CONGRATULATIONS Amerie!

Communication and performance wins this week

This is Amerie (and me, and Amerie’s mum). Amerie is, among other accolades, the teenager who introduced me to one of my favourite thriller writers. Which felt like a bit of a reward from the universe for always pushing for my under-eighteen clients to pick subjects they love for their public speaking assignments. It’s a wonderful way of remembering life is not about guessing the right answer; it’s about discovering your own. So that’s how I discovered Alice Feeney – and why we’re pictured at her event at Waterstones Piccadilly, which turned out to be one of the most supportive and inspiring author talks I’ve ever seen – and also why, yesterday, I got the news Amerie achieved a distinction along with her Gold Medal in Speaking in Public.

Communication, performance, authenticity, confidence

I met Amerie as a six-year-old. Our coaching was nominally about reciting poems and prose for LAMDA Exams, but really it was about what all coaching is about: true confidence. Which doesn’t mean being the loudest person in the room; it means learning to listen to who you truly are.

Most of you reading this newsletter – whether you’re a business and personal coaching client, the parent/guardian of one of my under-eighteen clients, or a member of the Writers’ Gym – know what comes out through our voice begins in our mindset. The writing and speaking skills Amerie developed through our sessions mean she’ll not only know how to express herself, but know the importance of making sure it’s her true self she’s expressing. Writing and speaking, the world’s most transferable life skills, will be part of literally any job or career, every conversation. Creative confidence is a huge investment in being who you are and creating your life as a true reflection of who you are and what you want to be.

I could not be more proud of you, Amerie. Here’s to whatever future you choose to create.

Explore coaching for business and personal life here.

Explore coaching for under-eighteens here.

Join me online…

Writing Workout and Feedback | 6-7.30pm, Tuesday 17 June
This friendly group workshop is the perfect place to hone your writing – and how to get the best out of feedback. Click here.

Coffee & Creativity | 1-2.30pm, Wednesday 18 June
Grab a coffee and have a mid-week chat, a write and then another chat with your fellow creatives. Free for members: type your discount code where indicated. Click here.

Writing Workout and Feedback | 6-7.30pm, Tuesday 15 July
This friendly group workshop is the perfect place to hone your writing – and how to get the best out of feedback. Click here.

Coming up in London…

Powerful Fiction and Memoir: 21 June to 12 July at Olympic Studios

Join me Saturdays 21 June to 12 July, here.

Truthful, powerful writing goes so much deeper than whether or not a story ‘really happened’. My four sessions at the legendary Olympic Studios explore the tools and techniques of powerful prose. Writers of all levels of experience will build creative confidence, explore and express their unique memory and imagination and create truthful, compelling memoir and fiction. If you are a member of Olympic Studios or the Writers' Gym and do not have your discount code, please email info@rachelknightley.com Book here.

Write, Sip, Connect at the Century Club, Soho | 7pm-8.30pm, Friday 27 June
An evening workshop with cocktails, where creativity meets confidence in a unique blend of writing exercises, discussion, and networking. Whether you’re an experienced writer, just starting out, or simply curious about the craft, this event is designed to boost your word count, confidence, and connections—all in a relaxed and welcoming space. Book here.

Coffee & Creativity at Olympic Studios, Barnes | 10-11.30am, Friday 4 July
Grow your connections, build motivation and unlock inspiration in this creative networking event with a difference. Dr Rachel’s gently powerful facilitation provides a space to turn curiosity into creativity, wherever you are in your writing journey. Click here.

The Writers’ Gym is part of Rachel Knightley Coaching: creative confidence for life, work and art: www.rachelknightley.com

You don’t have to be a member to join a Writers’ Gym session: visit here. But if you’d like to access our weekly programme for free, and receive 30% off all our other events, ask about membership: thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com