Rachel's Events
Events
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.
RAW Readers Are Writers Shepparton
We are all storytellers….
Techniques & tips to create juicy characters who establish a strong, authentic presence in both fiction and creative non-fiction.
●Time: 6-8pm
●Location: Peppemill Inn, Shepparton
●Cost: $30 or $25 concession/senior/student (includes room hire)
A Mother's day with a difference...
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.
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
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
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
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
Visitors from France Julie and Pauline, touching stories of missing home and precious jewellery from mumsMary-Jane the scientist and her heartfelt tales of travel and familyElaine’s beauty salon and the entertaining waxing den of horrorsCherie’s tender connections to a grandmother’s ringPaulette’s sparkling opal, the uncovering of a goodbye and a powerful reuniting with the pastNatalie’s family hotel in Ireland and the magic of the fairy doorsRose’s eternity ring of gold and sparkling stones. A breathtaking love story.Aaron’s mystical journey of father and son, the voices through time
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.
