About Karen

Dr. Karen Hughes, author of the Kalika Magic series, draws on a fascinating background to create her richly imagined fantasy worlds. Her childhood, spent on a 6000-acre wheat and cattle station on the Liverpool Plains, instilled a deep love for the Australian landscape and a strong connection to nature, which is reflected in the vivid imagery and natural settings that permeate her writing. Growing up, she spent her days climbing trees, riding horses, and immersing herself in the enchanting literary worlds of Narnia, Middle Earth and Earthsea, a formative influence that sparked her passion for myth and magic.

Karen's early education was unique, starting at a tiny bush primary school with just six pupils before transitioning to the strict confines of an all-girls Anglican boarding school at the age of twelve. While this move opened up many educational and social opportunities, her intense homesickness revealed her true values—the importance of family and connection with the land.

After studying Law and Asian Studies at the Australian National University, she practiced business and corporate law in Canberra for nearly a decade. Thankfully, she has since found her true calling, embracing her creative spirit and leaving behind the legal world. Karen holds a PhD in English, where she delved into the exploration of spiritual themes in speculative fiction. This academic pursuit not only improved her research skills and sharpened her critical thinking, but also gave her a deep respect for the contributions of teachers, editors, and other creative professionals.

Beyond her personal literary achievements, Karen is a dedicated mentor and advocate for fellow writers. She is the founder and director of Hunter Valley Writers, an organisation that delivers creative writing workshops across Australia, nurturing aspiring authors and sharing her expertise. She is also the director of Ironbark Retreat, a bush sanctuary that fosters creative inspiration and personal growth.

Currently, Karen is immersed in the final edits of Gaba Gali, a compelling work of philosophical science fiction that also served as the creative component of her PhD. This project explores complex ideas and pushes the boundaries of the genre, further solidifying her reputation as a visionary storyteller.

Karen is represented by Jeanne Ryckmans at Key People Creative Management.

About Karen

Dr. Karen Hughes, author of the Kalika Magic series, draws on a fascinating background to create her richly imagined fantasy worlds. Her childhood, spent on a 6000-acre wheat and cattle station on the Liverpool Plains, instilled a deep love for the Australian landscape and a strong connection to nature, which is reflected in the vivid imagery and natural settings that permeate her writing. Growing up, she spent her days climbing trees, riding horses, and immersing herself in the enchanting literary worlds of Narnia, Middle Earth and Earthsea, a formative influence that sparked her passion for myth and magic.

Karen's early education was unique, starting at a tiny bush primary school with just six pupils before transitioning to the strict confines of an all-girls Anglican boarding school at the age of twelve. While this move opened up many educational and social opportunities, her intense homesickness revealed her true values—the importance of family and connection with the land.

After studying Law and Asian Studies at the Australian National University, she practiced business and corporate law in Canberra for nearly a decade. Thankfully, she has since found her true calling, embracing her creative spirit and leaving behind the legal world. Karen holds a PhD in English, where she delved into the exploration of spiritual themes in speculative fiction. This academic pursuit not only improved her research skills and sharpened her critical thinking, but also gave her a deep respect for the contributions of teachers, editors, and other creative professionals.

Beyond her personal literary achievements, Karen is a dedicated mentor and advocate for fellow writers. She is the founder and director of Hunter Valley Writers, an organisation that delivers creative writing workshops across Australia, nurturing aspiring authors and sharing her expertise. She is also the director of Ironbark Retreat, a bush sanctuary that fosters creative inspiration and personal growth.

Currently, Karen is immersed in the final edits of Gaba Gali, a compelling work of philosophical science fiction that also served as the creative component of her PhD. This project explores complex ideas and pushes the boundaries of the genre, further solidifying her reputation as a visionary storyteller.

Karen is represented by Jeanne Ryckmans at Key People Creative Management.

Praise for Gaba Gali ...

"The McKenna family is haunted by its past: the grandfather’s suicide, the mother’s mental illness. These events are an unspoken source of pain and dysfunction for siblings, Tess, Jordy and Kayla. Their path to healing these deep, inherited wounds gives the narrative a powerful sense of catharsis and hope. This story isn't just about escaping to a new world; it's about healing the old one."
"The way characters merge with their alternate-timeline selves was a brilliant and original take on character growth. Seeing Kayla and Jordy absorb the experiences and pain of their other selves, and thus become more whole, is a concept I've never encountered before. It’s a literal, physical manifestation of becoming the sum of all your experiences."
"I was fascinated by the way you wove together past lives, parallel timelines, and shifting dimensions. It wasn't just a plot device; it felt like the very fabric of the story. The journey from Kayla’s confusing 'seizures' to the final understanding of Terra and the multiverse was a masterclass in expanding a story’s scope, and it made me question my own perceptions of reality."


"This story is for readers who love to ask big questions and are drawn to narratives that blend the spiritual with the scientific. I imagine it connecting deeply with people who enjoy authors like David Mitchell or Ursula K. Le Guin, who appreciate intricate world-building and character-driven drama alongside philosophical exploration. It’s for anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t quite fit in, or who has wondered if there’s more to reality than what we can see."

Praise for Gaba Gali ...

"The McKenna family is haunted by its past: the grandfather’s suicide, the mother’s mental illness. These events are an unspoken source of pain and dysfunction for siblings, Tess, Jordy and Kayla. Their path to healing these deep, inherited wounds gives the narrative a powerful sense of catharsis and hope. This story isn't just about escaping to a new world; it's about healing the old one."
"The way characters merge with their alternate-timeline selves was a brilliant and original take on character growth. Seeing Kayla and Jordy absorb the experiences and pain of their other selves, and thus become more whole, is a concept I've never encountered before. It’s a literal, physical manifestation of becoming the sum of all your experiences."
"I was fascinated by the way you wove together past lives, parallel timelines, and shifting dimensions. It wasn't just a plot device; it felt like the very fabric of the story. The journey from Kayla’s confusing 'seizures' to the final understanding of Terra and the multiverse was a masterclass in expanding a story’s scope, and it made me question my own perceptions of reality."

"This story is for readers who love to ask big questions and are drawn to narratives that blend the spiritual with the scientific. I imagine it connecting deeply with people who enjoy authors like David Mitchell or Ursula K. Le Guin, who appreciate intricate world-building and character-driven drama alongside philosophical exploration. It’s for anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t quite fit in, or who has wondered if there’s more to reality than what we can see."