Jo-Anne Berthelsen, Author and Speaker
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Upcoming speaking engagements for 2026

Wednesday 11th February, 10.00am, Balmain Combined Probus Club. Balmain Town Hall. Rear of 370 Darling St, Balmain NSW

Friday 20th March 11.00am, Women’s Take A Break group, St Philip’s Anglican Church,
3 Parkinson Avenue, South Turramurra NSW

Thursday 9th April 10.00am, Kellyville Hills Probus Club, Castle Hill RSL. 77 Castle St Castle Hill NSW

Tuesday 14th April Glenhaven Probus Club, 10.00 for 10.30 start, Castle Hill Bowling Club, 79 Castle St Castle Hill NSW


MORE COMING SOON!​

Other places to meet me and check out my books in 2026 - I would love to see you there!

On Saturday 2nd May from 10.00am - 3.00pm, I will be at Penrith Koorong, Henry Lawson Centre, Unit 3b/61-79 Henry St, Penrith NSW, ready to chat with you and sign copies of my books - just in time for Mothers' Day! Looking forward to meeting you there!

Possible speaking topics

If you decide to invite me to speak at your group, club or church, I am happy to suggest a topic or to fit in with what you might suggest. I am comfortable speaking on a general writing-related topic or on a specific area of the Christian faith. I almost always include illustrations from my own life journey and my books that will hopefully connect well with those listening.

Here are just a few examples of topics/general areas I am often asked to speak about. Some emerge as key themes in my novels, while others form the basis of my three non-fiction books--Soul Friend: The story of a shared spiritual journey; Becoming Me: Finding my true self in God; and Swansong: Start creating your legacy of life-giving words today. 

Talks I currently have available for community groups:
  • 'Being a Lifelong Learner' (The positive effects of continuing to grow and learn, whatever our age)
  • ‘Write from the Heart' (My own journey towards publication plus the good and bad news of being published!)
  • 'From the Ridiculous to the Sublime --True Travel Tales' (audience encouraged to remember their own funny, scary and amazing experiences while travelling)
  • 'The Perils and Privileges of Public Speaking' (Reflections from my experiences of speaking in many different settings) 

Possible themes that could be explored at church groups:
  • The power of our words
  • Connecting with God in daily life
  • Living in God's love and grace
  • Moving with God through change​
  • Fully ‘me' for God (overcoming self-doubt, using my God-given gifts)
  • The freedom of forgiveness​
  • Reaching out, enriching others
  • Being a spiritual companion--mentoring others

Workshops

I love encouraging others on their writing journey, so am happy to present writing workshops in both church and secular settings.  These can vary in length, according to what is required, from one or two hours to an entire day. 

Topics on which I have presented writing workshops in the past have been:
  • Getting Started In Writing
  • Getting Published
  • Creating Characters from Real Life
  • Getting in before your editor does
  • Memoir Writing: you can handle the truth
  • Staying Motivated: seeing your book through to completion
  • Keeping God in the Writing Journey
  • Promoting your book for all it's worth​
I also love conducting experiential creative writing workshops that employ various writing prompts and exercises to enable participants to tap into their unique, God-given creativity.
To contact me about speaking or conducting workshops, please visit the Contact Me page.
Photo from blmurch