Talks/Workshops

Karen J Carlisle is a speculative fiction writer of steampunk, gaslamp, Victorian mysteries and fantasy. She is available for speaking engagements at conferences, libraries, schools, organisations and community groups, and online engagements via Zoom or Skype.
Her rates are reasonable and negotiable. Karen is based in Adelaide.

Current speaking topics include:

On Writing & Research:

  • Twisting History – how I wove my own childhood memories, legends and Adelaide history into The Aunt Enid Mysteries, my fantasy mystery series set in Adelaide.
  • Sir Arthur comes to Adelaide – my research on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s visit to Adelaide in 1920.
  • A Foot in Both Worlds: The Victorian’s obsession with entertainment, superstition and science.
  • The Catharsis of Writing – how writing helps me live with anxiety and CPTSD.
  • Self Publishing, From an Australian Perspective
  • Plotting – for Non-Plotters  (“How to write a…”)
  • ‘What if?’: A Beginner’s Guide to Speculative Fiction – includes 3 writing exercises/workshop
  • The History of Steampunk
  • Creating Your Own Steampunk World or Persona. (How to create your own world – for writers, comic book creators and costumer/cosplayers)
  • Costumes in Writing: Mid-16th Century Florentine Female Clothing and Accessories
  • Costumes in Writing: Late 19th Century Victorian Female Clothing

On Costuming/Steampunk:

  • Exploring Steampunk: A primer on steampunk and steampunk costuming
  • Steampunk Parasol Duelling – Workshop/Demo
  • Costumes in Detail: Mid-16th Century Florentine Female Clothing and Accessories
  • Creating Your Own Steampunk World or Persona. (How to create your own world – for writers, comic book creators and costumer/cosplayers)

About the presenter:

Karen J Carlisle is an indie author and illustrator of steampunk, Victorian mysteries, fantasy, and cosies with a twist, with five series currently published.
Her short stories have featured in the 2016 Adelaide Fringe exhibition, ‘A Trail of Tales’, ‘Where’s Holmes?’, ‘Deadsteam’, and ‘Sherlock is a Girl’s Name’ anthologies. She was short-listed in Australian Literature Review’s 2013 Murder/Mystery Short Story Competition.

Karen has been active in steampunk since 2007, a tabletop roleplayer since 1978, and is a devoted Doctor Who fan (and willing to talk endlessly on the subject). She’s attended science fiction/fantasy conventions for over four decades, and involved in historical re-enactment since 1994, with a special interest in mid-16th century Florentine clothing and accessories. She attended the Florence 2008 Costume Symposium: Janet Arnold Tribute, with lectures by Roberta Orsi Landini and the conservators of the Laboratorio Centro Restauri Tesseli, Pisa.

Karen has a Bachelor Applied Science in Optometry and worked with children for much of her career, before retiring due to CPTSD and chronic pain.
She lives in Adelaide with her family and the ghost of her ancient Devon Rex cat.

She loves dark chocolate and rarely refuses a cup of tea.

Next talk is at:

  • tbc

Karen has previously spoken at:

  • Nullus Anxietas 10 Australian Discworld Convention, Sydney: 10-12th April, 2026. Karen was a ‘Big Job Guest’ author. She sat on the ‘Magic in Fantasy’ panel, was a judge for the Maskerade, hosted a klatch, and did a talk on Basics of Worldbuilding.  (April, 2026)
  • Wild Wild West Con 13.5 (online): Karen joined steampunk authors Jeremy A Reynolds and David Lee Summers for an Author Q&A.(May, 2025) Video link tbc.
  • Nullus Anxietas 9 : Karen was a guest author, doing talks, workshop, panels, Q&A session and Klatches at the 2024 Australian Discworld Convention in Adelaide. (July, 2024)
  • Concept to Creation author panel – Oz Comic Con (Adelaide) with Adelaide indie authors R Max Tillsley, Stefanie Dawn, Katie Fraser and Matt J Pike. (2024)
  • Talking Steampunk – guest speaker Wimmera Steampunk Festival, Dimboola (steampunk primer/author talk) (2023)
  • A Foot in Both Worlds: The Victorian’s obsession with entertainment, superstition and science.  Adelaide Steampunk Aetherfest guest speaker. Theme: Carnivale. (Sept, 2022)
  • Author Panel – Adelaide Steampunk Aetherfest guest speaker. (Sept, 2022)
  • Steampunk and the Other “Punk” Subgenres panel (July, 2022) The Authortube Writing Conference – author panel on aspects of, and writing different ‘punk’ genres.
  • A Beginner’s Guide to Speculative Fiction – talk for Northeast Writers, Tea Tree Gully, South Australia. (21st April, 2022)
  • 100th Anniversary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s visit to Adelaide/ Book launch of A Fey Tale. – Book 2 in The Aunt Enid Mysteries (set in Adelaide, during his visit in 1920). Tea Tree Gully Library/Book launch. (8th Dec, 2021)

Exploring Steampunk1500x500

Rates (in person/online):

Per Talk: AU$250 (plus GST).
Engagement includes: approx. 45-60 minutes – includes talk and question/demonstration time.

Per Workshop: AU$250 (plus GST)
Engagement includes: approx 60 minutes of workshop/discussion

Per Day: AU$600 (plus GST) per day (3 talks max)
Engagement includes: Up to three talks – approx. 45-60 minutes – includes talk and question/demo time.

Note: Travel costs may be incurred for travel outside of metropolitan Adelaide for in person engagements.

Special arrangements can be made for community and non-profit groups.

To book Karen for a speaking engagement for libraries, organisations or schools,
please contact me
(subject: Speaking Engagment).