31/05/2026 - 10am
Craft Fair at the Little Leaf Cafe, Palmer Plants
This is a free public event. Refreshments available.
15/06/2026 - 6.30pm
Women's Institute - Horsforth
This is a private event.
26/06/2026 - 10am
Craft Fair at the Little Leaf Cafe, Palmer Plants
This is a free public event. Refreshments available.
11/08/2026 - 7.30pm
Women's Institute - East Morton
This is a private event.
10/10/2026 - 10am
Craft Fair at the Eccleshill Mechanics Institute, Bradford
This is a free public event. Refreshments available.
14/11/2026 - 10am
Craft Fair at the Eccleshill Mechanics Institute, Bradford
This is a free public event. Refreshments available.
Christmas-themed.
29/11/2026 - 10am
Craft Fair at the Little Leaf Cafe, Palmer Plants
This is a free public event. Refreshments available.
12/12/2026 - 10am
Craft Fair at the Eccleshill Mechanics Institute, Bradford
This is a free public event. Refreshments available.
Christmas-themed.
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Classroom Workshops - Quote Required (full or half-day options)
As with all of Rachael's workshops for children, she will bring along her story cubes and other unique games to introduce idea generation techniques. Rachael knows that it's often easier for children to understand how writing a book works when they have fun tools to demonstrate the process. Together, the class will complete team-building activities to design fantasy maps and unique characters.
For English classes, Rachael will teach the 3-act structure and/or The Hero's Journey to help your students plan an outline, referring to their favourite books and movies for context.
School visits can be morning or afternoon sessions, full or half-day sessions.
Please book in advance for celebrations such as World Book Day.
Career Days - Quote Required (full of half-day options)
If you're hosting a careers fair, Rachael would be thrilled to set up a stall or run a talk/workshop to chat with students about the possibility of a creative career, and how to incorporate creativity alongside a full-time job. She is always excited to introduce young people to self-publishing, and to explain the importance of reading and writing skills in the workplace.
How to Book a Talk
CURRENT FEES:
£75.00 for up to 2 hours with Rachael - Talks and Career Days
£85.00 for up to 2 hours with Rachael - Workshops
Please request a quote from Rachael if you would like to book a longer event or a school visit. Rachael offers full and half-day options.
Rachael's Introductory Talk (Meet the Author) - £79.00 (up to 2 hours incl Q&A)
Rachael talks about where her love of books and passion for writing originated, her creative processes, how she started her company Curious Cat Books, and the inspiration behind her bestselling books.
A Q&A will follow this talk, including the opportunity to purchase signed books and exclusive merchandise.
Blood, Sweat, Tears, & Ideas - £79.00 (up to 2 hours incl Q&A)
Rachael can teach you how to use lots of free and easy-to-use technology to write, perfect, and design your book from start to finish... then publish it yourself! Rachael also holds a diploma in Successful Self-Publishing. This talk is ideal for anyone who wants a quick and interesting overview of the stages involved in 'self-publishing' and will explain her processes and how to stick to your budget. She will also briefly explain her 'Six Read Rule' to help you polish and perfect your first draft.
Based on her brand new guide for new writers, Blood, Sweat, Tears, & Ideas, this talk will cover the biggest mistakes new authors make and how to avoid them. If you're new to self-publishing (perhaps writing is your hobby, but you dream it will become much more), Rachael is your guru. She will offer an open and honest road map based on her 15 years of experience.
A Q&A will follow this talk, including the opportunity to purchase signed books and exclusive merchandise.
The Benefits of Journaling - £79.00 (up to 2 hours)
In her 15 years as a self-published author, Rachael has used various methods and types of journaling to aid her creative career. She also has a diploma in Journal Therapy. She believes that not only is journaling great for your mental health, but it can also help you craft interesting stories. This type of talk is ideal for anyone exploring writing as a hobby, or who would like to learn about the benefits of keeping a journal.
You do not need to be artistic or have neat handwriting, and you do not need any special or fancy items. You will only need to bring a notebook and pen, and Rachael will then give you an overview of how to use a travel journal, a bullet journal, a success/progress journal, and more.
Idea Generation Workshop - £99.00 (up to 2 hours incl Q&A)
In this interactive workshop, Rachael will show you how to generate interesting and addictive story ideas, and turn them into a full-length novel, novella, short story, or even a memoir.
For an adult audience, Rachael will advise you to look within to tell the most profound and emotive stories based on your thoughts, feelings, experiences, fears, and more. This is ideal for social groups and writing groups who would like to be more involved. Rachael's workshops will never force you to read anything you write aloud, however you might want to prepare by bringing your laptop or a notebook and pen.
For a younger audience, Rachael will bring along story cubes and other games to show you how ideas can come from anywhere. She can also deliver any/all of her school activities during a similar session:
- Fantasy Map Design
- Group or Individual Idea Generation
- Character/Monster/Species Creation
HUDDERSFIELD LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2026 - Rachael delivered a 2-hour 'Beat the Blank Page' Workshop
"An absolutely brilliant workshop - Rachael was very knowledgeable and I left feeling really inspired.” - Anon
"I recently attended Rachael's 'Beat the Blank Page' workshop, as part of the Huddersfield Literature Festival and was so glad I'd signed up! Rachael was extremely knowledgeable and engaging, sharing lots of practical advice and actionable tips. I particularly enjoyed learning about 'Story Beats' and am excited to explore this further. Thank you Rachael for a really interesting and inspiring session." - Katie Walden
HUDDERSFIELD LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2025 - Rachael delivered a 2-hour 'Self-Publishing Crash Course'
"We were delighted to have you at the Festival. I know [the festival organisers] both thoroughly enjoyed the event!"
"The time of the event was perfect for me. The information I received was just what I wanted. Informative delivered in an energetic way."
SELBY WI
"Excellent talk about how she got into writing and publishing. She didn't take herself too seriously, and showed her passion for books and also publishing others."
MARSH WI
"A very inspiring lady. You would encourage any beginning author."
"Very interesting talk. I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you."
"Your talk was very inspiring and your passion comes across. Thank you."
"Thank you Rachael - what a fabulous, challenging journey. Thoroughly enjoyed your talk tonight."
"Very interesting talk. Lovely books so well presented."
ELDWICK LADIES GROUP
"This has been a most interesting talk. Much better than expected. It was made so interesting. Rachael really brings out the best as an author and really gave us a lovely insight into being a writer."
"Lovely talk. As well as being a talented author you are a talented speaker! Thank you."
"Thank you so very much for your interesting talk. It was very enjoyable. What a wonderful story."
"Rachael is a very lively and engaging speaker and it all flows from the heart! Thank you for a fascinating evening."
JULES BROOK - KIRKHAMGATE WI
"We were fortunate to have Rachael Hardcastle as guest speaker at our Kirkhamgate WI meeting in June. Wow, what a brilliant talk, delivered with much enthusiasm and wit. Rachael came in like a whirlwind and was exceedingly popular with our members. She left us all feeling very happy indeed. She certainly packs a lot into her life. A very much enjoyed evening, Rachael, we will definitely be
recommending you to other groups."
ANN TOMLINSON - NETHERTON & DISTRICT WI
"We all enjoyed your talk and really liked the children's books. Thank you for coming and being so interesting."
LYNDA FAIRCHILD - IDLE WI
"Thank you again for delivering an enjoyable and informative talk."
DIANE WEBSTER - ILKLEY U3A
"I found you to be very engaging. You have an interesting back story and it is very clear that you not only have a passion for writing, but also for encouraging others to become authors too. Your down to earth style draws your audience to you. It was an hour well spent out of my day! I also want to thank you once again for the help and advice you have given me today, you absolutely went above and beyond, I am so grateful. Thank you for the great session this morning, it was lovely to meet you."
FIONA MEER, DEPUTY HEAD OF LOW ASH PRIMARY SCHOOL
"Rachael inspired us all when she came to visit and this resulted in some excellent stories. The children are delighted with their completed books and the fact that they are now published authors. We are very proud of Low Ash Primary's 'Ghosts of Valhalla' Books 1 and 2 and can't wait for the whole order to arrive!"
HELEN DERHAM - LEADER IN CHARGE OF 107TH THACKLEY GUIDES
"Rachael attended 107th Thackley Guides over two weeks to help the girls attain their creative writing badge. Rachael used her creative style to make the evening interesting and informative, and engaging the girls to the point that some of the guides took their work home to complete. All guides that attended attained their Creative Writing Badge and we invited Rachael back to the unit to see them presented. We wouldn't hesitate in asking Rachael back to unit at any time."
BILLY JEAVONS, CHAIR and CHERISE WILLIAMS, SECRETARY - HANSON SCHOOL
"As members of the Parent Teacher Association at Hanson School Bradford we recently asked E. Rachael Hardcastle to come in to share with Key Stage 2 students her experience of being an author and maybe make English and Literature more relevant to them. In reality she did much more than that. Not only was her knowledge of her subject very detailed and relevant, she worked really hard to make it fun. Rachael worked with the students on story ideas, coaching and encouraging them to develop their own ideas and stories. In addition she had prizes and giveaways for the students. Always a welcome addition. To conclude, Rachael is a bright and personable lady with a real talent. It was a pleasure to have worked with her and we hope to do so again in the future."
PAUL HENRY, YEAR 6 TEACHER, LOW ASH PRIMARY SCHOOL
“Miss Hardcastle recently visited our classroom and the children were spellbound; hanging on every word of a published author. They were enthused to create excellent quality writing which they were extremely proud of.”
FIONA MEER, DEPUTY HEAD OF LOW ASH PRIMARY SCHOOL
"Many thanks for your inspirational work with our Year 6 children who have really enjoyed their time with you. You have made them believe that writing is fun and that anyone can be an author if they work hard enough - and made it possible for them to be published authors too! We are very proud of our book and have it in pride of place in the classroom at the moment. Thank you!"
***
Kristen Martin - Bestselling Author and YouTuber
"...Rachael is a lovely, down-to-earth person with such an admirable drive to inspire and educate the writing community. I’m fortunate to have had the chance to work with her—and on multiple occasions at that!"
Bryan Aiello - Author and YouTuber
"...Rachael Hardcastle is an amazing human being whom I am happy to have discovered exists at the same time as me on this planet. Her knowledge and work ethic are unparalleled. Her creativity is boundless...“Rachael Hardcastle is the absolute best! Thank you so much for the work you do for artists and writers!”
Nigel Cartner - Author
"...I thank Rachael wholeheartedly for inviting me to be part of her site. What she’s doing for the indie author is fantastic. In addition, I’ve read her novella, ‘Noah Finn & The Art of Suicide’, and it's exceptionally written and is highly recommended. She deserves all the success that comes her way."
Pamela A. Pedder - Author
"Being a novice I felt out of my depth, but Rachael's relaxed attitude soon put me at ease. Being dyslexic, the work didn't come easily, however with Rachael's guidance and positive attitude I am now a confident published author. She tells it as it is if she knows you can achieve."
Carol Mace - Author
"I can't tell you how chuffed I am and that's down to you and Bethany [illustrator] and your hard work. I really do appreciate it."
Alanna Betambeau - Author
"...I am absolutely delighted with not only the quality of the finished book, but also the quality of service that I received. I have been incredibly impressed with Rachael's editing service, marketing advice and continued help and guidance. I have loved the process of seeing my story go from idea to print..."
Peter Kay - Author
"It has been a delight to work with a publisher who believed in my book. Working together on honing the manuscript was a positive shared passion. The journey from contract signing to book launch was always constructive, helpful, challenging, yet purposeful. Rachael’s support with post launch promotional ideas and chasing useful contacts has been excellent and she continues to be very proactive in providing more of these. As an author, working with Rachael has been an extremely positive experience."
