Whitsundays Writers Festival Presents Big Book Club High Tea with Award Winning Author – RACHAEL JOHNS
The Whitsundays Writers Festival is delighted to unveil to its Speaker line-up, award winning Author Rachael Johns to host a delightful high tea book club event at My Rainbow Bakery, nestled along the picturesque shores of Shingley Beach.
Travelling to the Whitsundays from her home in the Swan Valley, Western Australia, Rachael Johns was once briefly an English teacher before turning her attention to writing, and never looked back. She is a two-time winner of the Romance Writers of Australia RUBY Award and her novel The Patterson Girls won the 2016 ABIA for General Fiction. Co-hosting two podcasts, she runs the vibrant Rachael Johns Book Club, and has published 30+ books.
Festival President Karen Jacobsen expressed her excitement for the upcoming event, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Rachael to our Festival’s Big Book Club High Tea. We are particularly pleased to feature an author who sets contemporary fiction in rural settings, and the event promises an afternoon filled with insight into her journey to literary success, and how she maintains consistency as a beloved Australian Author.”
The inclusion of Rachael Johns further enriches the Festival’s stellar line-up, which features Dr Anita Heiss AM as presenter of the Festival’s From the Heart Keynote Address.
“Our aim is to spotlight the remarkable success of Australian authors and showcase the extraordinary talent within our literary landscape,” Karen emphasised. “The addition of Rachael to the Festival’s line-up underscores our commitment to providing our community with access to influential voices shaping contemporary literature. Stay tuned as we announce more celebrated speakers in the coming weeks.”
The Festival’s Big Book Club High Tea will be held 3:15 PM – 4:45 PM Saturday 13 September at My Rainbow Bakery, where many local book clubs have met over the years. Rachael will select some of her books to discuss, and attendees will know the titles in advance. At last year’s festival this event was a sell-out fan favourite.
As anticipation builds for the 2025 Festival, attendees are encouraged to confirm their travel and accommodation early. Details of the Festival’s tickets and how to purchase are available at the festival website whitsundayswriters.com.
Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards
The festival, spanning three days from Friday, September 12, to Sunday, September 14, 2025, will also feature the Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards. The Heart Awards provide well-deserved recognition and financial and prize awards to talented writers for best unpublished manuscript and short story. Submissions for the Heart Awards are now open until July 14, 2025.
Mark your calendar and stay tuned for further exciting announcements and author profiles as the festival approaches.
“The support of the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing at James Cook University makes our Heart Award Best Unpublished Manuscript possible in 2025 with a $2500 First Prize and we thank them for their partnership. We are proud to continue our presence offering an Australian regional writers’ competition,” Karen affirmed. “Our festival stands as an example for recognising and rewarding creative talent and fostering a culture that champions the contribution of writers.”
Submissions are now open. Writers of all ages, and at all stages of their careers are invited to participate in the Heart Awards by submitting their work for consideration. Complete details, deadlines, and submission forms are accessible on the Whitsundays Writers Festival website.