There’s something very compelling about survivor stories. Probably because we all have moments when we wonder what we would do if … any number of things happened to us.

In this new series hosted by Charisma Carpenter, we get to hear  stories from women who’ve survived violent attacks.

The series begins with Charisma’s own personal recount of fighting back when she and some friends were attacked in San Diego by a then police officer.

You only have to spend a moment speaking with Charisma (and her wonderful mum) to know that she’s a woman with enormous spirit and perfect to host this kind of show. I wish her the best of luck with it, I have a feeling it will be incredibly successful …

SURVIVING EVIL (from TV Mole)
Featuring dramatically and emotional stories of women who fought back against their attackers and survived against
amazing odds, SURVIVING EVIL is hosted by Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel.) Carpenter is the survivor of a real-life incident that she endured more than 20 years ago and the series begins with her story. The actress and two friends were swimming at San Diego’s Torrey Pines State Beach in 1991 when they were violently attacked by an armed, rogue police officer. Carpenter fought for her survival after being held at gunpoint, but her two friends were both shot by the attacker and seriously wounded. The police officer was sentenced to 56 years in prison for the attacks in addition to a series of rapes and robberies.

Charisma tells TV Line: 

“It’s about empowerment, about victims who take fate into their own hands and rescue themselves, or seek justice and find it,” Carpenter says of I Survived Evil‘s mission. “It’s about heroes, stories of survival. And happy endings.”

Now I’ve had a day to get my brain back in order, I wanted to add a few things and thank a bunch of people. Firstly a HUGE shout out to Belinda Hamilton who supported my library visit, my book signing at Pulp Fiction and Supanova. She is an absolute trooper! I love her to bits. Cels Jansink also brought her mum and son to my Vicky Point library event on Thursday night. I really appreciated her support, and to see Robbie Kirk and Ruth and Loretta Cohen there as well. Karen Tyrell dropped by the store on the weekend, as did other Visionaries including Ben Payne and Arun. Missy and Fel (my Supa-girls) were fantastic as always and very accommodating with my son and his BFF who came up on Sunday. Bob Dobson and Trent Jamieson plotted a sock puppet convention.

Highlights for me were the Forlorn Gaze and Sheldon D’Arc‘s (damn photo’s too blurry to post!) performance (Jud you should be acting!), seeing Charisma Carpenter again, meeting the gentlemanly Tahmoh Penikett, having all my Brisnova readers come and tell me their news of the last year, Trent’s opening ceremony moment of risque, the Birdee bar conversations with Peter Budd (Apollo Awards), Ian Irvine and Lionel Midford (Publicist) and having Harshini watching our back at the Dymocks stall. (Sandra and Ineke were great bookseller hosts and had lots of our stock)

Rewind to Friday night: Beau at Pulp Fiction was fab and I got to have some lovely catch ups with peeps, namely Maree Kimberley, Azra Alagic, Yasmina Spiros, Rachel and Matt, Alex Adsett. YAY to you all!

Where to start. Ok … well … record numbers for the weekend which meant lots of people to talk to and difficulty getting from ‘a’ to ‘b’. Saturday I had a stomach ache all day which made me a tad grumpy, but the good company cheered me up. My panel with Rowena on The Author as a Brand was well attended and the audience had lots of good questions. I got to chat to Charisma Carpenter who I love to bits (sad her mum didn’t come too). The green room was packed with happy talkative guests and I enjoyed a few words with Tahmoh Penikett about Vancouver and the lovely Leah Gibson who is one of the most beautiful souls I’ve ever met.

Survived the stomach pain thanks to Trent Jamieson having some panadol and went back to the hotel to get ready for the cocktail party. More good conversations with Ian Irvine, Lionel Midford and Peter Budd that evening. Then home when my voice began to hurt from shouting over the music.

I felt good on Sunday which was a relief and had fun watching the amazing cosplay. As you can see Catwoman and I had a moment. Other standouts for me were Captain Jack, Predator, Darth Vader and some of the steampunk. I also got a chance to finally speak to Robin Hobb, who is a charming lady. The day finished with a solid chin wag with Jenny Fallon about writing things. More thoughts when I get the rest of the pictures.