About Joan Mead-Matsui

I help YOU promote your business

The Pennsylvania-based, well-seasoned travel writer and journalist has amassed stories from remote corners of Northeastern PA to Japanese port cities that mesmerize and inspire her readers. In addition to her mentoring roles, Joan has a long list of more than 1,500 feature articles and a knack for storytelling, interviewing, and reporting that won her five newspaper awards. Her whimsical, yet factual feature stories have graced the front pages of numerous newspapers and magazines. If you need to read more compelling information about Joan’s career and read a few of the reviews.

Reviews

A. Elizabeth Baumeister, Editor

Joan has an excellent news sense and commitment to accuracy in her reporting. She is a reliable and deadline-conscious worker who always gets the job done. Her writing and storytelling flow with creativity that keeps readers scrolling or turning to the next page.

Kristie Ceruti, Editor

“Since 2009, I have had the pleasure of being associated with Joan Mead-Matsui, first as her editor at The Abington Journal; then as a colleague in the field of journalism.

As a freelance journalist and photographer, Joan’s reliability, diversified background and willingness to accept assignments on a variety of topics set her apart. In those three areas, she meets and exceeds any expectations you might have in mind. She has held her current position as a freelance journalist at The Abington Journal for I believe, more than seven years, during which time she earned a Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Keystone Award and was selected for an opportunity to write ad-sponsored stories for The Abington Journal’s affiliated daily newspaper, the Times Leader, in November 2015.

During my tenure as Editor, Joan accepted assignments and successfully contributed more than 600 feature stories in four years. Through the years, her skills as a journalist and a photographer developed consistently, revealing her ability to cover a variety of topics, from personality profiles and recreational sports, to arts, music and entertainment. Frequently, Joan pitched enterprise stories that increased her value as a contributing writer on the team. As an astute interviewer, she established rapport with every member of the community with whom she had contact, which in turn increased the reach and good standing of the newspaper.

Open-mindedness, excellence in journalism and photography, and attention to detail distinguished Joan in the workplace. Her independent nature and ability to self-motivate made her an ideal contractor. Joan also embraced teamwork, which led to the aforementioned Keystone Award for coverage of the Centennial of Clarks Summit in 2011. Joan offers every quality you might look for in a freelance journalist and a dependable independent contractor.”

Erika Alexander Bruckner, Editor 

As an editor at a regional lifestyle magazine, it was a pleasure to work with Joan Mead-Matsui. Her professionalism and quality of writing allowed me to confidently assign her stories that required creativity, accuracy and personal attention. Her ability to relate to her sources in a positive way, as well as her passion for the written word, came through in every piece she penned.”

Barry Kaplan, Everything Natural, Former Owner

“I have worked with Joan in her capacity as a reporter for many years. In fact, it’s been long enough that I don’t remember how long! 10 years? 15? It could easily be.

Everything Natural is a sustainable lifestyle store, a landmark business in Northeast Pa, and an unusual one at that. Consequently, we’ve had a great deal of media coverage over the 31 years we’ve been in business. I have worked with many reporters in various media and I was always glad when we received a request for an interview Joan would be doing. Her stories would always be accurate (a Godsend), actually reflecting the conversation – she listens! Joan brings an interesting and unique perspective, writing pieces that highlighted something currently newsworthy, something we were featuring, or our special events. Consequently, we were always happy with the published pieces, including her photographs. In fact, I now often joke when a reporter or photographer shoots in the store, as we have had so many photos taken I no longer see a novel place to take one. With her artist’s vision, Joan has found a way to keep them fresh.

I have also worked with Joan as she covered many community events. Being very active in the Abington Business and Professional Association and frequent Chair of the area’s premier event, the Clarks Summit Festival of Ice, Joan has repeatedly interviewed me and other people involved in our various town festivals. Again, she has always been a professional and produced wonderful, engaging stories. You would be well served to hire Joan to write for your publication. We look forward to the next time Joan does a story on Everything Natural!”

Dennis Martin, Northeastern Pennsylvania Historian 

I first met Joan Matsui when I was the Vice-Chairman of the Clarks Summit Centennial Planning Committee in 2011. She worked closely with the committee in our planning and presentation of a year’s worth of activities for the Centennial. As one of the three historians for the Centennial, I was interviewed by her many times in the course of the year and I was enormously impressed by her interest and in her skill at helping me tell my stories properly. The Abington Journal was one of our major sponsors and she was our main contact.

My wife and I are the volunteer historians for the Abington Community Library and we have been very happy continuing to work with Joan as we have enhanced the local history section of the library. While that section has grown greatly, it is the writings of Joan that have brought what is there to the public’s attention.

Dori Waters, Co-founder, The Gathering Place 

“Joan’s stunning photography and eloquent descriptions capture the beauty and charm of each location. Her enthusiasm and attention to detail bring her stories to life. It’s enough to inspire a Hobbit to go on an adventure.”

Newspaper Press Awards

2014 – Second Place, Niche Publication, Contributing Writer, The Abington Journal Staff, My Edition, Division 7 2013 – First Place, Niche Publication, Contributing Writer, “My Edition: News for Youth,” Division 7
2013 – Second Place, Series, “Isn’t it Romantic?” Division 7
2012 – First Place, Special Project, Lead Contributing Writer, Centennial Special Edition, Division 7
2011 – Second Place, Sports, “One Million Flies Strong,” Division 7

Whether you own or manage a business, I’m eager to support your mission with services that cover feature stories, copywriting, photography, videography, advertising, teaching, social media promotion, and graphic design.

Join the Hub and you’ll receive these benefits for one value-packed, low monthly fee or join for one year and save.

Sign up by December 31, 2019, and you’ll receive an added bonus: A one-on-one 30-minute telephone or Skype consultation with me. I’ll get you “on track” for 2020. Let’s make your 2020 a pivotal year. 

Benefits and Perks

• Daily, weekly, and monthly writing and publishing tips
• 24/7 Access to the resources
• Writing Prompts
• Style Tips
• Interviewing Tips

I also create outstanding journalism courses and I’m the founder of the “Everything, Everywhere Travel Writer,” a private, members-only Facebook group that guides and supports travel writers through the many hurdles they face. Learn Travel Writing teaches you the skills you need to convey your stories and experiences to the world. I turn so-so writing skills into fabulous and the meek into extraordinary interviewers.

Journalism is a life-long passion and I’ve devoted my career to perfecting my skills so I can help others experience bliss through writing and self-expression. Check out my coverage at https://issuu.com/search?q=Joan%20Mead-Matsui.

The group supports my commitment to lifelong learning and guidance and is ideal for journalists who have a zest for learning and improving their existing skills.

Looking for a brand ambassador? 

Helping you spread the word about your business is my business.

You’ll be thrilled you contacted me. Message me for more information.

More About Me

My journalism career grew out of a large-scale multicultural kids’ festival I chaired for a proposed children’s museum. The Kids Around the World festival attracted more than 500 children and their families.

You can read more about the festival by following these links.

Here are a few of the press awards I earned as a freelance journalist.

Copywriter

Writing ad-sponsored stories for digital newspapers allowed me to explore B2B copywriting for advertisers.  

Interests and Hobbies

Fly fishing; art, (named Artist of Distinction, “Abrakadoodle,” national children’s arts’ education program); ballet, martial arts (studied Taekwondo and Aikido), photography, tennis, Zumba, yoga, cycling; hiking, downhill, and cross-country skiing; and horseback riding

Activities

Artist with a specialty in Chigirie, Japanese Torn Paper Collage Art, avid fly angler, dancer, tennis fanatic, yogi, and soccer fan.

One-of-a-kind lodging and amenities

Each of the destinations I’ve visited since May 2015  has been unique and extraordinary. You’ll find detailed wrap-ups and exclusive feature stories accompanied by up close and personal photos to help you plan your vacation, weekend getaway, honeymoon, or day trip. You typically won’t find “reviews” but you’ll find honest reports.

Wondering where to go for nouvelle cuisine, a rejuvenating spa treatment, a beach or fly-fishing vacation, or a truly thought-provoking art exhibit? You’ll find the information you need here.

You can begin your journey in my home state, Pennsylvania, at one of many outstanding resort destinations surrounded by breathtaking scenery, shopping, and culture-galore.