Author talk brings luck to BMI

November 2, 2025 BY
Rachael Johns Ballarat

Identity, family and desire: After completing 30 books, Rachael Johns said her latest, The Lucky Sisters, was her most challenging. Photo: SUPPLIED

BESTSELLING author Rachael Johns will be in Ballarat next week to talk about her upcoming novel The Lucky Sisters.

Johns will hold a special event at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, celebrating what she said is the most challenging book she has ever written.

“It’s been 10 years since I was last in Ballarat for my book The Patterson Girls, so it’s fitting that I’m back again with another book about sisters, The Lucky Sisters,” Johns said.

“I can’t wait to meet new readers and talk to old fans at the library about this very special book.

“It’s a hard book to talk about without spoilers, but I promise to do my best.”

Publicist Anna Tidswell said the book marks a powerful shift for Johns.

“While she’s well-loved for her romances, The Lucky Sisters takes her back to women’s fiction in the vein of her ABIA award-winning novel The Patterson Girls,” Ms Tidswell said.

“Tackling themes of identity, family, desire, sacrifice, and the meaning of life and death, the story follows twin sisters who discover they may not have long to live and spiral in very different directions.

“It’s deeply emotional, thought-provoking and in my view her best work yet.

“Rachael has written over 30 books, but this one truly stands apart.

“Early feedback has been outstanding, with Books+Publishing describing it as ‘absorbing, detail-rich…with emotional depth, layered characterisation and satisfying revelations, and noting it as ‘a confident shift beyond the romances she’s known for’.”

In Conversation with Rachael Johns will be held at the Ballaraat Mechanics Institute on Thursday 6 November beginning at 6.30pm.

Tickets are $11.78 per person. All proceeds go to the BMI to support the staging of author events.

Book online at events.humanitix.com/rachael-johns-bmi, via email to [email protected] or phone 5331 3042.