FEATHERS AND FLAME by Kathryn Carlisle

Feathers and Flame: Poetry of Australian Landscapes and Personal Transformation

A heartfelt collection that intertwines the beauty of Australian wildlife, international locations and personal growth. It reveals emotional truths, inviting readers to explore the process of healing through nature.

Observing nature, especially how animals and birds interact and give unconditionally, provides moments of stillness, enabling deep gratitude and peace. 

Learn more about Kathryn (Kate) Carlisle and her work at https://kcarlisleauthor.com/

 

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

• About Feathers and Flame and the Inspiration Behind the Collection – Kate shares how nature walks, personal memories, and her experience in the Australian Defence Force inspired this deeply reflective and healing body of work.

• Writing as a Path to Healing – Through poetry and journaling, Kate explored grief, self-forgiveness, and emotional transformation, using stillness in nature to process past experiences and reconnect with herself.

• Themes, Style, and Visuals – The collection blends short poems, longer reflections, and full-color landscape photography to create a layered, sensory storytelling experience grounded in emotion and place.

• Author Readings: “Mirror Me” and “Storm” – Kate reads two poems aloud, one reflecting on self-acceptance (Mirror Me), and another capturing the destructive and renewing force of nature (Storm).

• What’s Next for Kate – She’s continuing to write, including poems from the perspective of animals, and is considering turning Feathers and Flame into an audiobook.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate Carlisle spent her early years in various regions of Australia, sometimes in a double-decker bus and a caravan, travelling across New South Wales, South Australia, north Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. During the family's travels, Kate learned to write by listing all the creeks and rivers they crossed in a notebook. This unique background, filled with diverse landscapes and experiences, shaped her experiences and writing. It instilled a deep appreciation for nature and a sense of adaptability that would later help her heal.

Kate served in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for almost 39 years. At 16, she joined the Royal Australian Navy as an apprentice Electronics Technician, her formative year. After 10 years, she transitioned to the Royal Australian Air Force, serving nationally and overseas, separating in March 2023. Throughout her career, Kate found solace in writing, using it to express herself. She wrote about her experiences in the ADF, the challenges she faced, and the moments of triumph. Her writing served as a form of self-expression and a way to connect with others who might be going through similar experiences.

As a veteran, Kate completed the ADF Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills program, which helps build confidence and resilience in people experiencing health and wellbeing challenges related to service in the ADF. Kate found joy and an unlimited opportunity for healing through creative writing, and combined this with her love for nature and the outdoors. When at home, Kate spends time in the Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve, a space that Kate loves and uses to connect and experience the profound healing power of nature.    

CONNECT WITH KATE CARLISLE

Website:  https://kcarlisleauthor.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.carlisle.148 LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/kate-c-40702b9a Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kate1_carlisle?igsh=MThnZmVtbzR5M2llaw==