books will be available online) So watch this space for info on the schedule!
It’s been a tough year.
I’ve been visited by the Black Dog all too often over the past months. He usually bays at the door, sniffs around my feet,and leaves. This time he’s curled around my legs, only relenting on occasion, to stretch his legs for a while. But there seems no reprieve. He keeps returning, curling tighter.
I’ve not dipped into depression often. Oh, it’s tried to pull me down but the anxiety usually kicks in. I try to distract myself, keep busy, and ride it out. This year it’s been much harder to ignore.
Whether it’s the Covid situation, racial hate, friends’ heartaches, personal issues, feeling trapped in my own house – I don’t know. Maybe all of them have conspired against me? Being an empath personality sucks; I take on the emotions of others – great for writing, but plays hell on my own mental health. It’s exhausting.
But I trudge along, trying to fulfil my promises, to provide you the rewards you deserve. You are all amazing! Words are mulling around in my head. So many stories trying to burst into the world… but they are stifled, dragged back by that mongrel dog.
I suppose it’s all grist for the writers’ mill, as they say. But it’s hell at the moment. I need to finish this book. Too many characters want their story told. I want – no, NEED – to share it with others. To prove I deserve your support. To prove I can still do it. To prove I’m useful. To prove my right to exist.
In the meantime, I’m researching marketing, transferring eBooks, trying to wrangle recalcitrant computers to sort out this month’s Behind the Scenes and video live chats for my Patreon supporters… while consuming excessive amounts of dark chocolate.
And feeling thankful I have supporters who believe in me.
What all of this also means for my readers is my current book release will be delayed.
My official book launch was originally planned to co-incide with a talk on the 100th anniversary of Arthur Conan Doyle’s visit to Adelaide. Due to Covid event restrictions, this will now be delayed, possibly to October or November.
With the second wave in Victoria, there will also be delays in printing of paperbacks due to level 4 restrictions and possible business closures. At this stage there is a tentative date for October – November, 2020.
In the meantime, please stay healthy, wear a mask, and stay safe.
*This post was shared with Patreon supporters on 23rd July, 2020.
