Deadsteam II

There’s a new anthology out today, just in time for Halloween. Deadsteam II is the second dreadpunk/steampunk anthology by Grimmer & Grimmer Books, with thirteen more dark stories.

I was asked to join the ranks of fellow returning authors, James Dorr, Bryce Raffle, Ross Smeltzer, C.C. Adams, E. Seneca, and Rob Francis, and David Lee Summers, as well as welcoming new authors to the fold. This time, I have a longer short story; , following Doctor Jack/ James Findlay (The Adventures of Viola Stewart) after he boarded that ship to Australia. (Haven’t read it, check it out here: eBook/ Paperback

Just when you thought the nightmare was over, what was dead comes crawling back from the beyond. We warned you not to open that fateful tome. But you just couldn’t resist, could you?

Back with more chilling tales of the dark and supernatural, the anthology of dreadpunk, gaslamp, and dark steampunk returns to haunt you with mummies, witches, vampires, gorgons, ghosts. The second installment in the DeadSteam series from Grimmer & Grimmer Books, DeadSteam II promises an even darker, grimmer gothic than the first offering.

DeadSteam II includes stories by DeadSteam alumni David Lee Summers (Owl Dance, The Brazen Shark), Karen J Carlisle (The Adventures of Viola Stewart), Bryce Raffle, Ross Smeltzer, C.C. Adams, E. Seneca, and Rob Francis, while also introducing newcomers to the DeadSteam series.

If you should sense someone lurking down by the river, some thing creeping through the forest, a sound from the attic, a strange pattern in the wallpaper that shouldn’t be there, a cold gust of wind on your neck…don’t look back. Just run. Run as far as you can

But know this…we’re still here.

Where to buy your copy:

Kobo / Amazon/ and other online stores.

You can find the first Deadsteam anthology here.

Deadsteam II

Write Now! Salisbury Writers Festival Video

Last month was busy – here’s the first video, from Salisbury’s ‘Write Now!’ writing festival (one day this year – and one the few live events I attended this year.) I got to catch up with @tara_jenkinsonauthor

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[#imageDescription: An electronic notice board (with blue background) shows the talks at Salisbury Write Now!, I September. The board is at the top of stairs I the mezzanine if Salisbury Library.]

Write Now! Salisbury Writers Festival Video

Conquest - Brisbane SFF convention - Next weekend

Dates and panel info for 2021 Conquest, Brisbane (online + live event)

I’ve had confirmation of panel times for Conquest since making this video.

• Sat 23rd Oct – 1.15 pm (Brisbane time) – Guest Author Talk


• Sun 24th Oct – 1.15 pm (Brisbane time) – I’m on the Doctor Who Panel

Contact Conquest to find out how to attend the online events –

• contact@101010productions.com


• or http://scifi-awards.com/wp/contact/


• https://www.facebook.com/ConquestSciFiMediaClub

Conquest - Brisbane SFF convention - Next weekend

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)

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Research Oops... A Fey Tale Update