AustLit

Clare Mendes worked as an advertising copywriter for several years before turning to creative writing. She also wrote scripts for TV (including Neighbours, q.v.), and has conducted workshops on play and scriptwriting. Melbourne-based Mendes was the Executive Officer of the Fellowship of Australian Writers (Victoria) in 1997, during which time she was instrumental in starting Rat Readings - a forum for new works by Melbourne writers held at the Water Rat Hotel on Monday nights.

An active volunteer for organizations such as the International Womens Development Agency and Australian Volunteers International, she has used her skills to edit and write articles for their publications, using experience gained in Indonesia during her 1997 Asialink Residency Program award.