October Patreon Shout Out

Thank you to my amazing Patreon supporters, especially Kellie Kininmont William J Jackson @railroadcity Marion Anderson and Joanne Van Raaphorst @jo_vr_pics

Join us at:

https://www.patreon.com/KarenJCarlisle

Stay safe.

October Patreon Shout Out

You can now buy me a cup of tea on Ko-fi

I know you love supporting indie authors and creators – who doesn’t?

But, you’re not keen on committing monthly to Patreon?

Now you can buy me a cup of tea (or some chocolate) by tipping me on Ko-fi. Just follow this link:

or fill in the blanks below:

You can now buy me a cup of tea on Ko-fi

Foiled Again! An apology, and an explanation.

I haven’t posted much here over the past months. But I’m back… for a quick post before disappearing down a rabbit hole again.

The past year (plus) has been a rough ride; first Covid-19 hit, with lockdowns, restrictions, and anxiety. Lots of anxiety.  You know. You were there too. It’s been hard on all of us. For many creatives, it’s been hard to concentrate. To be honest, 2020 was a complete write off (pardon the pun)  for me, and my book.

As 2020 progressed, my health crumbled – first with my existing chronic pain, then recurring breathing issues, and utter exhaustion. I put on a lot (and I mean A LOT) of weight (partly due to health issues, partly due to stress and comfort eating). My breathing issues got worse  –  culminating in the need for assistance at night (via a CPAP machine.)

The new year approached. The pain got worse. I ended up in hospital with yet another scare (most likely a panic attack… but…) Something had to give.

I’ve been working hard since then. I’m eating healthier. Getting some exercise. I’ve lost 25 kg. My breathing has improved (at least during the day).  I rescheduled the tentative publication date for my current WIP novel, A Fey Tale, and  hunkered down to finish it. A mammoth task. The first draft ballooned out to almost 100,000 words (book 1 was 65,000), so I have to cut at least 20,000 words. I kept going, and finally it seemed I was winning. Even then, this book will be longer than book one. I’ll have to rethink the RRP – more pages, means increased print and post cost. Those who’ve already pre-ordered got a good deal.

But, when was it ever that easy?

Just over a month ago, it all started to fall apart. Again. First, bad news about a family member. (Cancer sucks!) Emotional hell. My iron levels fell. More exhaustion. Drop in concentration. The writing slowed to a trickle.  Next, pains in my chest (how does one tell what’s ‘usual’ with floating chronic pain, stabbing and muscle cramps), and a weird thrumming pain in my chest muscles. Trip number 2 to the hospital, a doctor’s referral, and I’m at the cardiologist.

And now I’m off for more tests and a 24-hour heart monitor. Something about atrial fibrillation… Needs checking. Is my anaemia contributing? Is the breathing machine adding to the issue?

Cue even more anxiety. LOTS of anxiety. All the tea and chocolate in the world won’t help this one.

So that’s where I’m at now. I have appointments every day this week. More next week. Second Covid vaccination on Saturday. A necessity if the diagnosis holds true.  (Some background on Covid and atrial fibrillation) (Feckin’ Covid. Please wear a mask!)

And why am I posting all this?

Because you all deserve an explanation. I feel I’ve let my readers down. I’m struggling to work through rewrites of A Fey Tale. I am getting there. Slowly. Very slowly.

I’d hoped to have paperbacks ready for September’s Adelaide Steampunk Festival but, in reality (and especially if the test results aren’t good), it doesn’t look likely at this point. I’ve posted updates to my Patreon supporters, and those who pre-ordered the book. I’ll try, but there’s only so many (non-exhausted) hours in the day.

So there it is. My life at the moment.

I can’t apologise enough. I hope you’ll forgive me.

Foiled Again! An apology, and an explanation.

Research Oops... A Fey Tale Update

One of the things I do during the first, major developmental rewrite of my books is to follow up on my ‘TK’ (notation to do later) notes and research. Usually I’ll have done some initial research (enough to write the first draft). Sometimes I’ll have just jotted something down with a note to ‘TK check this later and rewrite if needed‘.

I’m currently writing the ‘ball’ scene of chapter (now) twelve – just before the final ‘major characters missing each other’ before the final confrontation scene. It’s a Thursday night, the day before Sir Arthur Conan Doyle leaves by train, to continue his lecture tour in Melbourne. Thursday nights at the Palais Royal were traditionally ‘Fancy Dress Carnival’ night, each with different themes.

I’d umm-ed and ahh-ed about the fancy dress theme I to use for the dance. ‘Famous couples‘ was the on-the-fly idea, and the first draft was written with that in mind.

Today I decided to sift through Trove (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/2720792) concentrating on The Register and The Advertiser Adelaide newspapers. The photos below are some of the references I found to The Palais Royal (circled), showing the week’s theme was ‘Baby Week‘. Oh, dear. Why didn’t I look this up earlier?

Now, I could just ignore the newspapers and go with the ‘Famous Couples’ theme, or rejig the chapter to reflect the historical one. Yes, I know it’s a fantasy cosy mystery but, my brain keeps screaming at me to at least try to give a nod to the facts… (I’m just that kind of person.)

I’ve also highlighted the newspaper advert reminding me that Doyle’s last lecture was on the afternoon before the dance/ball. That’s a simple task of a few sentences to fix in the previous chapter…

All in all, not a biggie but I’ve got some thinking to do today.

(This post was originally posted for my Patreon supporters on 17th July, 2021. Higher level  Patreons will see a sneak peek of this scene as part of their short story reward)

To support me on Patreon, follow this link:

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Research Oops... A Fey Tale Update

A Fey Tale Pre-order & signings Update

You’ve all been very patient with the shifting release schedule for A Fey Tale.

First there was Covid…

Now, due to unforeseen family/personal reasons (on which I will post at a later date when my head comes to terms with it), A Fey Tale will be rescheduled to late August release at the earliest. The first event paperbacks will be available at is September’s Adelaide Steampunk Festival.

As a reward for my very patient readers, I’ve decided to try something new.

I’ll be Zooming live to have a short chat with those who have pre-ordered A Fey Tale, and will sign (and number) their books and bookplates. This is the first time I’ve done this, so I’m wrapping my head around the logistics and technology. I’ve also extended Australian pre-orders to 30 July, 2021. You can order here: website bookshop.

Zoom details will be sent later, to those who have pre-ordered.

Patrons of the Adventurer Extraordinaire tier and above will also be invited to a personal Zoom and signing. 

For the Adventurer Extraordinaire tier  – who get an eBook –  will receive a signed ‘A Fey Tale’ postcard in the mail, as well as your digital reward. Patrons of Time Traveller tier and above will receive the signed paperback.

A Fey Tale Pre-order & signings Update

World Chocolate Day - Wed 7th July.

This month is all about chocolate – Wed 7th being World Chocolate Day! And I’m off to Haighs.

As you know,  I’ve been in research mode as I knuckle down with  A Fey Tales rewrites. I’ve just finished revisiting previous chocolate history research. It all started in 2016, when researching for Doctor Jack. The question was ”Would Henry really eat chocolate cake? Was it available in 1889??‘ You can find the answer here:

• Could Henry Really Eat Chocolate Cake? (August, 2016)


• Latest Chocolate Research (some health benefits of dark chocolate – May 2017)


• Photo Friday: Chocolate at the Heritage Museum (A research trip for a exhibition on chocolate history. 2017. Reposted 2020.)

This time round, I could extend my recipe research to 1920. I already had a hardcover facsimile of The Common-sense Cookery Book (Australia,  1914) –  for the original recipes for ‘crispies’ (Anazc biscuits),  and a paperback reprint of Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management, for the Devils Food Cake recipe (1902).

I’ve ordered a copy of Mrs. Rorer’s New Cook Book: A Manual of Housekeeping by Sarah Tyson Rorer. (early 1900s) for more contemporary chocolate cake recipes.

Here’s some recipe videos I prepared earlier….

• Dark Chocolate Strawberry Brownies
  
  (and the recipe video on my youTube channel)
  
  


•  Chocolate Mug Cake (Recipe Video on my youTube channel)

(This post was posted earlier for Patreon supporters, and newsletter subscribers)

World Chocolate Day - Wed 7th July.

Conquest meeting Live NO

4th July: AUSFW One-day online Discoworld Con. I’m joining the Streamyard Conquest meeting – chatting about the upcoming Conquest con in October, and the online content.

Live now 

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=1527110197648944&ref=watch_permalink

Conquest meeting Live NO