Testimonials

"My wife and I loved your inspiring article in the December issue of International Living!!  Thanks for sharing your story!!!"

Gary Pelphrey
Omaha, Nebraska

"My wife Bonnie and I very much enjoyed your article in International Living and also your well-designed and informative (and lovely) website. Again, thanks for the great article in International Living. It is well-written, informative and it "sparkles."

Jerry and Bonnie Whitmire
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

"Shanie Matthews was commissioned to write a feature on luxury travel to Mendoza, Argentina, for PLAYER, a lifestyle magazine that is published by the Gary Player Corporation for an elite international readership. Shanie followed the brief to the letter, delivered the feature on time (on a very tight deadline), and went out of her way to help us source photographs with which to illustrate the piece. Two of the photographs used were taken by Shanie herself. The story she turned in covered every base required: from first-class accommodation and dining recommendations, to suggestions on places to see and things to do, details on viticulture and award-winning wines from the region, and - because our magazine is golf-related - biographies on top Argentine golfers and a write-up of the Gary Player course under construction just outside Mendoza. Shanie herself moved from the US to live in Mendoza for a time, owned a vineyard there and is/was a professional sportsperson. These experiences obviously informed the high standard of the feature she turned in, but the piece was also well constructed, her writing style is light and engaging, and her command of English good. I shall have no hesitation in commissioning Shanie again."

Ann Ellis Brown
Editor
PLAYER magazine

"Shanie has worked as a freelancer writer for Travelers Anonymous several times this year.  Each time, her attention to detail, professional demeanor and top-notch knowledge
shines through.  She is always willing to go that extra mile. I welcome the chance to hire Shanie again."

Elyse Friedman Caiello,
Owner, Traveler's Anonymous
Los Angeles, CA

"Shanie Matthews is a talented writer who turns out good copy in a timely manner. Shanie has worked with V!VA Travel Guides since May 2008, to create travel guidebook writing about a number of towns across Argentina and Chile. Shanie was quick to pick up V!VA's unique tone and style, while retaining her own creativity. V!VA can count on Shanie to also come up with interesting suggestions for sidebars and other unique travel guidebook content."

Paula Newton
Managing Editor
V!VA Travel Guides

"Working with Shanie Matthews has been a real pleasure. She is proactive in terms of coming up with a wide range of topics for travel articles. Shanie is also both very receptive to suggested subjects and able to elaborate upon a wide range of ideas. Her writing style can range from evocative narrative to the crisp and authoritative journalistic tone which our publication tends to favor.  When Shanie covers a subject, she takes you to the heart of the matter with great ease. While I have not met her in person, her correspondence reflects a joie de vivre even while in the midst  of 10 foot snow storms deep in the beautiful mountains of Patagonia, Argentina."

Gregory Hubbs
Web Content Editor
Transitions Abroad

"Shanie Matthews is the writer for Bariloche's section of Black Sheep, a monthly magazine for Patagonia. She is professional and easy to work with, as she takes initiative with her work, often having articles finished and ready before you've even assigned them. She has a good understanding of who her audience is, and she is able to adapt her writing style accordingly. She also has a keen eye for editing, and she always makes deadlines early. We look forward to continuing to work with Shanie."

Heather Poyhonen
Managing Editor
Black Sheep

"Shanie helped us by writing a popular series of articles on road trips
across Argentina.  Her writing is clear, fluid, and informative, which
was a perfect fit for our travel guide.  Shanie is a pleasure to work
with, as she always answers her emails and delivers what she promises
-- this is one of the qualities I most value when working with
freelancers.  On top of that, she went above and beyond the project
description by delivering a set of fantastic photographs to go along
with the articles.  Gracias Shanie!"

Cesar Gonzalez
managing editor and designer
www.ArgentinasTravel.com

"Shanie Matthews is a regular contributor to the South American Explorer magazine. Her copy is always delivered on time, and is well-researched, engaging and intelligent. We are lucky to be able to publish her work."

Lucy E. Cousins
Managing Editor
South American Explorer Magazine

"Several months ago our newspaper had the pleasure of working with Shanie Matthews. Mrs. Matthews wrote and submitted a feature story on a couple traveling by bicycle across Southern America. The story was well received and since Mrs. Matthews story ran, we have had a few requests for her writing again."

Eric LaFontaine, Publisher
Othello Outlook & Columbia Basin Farmer

Before Shanie Matthews found happiness, she shared an intense experience with SMITH readers, in our My Ex project. Now, happily married and blogging in Bariloche, Patagonia for the past two and a half years with her husband, she exudes happiness. Her six-word memoir? “ Scaring the timid with amazing positivity.” And we’re sure that she’s inspiring greatness all over Patagonia. She and her husband have started various nonprofits that help poor children with winter gear, on top of volunteering to teach English and educate locals about the importance of the environment. Did we mention they also saved three pups and a kitten from the streets recently? She definitely deserves the SMITH tee we’re sending her way.

Member of the Month Write-up
Smith Magazine