Rachel's Events

Events

Ginsights

Canberra

6 February 2025

Bright Future Community Centre Nepal

Isabel Armer is a remarkable Melbourne woman and octogenarian with a vision that became Bright Future Community Centre, Kapan, Kathmandu… BFCC supports a health clinic, a sewing and computer school, homework help, adult education in English and covering school fees for 70 children, many living in shanties in nearby districts. A key support player and teacher is my Melbourne based cousin Gail Dobson, see the video of her in action.

We had the honour of visiting BFCC and helping with butterfly making and story telling. For some, the first time they had shared their writing out aloud…

Then a tour of Kapan where Isabel the rocket left us behind during the uphill walks! Paper making, rugs, leprosy craft centre, wonderful day

Katmandu Writing Academy
writing workshop

Sun kissing the snow

A silver sky

Ice falling from clouds

Happy but sad

The earth beneath me

I hear birds and pine cones falling…

It was an unforgettable morning…listening to the breathtaking stories from students, guides and a pilot at the
Nepal
Mountain Academy, a renowned government training institution for mountain climbers.

Around 45 people gathered for our writing workshop about family, nature and getting to the top. After some shyness there were readings and lots of cheers!

It was a new experience for the cohort.

Thanks to my Nepal travel buddies Kate and Liz for class support and the warm welcome from Nepal’s minister for Arts and Mountaineering Tanka Prasad Paudel.

Excited to join this brilliant line-up of authors at Ginsights 2025, in partnership with the Canberra Writers Festival,Paperchain Bookstore and Marion Writers!

I’ll be kicking things off on February 6th, with a fun conversation with the wonderful Susan Helyar, about lifelong challenges in a techno world of love and loss, isolation and the super-power of humour. There’s even an optional writing task for those ready to swap their complimentary Mandarin gin for a pen!

Hosted at the Big River Distilling Co., I hope to see you there

To attend: https://bigriverdistilling.com.au/…/ginsights-author-event

2025 guest authors are: Maura Pierlot – Author & Playwright Ashley Kalagian Blunt Natasha Lester – Author Andra Putnis – Writer Lucy Treloar Author Kaaron Warren Colly Campbell – Writer

Menopause Is Not A Use By Date

Who is Menowoman? She’s sassy, wise, flying high in the skies…

Last Friday, Menowomen took over Readings, State Library Vic, rocking masks, red capes, and gold tights. Trish Bolton led a lively chat on the power of older women’s stories and the joy of celebrating mature gals. Author Annie de Monchaux, Bookstagrammer Brooke Michie, and I shared laughs and insights with an amazing crowd.

Big thanks to the MenoWomen of Readings, Chris Gordon, Emma, and staff for their generosity and welcome. Gratitude to Annie for her vision, Trish for her clever direction, and Brooke for her wise reflections. And to our incredible Menowomen crowd—what a blast! Go forth, chicks!

Thanks also to my partner James, a MenoWomen ally, for sound tech, logistics and crazy car parks!

The Margaret Hazzard Short Story Award

Short stories of up to 2,000 words on an open theme. Closes: 30th April 2024

Judge: Dr Rachel Matthews

Prizes: 1st $300.00 2nd $150.00 3rd $75.00

Fees: For SWW Victoria members: 1 story $10.00 or 3 stories $20.00

For non-members: 1 story $15.00 or 3 stories $30.00

Winning stories will be published in the Society’s anthology, Sparx. Copyright remains with the author.

RAW Readers Are Writers Macedon Ranges

Still room to come along to the #ReadersAreWriters workshops at Macedon Ranges Libraries.

📍28th June – Kyneton Library

📍29th June – Gisborne Library

Bookings are essential, but free to attend, and these workshops are a great way to explore different approaches to storytelling and to find your natural voice and style, in a friendly, relaxed space.

Suited to all experience levels or backgrounds.

Go to libraries

RAW Readers Are Writers Shepparton

Wednesday 24 April 2024 6-8 PM at Peepermill Inn, Shepparton

We are all storytellers….

Have you always wanted to explore creative writing but not known how to take the first step? Then come to RAW Shepparton 2024!

Readers Are Writers friendly workshops explore aspects of craft, look at a range of genres/writers and for those willing, offer a supportive space to give and receive feedback! They also cater for all levels of experience.

●Character And Voice – who are the people in your stories?
Techniques & tips to create juicy characters who establish a strong, authentic presence in both fiction and creative non-fiction.

●Date: Wednesday 24th April
●Time: 6-8pm
●Location: Peppemill Inn, Shepparton
●Cost: $30 or $25 concession/senior/student (includes room hire)

For bookings & more info email: rachelmatthewsauthor@live.com

A Mother's day with a difference...

Readings St Kilda

Sunday 5 May 2024 2:30 PM at Readings St Kilda

Mother’s Day is more than a box of Roses chocolates. It can be tricky for anyone who has lost a mum or who might have wished to have children but not had the opportunity. Every day, women play key roles in their broader communities, as friends, neighbours, role models, leaders and educators. Melbourne author and writing lecturer Dr Rachel Matthews challenges the narrow ideas of motherhood in her latest tragi-comedy, Never Look Desperate.

Join Rachel for a glass of wine and lively conversation that celebrates the ways in which nurturing the world is more than the act of having children. And the important role of storytelling to contest these labels. An optional mini writing task also included!

Bring paper and pens.

Free, but bookings are essential.

Workshops

Rachel’s workshops are for all regardless of experience! Safe, fun, interactive and informative, these sessions can be tailored to your needs.

Workshop samples include:

Readers are Writers: A fun chat and mini writing task for all ages and experience, bring a glass of wine!
Publishing Potentials: An honest, educational conversation about the industry and how to build your profile.
Speaking events: supporting charities and local organisations.
Pets to Pen: a playful hour where you will write and share your pet tales (tails!). Creatures invited also for a ‘Show and Tell’ as our hello! (Zoom only for safety reasons!).
Life writing workshops: navigating the legacy of family narratives.
VCE Creative Writing preparation: sharpen your narrative techniques.
YA matters: A workshop for young adults wanting to dabble in this powerful genre and learn about the broader writing industry.
Love Lingers: Writing life-long relationships and friendships, as a memoir or fictional form.
Men’s Musings: Casual, conversational stories of everyday life, that matter

An in conversation between Rachel Matthews and Trish Bolton.

Sunday 25th February 2024 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM at Fairfield Books

Add to your calendar 25th Feb, 4:30pm at Fairfield Books for a conversation with fellow Melbourne author Trish Bolton, who’s just released the wonderful debut, ‘Whenever You’re Ready’.

In theme with our novels, we’ll be talking all things related to the realm of female friendships, challenging ageist ideals and dating over 40.

Valentine’s Day with Rachel Matthews

Wednesday 14th February 2024 6:30 PM at Readings Carlton

Join us for an adventure into writing about love and lust and never feeling alone with Rachel Matthews, author of Never Look Desperate.

Never Look Desperate is a tragicomedy, and explores online dating in later years, the absurdity of despair in our recovering world and the increasing need for authenticity. Sound like you? Join us for a glass of wine and a mini workshop on how to write about love and why you should! BYO notebook.

Free, but bookings are essential.

Book chat & mini writing workshop

Wednesday 11 October 2023 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM at Fairfield Books

Wine, stories, laughs and heartfelt tales from the everyday in tonight’s author chat and writing workshop at the wonderful Fairfield books…an enormous thankyou to owner and book connoisseur Heather Dyer..what a fun mix of people…English teachers/writers Sally, Danielle and Michelle, screenwriter and producer Virginia Kennedy, author Trish Bolton and RMIT Screen students Ida and John…the talent was incredible…we even talked Heather into a writing task…what a lovely way to spend a Wed evening

Writing Class
with
Rachel Matthews

LIFETIME LOVE AND INTIMACY

Wednesday 25 October 2023 6:30 PM at The Younger Sun

Join us for a book chat and writing class with Rachel Matthews, author of Never Look Desperate!

Rachel will chat about the pathway to publishing and create a safe, fun and relaxed space for participants to try a short writing exercise inspired by the theme. ‘Lifetime Love and Intimacy’. Writing materials provided.

Goulburn Valley Library: Readers are Writers seminar

Thursday 30 November 2023

What I love most about Readers Are Writers workshops is the people I meet. Thank you to the lovely bunch at the session Thursday night. Some beautiful writing. Lots of laughs, a few tears and a shared curiosity of experiences.

Highlights from our ‘object with meaning’ task:

Visitors from France Julie and Pauline, touching stories of missing home and precious jewellery from mums

Mary-Jane the scientist and her heartfelt tales of travel and family

Elaine’s beauty salon and the entertaining waxing den of horrors

Cherie’s tender connections to a grandmother’s ring

Paulette’s sparkling opal, the uncovering of a goodbye and a powerful reuniting with the past

Natalie’s family hotel in Ireland and the magic of the fairy doors

Rose’s eternity ring of gold and sparkling stones. A breathtaking love story.

Aaron’s mystical journey of father and son, the voices through time

Thank you also to Kim, Bronwyn and Corrinne and the friendly staff at the Goulburn Valley Libraries Shepparton….they look after their visitors with biscuits, hot drinks

Emerald Hill Library talk

Saturday 11 November 2023

We heard the church bells ring at 11am for remembrance day…a moving tribute to people caught in the horror of war from our poetic host Phillip, discussion of a longing to let go, the respite from domestic spaces, sensory reflections of childhood, the need to explore love, loss and humour and the joy in smashing stereotypes.

Thanks to the wonderful staff and attendees at The Emerald Hill library (especially Pam, Phillip and Michael) for a memorable author chat/writing workshop with friends of South Melbourne library, tales from NY, Russia, country and city, fiction and non fiction, dating revenge….the room was full of light through the heritage windows and the sound of stories emerging..so much talent!