Presentations
These presentations are designed to deliver real value to audiences. Built from hands-on experience as a working writer, each session focuses on practical craft, clear takeaways, and ideas attendees can put to work immediately.
All presentations listed below have been delivered to live audiences and are available for libraries, conferences, and professional events.
If you’re interested in scheduling a presentation, please use the contact page for more information.
You are a Rockstar: Developing the Mindset of an Indie Author
Forging your path as an indie author isn’t for the faint of heart. Advice, opinions, and “must-do” strategies hit you daily like a firehose—and not all of them will move you forward.
In this presentation, we’ll get a clear view of today’s industry realities, then break down the six mindset hurdles that most often stand between writers and lasting success.
No Days Off: Running an Indie Author Business
Success as an indie author takes more than writing a great book. It means running a business. That requires wearing multiple hats—marketer, strategist, accountant, and salesperson—and knowing when each one matters most.
In this presentation, we’ll dig into what it really means to think like an entrepreneur, how and where to reinvest in yourself and your business, and the hard-won lessons that only come from doing the work, making mistakes, and pushing forward anyway.
Moving from Obscurity to Relevance: How to Market Yourself and Your Books
With endless marketing options competing for your attention, it’s easy to feel busy without seeing results. Social media, email lists, ads, events—each can work, but only when they’re aligned with the right audience and a clear strategy.
In this presentation, we’ll break down how to identify and reach your ideal readers, build an author brand that actually means something, and use modern tools and technology to market smarter—not louder—so your efforts lead to measurable growth.
Shout It Out Loud: Author Branding
An author brand isn’t a logo or a color palette—it’s the promise you make to readers. When it’s done right, everything you write, say, and share works together to build recognition and trust. When it’s done wrong, mixed signals dilute your message and stall your growth.
In this presentation, we’ll break down what an author brand really is, how your books must support it, and the common branding mistakes that quietly sabotage otherwise solid careers.
Are Two Heads Better Than One? Author Collaboration
Author collaboration is everywhere—from indie teams to high-profile partnerships with celebrities and public figures. It can accelerate your reach and output… or create headaches that derail your career. The difference is knowing what you’re getting into before you say yes.
In this presentation, we’ll examine the real pros and cons of collaboration, how to choose the right partner, the business and legal considerations involved, and when collaboration makes sense—and when it absolutely doesn’t.
From Pen to Prompt
AI isn’t here to replace writers—it’s here to support the creative process. This presentation explores how authors are actually using AI to brainstorm, refine craft, and manage the business side of writing responsibly. We’ll cut through the hype and fear to focus on practical, ethical use cases that respect creative voice, intellectual property, and reader trust—offering clear, real-world context for how AI fits into today’s literary landscape.