I speak at public events on topics ranging from journalistic ethics to writing with humor. Recent appearances include:
Panelist with bestselling novelist Jane Heller and Shape Magazine columnist Jenna McCarthy at Planned Parenthood's Choice Affairs authors salon "Love, Laughs & Life as We See It", April 2010
Featured speaker, student body assembly, Laguna Blanca High School, February 2010
2009
Featured speaker, Screenwriters Association of Santa Barbara, Borders, November 2009
Featured speaker, private luncheon, Domestic Violence Solutions, Santa Barbara Club, October 2009
Moderator, "Women's Mysteries" authors panel, Cafe Shell, October 2009
Panelist, New Authors panel, Santa Barbara Book & Author Festival, Faulkner Gallery, Santa Barbara Public Library, September 2009
Panelist, Women's Literature, Ventura Book Festival, Crowne Plaza Hotel, July 2009
Featured speaker, Cupcakes for Cancer Luncheon, Coach House, Santa Ynez, May 2009
Moderator, "Best Kept Secrets" Book Tea and Authors Panel, Cafe Shell, May 2009
Guest author, Santa Barbara City College Creative Writing program, Fé Bland Forum, March 2009
Featured author with Lisa See ("Peony in Love") and David Lawrence ("Boy Eats World") for the annual Author Luncheon of the Brandeis University National Women's Committee, Ventura Chapter. March 2009
Guest speaker for the Ventura County Writers Club. Topic: Column Me Crazy: Why Column-Writing Is a Dream Gig. March 2009
Introduction of Anna Quindlen for UCSB Arts & Lectures, Feburary 2009
2008
Guest speaker, Santa Barbara Humanist Society, 2008
Judge, Reel Loud Film Festival, UCSB, 2008
Celebrity guest, American Women in Communication, Santa Barbara chapter meeting, 2008
2007 and previous
Book signing, Santa Barbara Book & Author Festival, 2007
Guest speaker, Santa Barbara Women's Health & Wellness Symposium, 2007
Guest speaker, Senior Summer School, 2007
Guest speaker, Santa Barbara Council for Self-Esteem, 2007
Author/speaker, Women's Literary Festival, 2007
Guest, "Creative Community" television series, Channel 21, 2007
Series host, "Santa Barbara Connection" television series, Channel 17, 2007-2008
Story reading, "Hocus Bogus," Borders Books, 2006
For speaking rates and availability, please contact me.
I teach Creative Nonfiction writing through the Journalism and English departments at Santa Barbara City College.
