Speaking

Experienced with audiences of all ages, I would be happy to speak to your book club, community group, classroom, employees, or writing conference.

Some of my favorite presentation and workshop topics are listed here. To request availability, contact me today.

Kris Spisak - editing workshop presenter, author, editor, family story collector
Looking for a virtual or in-person keynote speaker focused on the power (and history) of language and storytelling, an editing workshop, a class on mining your life for memoir or fiction writing, or a guest author for your book club? I’m scheduling future events now. Get in touch today.

Upcoming Events:

“Unsung Women” (Moderator)
Virginia Festival of the Book, Charlottesville, VA
March 20, 2024

“Springboard: A Weekend of Transformational Self-Editing” (Editing Retreat)
James River Writers at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Richmond, VA
April 13-14, 2024

“Poe, Baba Yaga & the Allure of the Macabre”
Edgar Allan Poe Museum’s Illumination Series, Richmond, VA
September 18, 2024

Book clubs, book clubs, book clubs! – (not publicly listed on my calendar)

 

Past Speaking Events:

Book Signing at Hatch Local
with Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, VA
February 3, 2024

“The Baba Yaga Mask: Ukrainian History, Art and Folktale Traditions”
Lifelong Learning Institute of Chesterfield, Midlothian, VA
July 21, 2023

“Ukrainian History, Art & Folktale traditions within The Baba Yaga Mask”
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA
July 13, 2023

“Fiction & Memoir Editing Secrets” workshop
Triangle Area Freelancers, Raleigh, NC (virtual)
March 23, 2023

The Baba Yaga Mask Book Talk
Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, Richmond, VA
January 30, 2023

“Grammartopia: Roanoke!” & “Fiction & Memoir Editing Secrets” workshop
Roanoke Regional Writer’s Conference, Roanoke, VA
January 20, 2023

The Baba Yaga Mask Book Talk
Chesterfield County Libraries – Courthouse branch, Midlothian, VA
January 19, 2022

Kris Spisak - her grandmother's hand-stitched blouse - The Baba Yaga Mask
Speaking about Ukrainian history, folk art, and legacies has been especially near and dear to my heart lately. Thank you to all of you who have sparked conversations, asked questions, donated to our fundraisers, and embraced my story about Ukrainian sisters on a wild goose chase across Europe to find their grandmother who stepped off a plane and disappeared.

“Baba Yaga: Witch, Godmother, Feminist” & The Baba Yaga Mask Book Talk
Hollins University’s The Young Writers Initiative Club (TYWI)
November 13, 2022 (virtual event)

“Editing Secrets” Workshop
Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, Falls Church, VA
November 5, 2022

Fiction/Memoir Self-Editing Workshop
James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA
October 7-9, 2022

The Baba Yaga Mask Book Talk
Fairfax County Public Library, Alexandria, VA
September 29, 2022 (virtual event)

The Baba Yaga Mask Book Talk
A Novel Idea, Philadelphia, PA
August 11, 2022 (virtual event)

Story Stop: #UnitedforUkraine
in partnership with The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA)
July 14, 2022 (virtual)

The Baba Yaga Mask Book Signing & Humanitarian Donation Event
Chop Suey Books, Richmond, VA
July 8, 2022

The Baba Yaga Mask Book Talk
Malaprop’s Bookstore, Asheville, NC
June 8, 2022 (virtual event)

Kris Spisak - author - The Little Bookshop
Indie bookstore events, like this one at The Little Bookshop, are always among my favorites.

The Baba Yaga Mask Book Talk
Firehouse Books, Fort Collins, CO
May 26, 2022 (virtual event)

The Baba Yaga Mask Book Signing & Humanitarian Donation Event
The Little Bookshop, Midlothian, VA
May 6, 2022, 12 – 2 p.m.

The Baba Yaga Mask Book Talk
Book No Further, Roanoke, VA
April 15, 2022 (in person & via Zoom)

The Baba Yaga Mask Book Talk
The Little Bookshop, Midlothian, VA
April 13, 2022

The Baba Yaga Mask Book Break
Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA
April 8, 2022

Kris Spisak - The Baba Yaga Mask signing
The Baba Yaga Mask may be my fourth book, but as my debut novel, it has an incredibly special place in my heart.

The Baba Yaga Mask book launch!
with Fountain Bookstore at Blue Bee Cider, Richmond, VA
April 7, 2022

“How to Self-Edit Your Novel to Create a Page Turner, Catch More Errors, & Sell More Copies!” – Online Workshop
Virtual, with Bryan Cohen
February 22, 2022

“Mining Your Life Story for Memoir or Fiction” – Workshop
Virtual, with the Winston-Salem Writers (NC)
January 22, 2022

Grammartopia & Chasing Histories Challenge (co-presented with Karen A. Chase)
James Madison’s Montpelier, Montpelier Station, VA
November 9, 2021

Story Stop: Hanover County, VA
In development with the Hanover Museum of History & Culture, the Ashland Museum, and the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) Traveling Exhibition
October 28, 2021

Grammartopia: Agricultural Relations Council
Annual Continuing Education Meeting, Richmond, VA
October 27, 2021

Grammartopia: JRW
James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA
October 10, 2021

“Family Matters” (moderator)
James River Writers’ Writing Show – Virtual, Richmond, VA
June 30, 2021

“Fiction Editing Secrets – Cut, Replace & Succeed
Virtual Workshop, Winston-Salem Writers’ Group
April 17, 2021

Story Stop - Enter the Toastmasters with Kris Spisak
My Story Stop Tour events enabled a cross-country virtual book tour of sorts, and I’m thrilled to keep the conversations (and stories!) going.

Story Stop: Enter the Toastmasters
Virtual
April 9, 2021

Story Stop: Writing, Editing and Personal Perspectives
Virtual
March 19, 2021

“Editing and Publishing: Tips and Information You Can Use Right Now” – a conversation between Kris Spisak and Anne Trubek
Virginia Festival of the Book
March 13, 2021

Story Stop: Roanoke, VA
Virtual, with Book No Further
February 24, 2021

“Mining Your Life Story for Memoir or Fiction” – Workshop
Virtual, with Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe/Phoenix, AZ
February 18, 2021

Story Stop: Bookish Road Trip!
Virtual, with the founders of the “Bookish Road Trip” FB group
February 11, 2021

Kris spisak - editors - editing summit - December 2020
Deep editing and revision conversations among accomplished professionals can be so much fun. I was honored to be a part of this December 2020 virtual Editing Summit.

Story Stop: Savannah, GA
Virtual, with E Shaver Booksellers
January 28, 2021

Story Stop: Atlanta, GA
Virtual, with FoxTale Book Shoppe
January 21, 2021

Story Stop: Philadelphia
Virtual via Zoom, with A Novel Idea Bookshop
January 14, 2021

“The Power of Preserving Family Stories”
Union League Club, Writer’s Circle, New York, NY
January 12, 2021

Congrats—You Won NaNo!…Now What? An Editorial Summit on How to Revise Your Story.”
Virtual on Zoom
December 6, 2020

Kris Spisak - masked-up and signing books at Fountain Bookstore
This picture is so 2020 I can barely stand it, but yes, that’s me, signing books at Fountain Bookstore after my virtual book launch for The Family Story Workbook. For historical perspective, compare this picture (11/20) with the one below (2/20). My how things can change within a year.

Story Stop: Georgetown, TX
Virtual via Zoom, with the Writers’ League of Texas
November 24, 2020

The Family Story Workbook Launch! – Story Stop: Richmond
Virtual via Crowdcast, with Fountain Bookstore
November 12, 2020

“Editing to Elevate Your Words” Workshop & panel participation
Broadleaf Writers Association Conference, Atlanta, GA (virtual!)
October 17-18 2020

Secrets of Process-Driven EditingWorkshop
James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA (virtual)
October 10-11, 2020

Thoughtful Books Festival (Virtual)
August 28, 2020

“Self-Editing: The Writer’s Essential Tool” Kris Spisak in
conversation with Karin Wiberg
Triangle Association of Freelancers (TAF), Raleigh, NC (Virtual)
August 26, 2020

Fiction Editing Secrets,Virtual Workshop
Virginia Writers Club, Northern Virginia chapter
July 25, 2020

Kris Spisak's Novel Editing Workbook launch party
My book launch party & pub trivia night at Basic City Beer Company was a blast. What a way to bring The Novel Editing Workbook into the world!

“Fiction Editing Secrets – Cut, Replace & Succeed
Virtual Workshop, South Jersey Writers’ Group
May 21, 2020

“Marketing Beyond Social Media” (moderator)
James River Writers’ Writing Show, Richmond, VA
February 26, 2020

Grammartopia & Chasing Histories Challenge (co-presented with Karen A. Chase)
OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA
February 19, 2020

The Novel Editing Workbook Book Launch & Pub Trivia Challenge
Basic City Beer Co, Richmond, VA
February 6, 2020

Professional Email Communication Workshop
CarMax Corporate Headquarters, Richmond, VA
January 14, 2020

Grammartopia: Seven Hills
Seven Hills School, Richmond, VA
November 6, 2019

Being the keynote for Urban Fiction Experience 2019 was an absolute blast. I love team events with my Grammartopia program. Librarians (left) vs. Authors (right). What fun. And the authors won!

“The Power of a Precision with Your Words” Intensive Session
James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA
October 13, 2019

Grammartopia: Authors vs. Librarians
Urban Fiction Experience 2019
September 21, 2019

Grammartopia-RVA II
Libbie Mill Library, Richmond, VA
July 25, 2019

“Writers in the Park” host for James River Writers
Maymont Park, Richmond, VA
June 1, 2019

Seeking Grammartopia: Elevating the Precision of our Words Workshop
Write Now! Conference, Raleigh, NC
April 27, 2019

“Seeking Grammartopia: Elevating the Precision of Our Words in Email Communications and Beyond”
International Association of Business Communicators Heritage Region Conference
November 12, 2018

“Editing Tricks & Tips” presentation at the James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA, October 2018

Editor’s Panel
Riverside Young Writers Conference, Fredericksburg, VA
November 3, 2018

“But Is It Funny? How to Infuse Humor” panel (moderator)
James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA
October 14, 2018

“Replenishing Your Creativity Toolkit” panel (moderator)
James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA
October 14, 2018

“Editing Tips and Tricks” Intensive Session
James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA
October 13, 2018

“Grammartopia-VCU”
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
August 13, 2018

“The Power of Word Choice” (Moderator)
James River Writers’ Writing Show, The Firehouse Theatre, Richmond, VA
July 25, 2018

Fiction of the Hunt - Kris Spisak reading
My reading at the 2nd annual RVA Lit Crawl at the Tottering Teacup for “Fiction of the Hunt.”

“Find & Replace: Edit Like a Pro” Workshop
The Writers Center, Bethesda, MD
July 2 – 9, 2018

“Fiction of the Hunt,” RVA Lit Crawl Reading
The Tottering Teacup, Richmond, VA
April 21, 2018

“Grammartopia-ARGS”
Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, Petersburg, VA
February 11, 2018

“Nuts and Bolts of Editing for Indie Publishing”
Agile Writer Conference, Richmond, VA
January 27, 2018

“Find and Replace: Final Edit Secrets to Elevate Your Manuscript”
Roanoke Regional Writer’s Conference, Roanoke, VA
January 20, 2018

I had the honor of kicking off Writers Fest at Appomattox Regional Governor’s School in Petersburg, Virginia in February of 2018.

“Changing the World One Word at a Time”
Mechanicsville Rotary Club Meeting, Mechanicsville, VA
October 14, 2017

“Grammartopia-Durham”
Durham County, South Regional Library, Durham, NC
November 19, 2017

Festival of the Written Word
Chesterfield County Public Library, Midlothian, VA
November 4, 2017

“Polishing Your Pearls: Editing” (Moderating)
James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA
October 14, 2017

“Grammartopia-Chesterfield”
Steambell Beer Works, Midlothian, VA
September 28, 2017

“Grammartopia-Chesterfield,” Midlothian, VA, September 2017

“Nuts and Bolts of Indie Publishing”
Virginia Writers Club annual Navigating Your Writing Life Symposium, Charlottesville, VA
August 5, 2017

“Words Matter, RVA”
Richmond Public Library – Main Branch, Richmond, VA
June 1, 2017

“Editing Like a Pro” Workshop
Riverside Young Writers Club, Fredericksburg, VA
May 27, 2017

“Using Your Words Well” Workshop
Hanover High School, Hanover, VA
May 12, 2017

“Grammartopia-RVA” (Get a Grip on Your Grammar: 250 Writing and Editing Reminders… Book Launch!)
Gallery 5, Richmond, VA
April 19, 2017

“Professional Email Communications & Writing for the Web”
Naval Ophthalmic Support and Training Activity, Yorktown, VA
April 18, 2017

“The Hidden Philosophies of Lewis Carroll: Unraveling Wonderland”
The City of Richmond’s 2017 Seniors Book Club Launch, Richmond, VA
February 10, 2017

Excellence in Communication Training

“Elevating Your Online Presence”
Annual Southeast Jurisdiction of Methodist Foundations Conference, Charlottesville, VA
February 6, 2017

“Befriending the Editing Scissors” (Moderator)
James River Writers’ Writing Show, The Firehouse Theatre, Richmond, VA
January 25, 2017

“Action and Reaction: Capturing Movement on the Page” (Moderator)
James River Writers’ Writing Show, The Firehouse Theatre, Richmond, VA
September 28, 2016

Online Presence Keynote
National Association of United Methodist Foundations Annual Communications Workshop, Richmond, VA
July 28, 2016

“The Hidden Philosophies of Lewis Carroll: Unraveling Wonderland”
5100 Book Club, Richmond, VA
May 10, 2016

Kris Spisak Master Class at JRWC15
(Image from my 2015 James River Writers Master Class: Nuts & Bolts, Editing Like a Pro)

“Nuts & Bolts: Editing your Work like a Pro” (Master Class)
James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA
October 16, 2015

“First Pages” Panel
James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA
October 18, 2015

Professional Email Communication Workshop
CarMax Corporate Headquarters, Richmond, VA
September 21, 2015

Professional Email Communication Workshop
CarMax Corporate Headquarters, Richmond, VA
September 2, 2015

Professional Email Communication Workshop
CarMax Corporate Headquarters, Richmond, VA
August 17, 2015

Professional Email Communication Workshop
CarMax Corporate Headquarters, Richmond, VA
July 24, 2015

“Life After Rejection: What to do before you query again” (Moderator)
James River Writers’ Writing Show, The Firehouse Theatre, Richmond, VA
March 25, 2015

“Plotters vs. Pantsers” (Moderator)
James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA
October 19, 2014

“Other Desert Cities” Discussion Panel
Virginia Repertory Theatre, Richmond, VA
May 3 & May 9, 2014

Virginia Repertory Theatre Coffee Chat (Moderator)
Richmond, VA
April 8, 2014

“Know Your Audience, Know Your Voice”
Cosby High School, Midlothian, VA
September 19 & 20, 2013

“Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Content Writers”
International Association of Business Communicators Meeting, Richmond, VA
April 4, 2013

“Making a Book from Query to Release” (Moderator)
James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA
October 21, 2012

“Opportunities Abound: Markets For Your Words” (Moderator)
James River Writers Conference, Richmond, VA
October 21, 2012

“The Art of Creation: How to Craft Strong Fiction”
Oak Knoll Middle School, Mechanicsville, VA
August 8, 2012

“You’ve Written the Book, Now What?” Writing Workshop
Carver Middle School, Chester, VA
December 14, 2011

The Value of Creative Writing: Language Arts Faculty Workshop
Carver Middle School, Chester, VA
November 30, 2011

Imagery & Metaphor Writing Workshop
Carver Middle School, Chester, VA
November 9, 2011

“Depth of Character & Setting” Writing Workshop
Carver Middle School, Chester, VA
October 26, 2011

Freewriting Workshop
Carver Middle School, Chester, VA
October 19, 2011

“Power of the Pen” Writing Workshop
Carver Middle School, Chester, VA
October 12, 2011

“The Agent Relationship” (Moderator)
James River Writers Conference ’11, Richmond, VA
October 8, 2011

“Writing Richmond: Researching and Capturing our City” (Moderator)
James River Writers’ Writing Show, Richmond, VA
January 27, 2011

“The Hidden Philosophies of Lewis Carroll: Unraveling Wonderland”
Virginia Commonwealth University Literati Club, Richmond, VA
October 27, 2010

“Idea to Bookstore Shelf” (Moderator)
James River Writers Conference ’10, Richmond, VA
October 9, 2010

Welcome Address
James River Writers Conference ’10, Richmond, VA
October 8, 2010

“Revealing History: Researching for Fiction and Non-fiction”
Chesterfield County Library Writer’s Workshop, Chesterfield, VA
March 13, 2010

“Cut & Paste, Rewritten & Erased: Q & A with Editors” (Moderator)
James River Writers Conference ’09, Richmond, VA.
October 10, 2009

“Versed from Elite to Street: Poetry for the Page & Stage” (Moderator)
James River Writers Conference ’09, Richmond, VA
October 10, 2009

“A Fear of Intimacy: Misinterpretation of Themes due to the Sensationalism of the Sexual in Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s novel, Emile, and Madonna’s music video, Like a Prayer”
Virginia Community College Faculty Research Symposium, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA.
April 2008

“The Fun of Fiction: How to Write Your Caldecott winning book”
St. Catherine’s and St. Christopher’s Schools (2nd grade classes), Richmond, VA.
February 2007

“Writing Strong Fiction”
St. Catherine’s School (6th grade class), Richmond, VA.
April 2005