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:

  • ‘What if?’: A Beginner’s Guide to Speculative Fiction – includes 3 writing exercises/workshop
  • The Catharsis of Writing – how writing helps me live with anxiety and PTSD
  • The History of Steampunk
  • Self Publishing, From an Australian Perspective
  • Costumes in Writing: Mid-16th Century Florentine Female Clothing and Accessories
  • Costumes in Writing: Late 19th Century Victorian Female Clothing
  • Plotting – for Non-Plotters  (“How to write…”)
  • Creating Your Own Steampunk World or Persona. (How to create your own world – for writers, comic book creators and costumer/cosplayers)

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 has been active in steampunk since 2007.  Her Victorian steampunk mystery series, The Adventures of Viola Stewart trilogy, was completed in 2017, and she recently published the first books in the paranormal/fantasy mystery series, The Aunt Enid Mysteries, and a second steampunk series, The Department of Curiosities.

She has been a tabletop roleplayer since 1978, an active costumer and science fiction convention attendee for over three decades, and involved in historical re-enactment since 1994, with a special interest in mid-16th century Florentine clothing and accessories.

Karen has been a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism since 1994. 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.

She has a Bachelor Applied Science in Optometry and worked with children for much of her career.

Karen  is a devoted Doctor Who fan (and willing to talk endlessly on the subject).

Next talk is at:

  • Nullus Anxietas 9 : 13-15th July. Karen is a guest author and will be doing talks, workshop, panels, Q&A session and Klatches at this yea’s Australian Discworld Convention in Adelaide.

Karen has previously spoken at:

  • 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)

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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).