Speaking and Events

Jane Friedman speaking

I’ve been speaking at writing and publishing conferences since 2001.

I offer keynotes, workshops, and master classes

I have spoken at hundreds of events, including writing conferences, industry fairs, and creative writing programs. I care deeply about serving writers—and all those in the creative professions—and helping them succeed in their careers.

In-depth knowledge of writing and publishing

With 25+ years of industry experience, I know how to deliver practical and comprehensive information that anticipates the needs of the audience, directly addresses their concerns, and offers both understanding and answers.

Open to all inquiries

Compensation varies based on the nature of the event and audience, as well as the topic. If you download my speaking kit, you’ll find out more about pricing and terms.

I’m happy to consider in-person and online speaking invitations.

In-person speaking
Conference speaking

I am open to in-person and virtual speaking engagements.

Virtual/online speaking
Online teaching

I partner with organizations such as Writer’s Digest and the Authors Guild, as well as countless creative writing programs.

Upcoming Conferences


What Do Writers Have to Fear? An evening with Jane Friedman, sponsored by Cincinnati Fiction Writers. Monday, June 26, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., The Falcon Theater, 636 Monmouth St, Newport, KY.

What Do Writers Have to Fear?

Newport, KY (in person) • June 26, 2023

Presenter

Midwest Writers Workshop Annual Conference. Join us July 19–22, 2023, Muncie, Indiana. Celebrating 50 years.

Midwest Writers Workshop

Muncie, IN (in person) • July 19–22, 2023

Speaker

Into the Springs Writers Workshop logo

Into the Springs Writers Workshop

Yellow Springs, OH (in person) • Aug. 4–6, 2023

Speaker

Ozark Creative Writers, Writing in the Ozarks. October 12–14, 2023.

Ozark Creative Writers Conference

Eureka Springs, AR (in person) • Oct. 12–14, 2023

Speaker

Testimonials

I just wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation for your keynote at the EFA Conference. I keep thinking back to how well you set the tone of the conference. I’ve been very nervous about things like self-promotion, logistics, and being able to talk about my business as a business, and you both provided great grounds for me to feel good about acknowledging my work as work and also included some really solid advice about how to go about that work. I’ve been reviewing my notes from your presentation, and I really believe that your keynote will help me to skip months or even years of mindset-based mistakes.

Frank Cernik

Frank Cernik

Scoria Press

Throughout the year, I listen to a lot of authors, writers, teachers, and publishers talk about the current state of writing and publishing, too often hearing something like: “Sure, go ahead and write, but don’t get your hopes up. …” Jane’s message is very different. … After listening to her explain the current state of publishing, writing, and connecting, you could feel a lively energy buzz around the room, and uplifting of creativity, a juicy excitement about what we are all doing.

Linda Joy Myers

Linda Joy Myers

National association of memoir writers

Midwest Writers Workshop, 2019

Pikes Peak Writers Conference, 2022

Emerging Writers Festival, 2019


Past Events

  • BLK INK Virtual Writer’s Workshop (2023)
  • The Muse & The Marketplace (2023)
  • SCBWI Winter Conference (2023)
  • The History Quill Convention (2023 keynote)
  • Goucher MFA residency (2023)
  • Solstice MFA at Lasell (2023)
  • Digital Book World (2023)
  • Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop (2022)
  • Women’s Fiction Writers Association retreat (2022)
  • Manuscript to Marketplace keynote (2022 keynote)
  • Midwest Writers Workshop (2022)
  • Pikes Peak Writers Conference keynote (2022)
  • The History Quill Writers Convention (2022)
  • IPNE Independent Publishers and Authors Conference (2021)
  • Authors Guild Business Bootcamps (2021)
  • Maryland Writers Association keynote (2021)
  • Woodhall Press Writers Conference (2021)
  • 1455 Literary Festival (2021)
  • Historical Novel Society Conference (2021)
  • California Crime Writers Conference (2021)
  • Princeton Library Author Day (2021)
  • Authors Guild Panel: Trends and Opportunities in Publishing (2021)
  • Henderson Writers Group (2021)
  • Simon Fraser University Emerging Leaders in Publishing Summit (2021)
  • Writer’s Digest Conference (2020)
  • Romance Organisation of South Africa keynote (2020)
  • Write on the Sound (2020)
  • The Loft Wordsmith Conference (2020)
  • Sisters in Crime (NorCal chapter, 2020)
  • Digital Book World (2020)
  • StoryShop Summit (2020)
  • DeSales MFA residency (2020)
  • Missouri RWA (2019)
  • AdThrive Summit (2019)
  • Northeast Ohio RWA (2019)
  • Emerging Writers Festival (2019)
  • Society of Children’s Book Writer’s & Illustrators Conference – LA (2019)
  • Indiana Writers Center masterclass (2019)
  • Midwest Writers Workshop (2019)
  • VQR Writers Conference (2018–2019)
  • Stockholm Writers Festival keynote (2019)
  • University of Baltimore MFA Reading series (2019)
  • James River Writers’ The Writing Show (2019)
  • DPLAfest (2019)
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison Writers Conference keynote (2019)
  • Creative Nonfiction Foundation workshop (2019)
  • San Francisco Writers Conference keynote (2019)
  • Virginia Center for the Literary Arts (2019)
  • BookBaby Independent Authors Conference (2018)
  • Writer’s Digest indieLAB (2018)
  • Kentucky Women Writers Conference (2018)
  • Northern California Mystery Writers of America workshop (2018)
  • Bay Area Independent Publishers Association / BAIPA (2018)
  • Mechanics’ Institute Library / SFWC workshop (2018)
  • Mendocino Writers Workshop (2018)
  • The Writer’s Studio / Simon Fraser University (2018)
  • Dietitians of Canada National Conference (2018)
  • Las Vegas Writers Conference keynote (2018)
  • Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop (2018)
  • San Miguel Writers Conference keynote (2018)
  • Roanoke Regional Writers Conference keynote (2018)
  • Virginia RWA (2018)
  • Murray State Low-Res MFA Program (2018)
  • Dubai Knowledge Summit (2017)
  • Alaska Writers Guild keynote (2017)
  • Fiction Fest / Connecticut RWA (2017)
  • Toronto Romance Writers of America (2016)
  • Eastern Shore Writer’s Day (2016)
  • Editorial Freelancers Association (2016 keynote)
  • Willamette Writers Conference (2016 keynote)
  • Trends in Publishing Summit, Global Bible Publishing (2016)
  • Writers’ Intensive at St. John’s College (2016 keynote)
  • Indie Author Fringe (2016)
  • International Association of Culinary Professionals (2016)
  • Geneva Writers Conference (2016)
  • San Francisco Writers Conference (2016 keynote)
  • West Virginia Book Festival (2015)
  • NINC (2015)
  • International Women’s Fiction Festival (2014, 2015)
  • Hippocamp Creative Nonfiction Conference (2015 keynote)
  • World Domination Summit (2015)
  • The Writer’s Center Publish Now Conference (2015 keynote)
  • Houston Writers Guild conference (2015 keynote)
  • IDPF Digital Book Conference (2015)
  • BookExpo America and uPublishU (2014)
  • The Muse & The Marketplace (2014 keynote) — watch the hourlong talk
  • PubSmart (2014 keynote)
  • University of Madison Writers’ Institute (2014 keynote)
  • Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Conference – NYC (2014)
  • Blurb Book Fest (2014)
  • James River Writers Conference (2014)
  • Frankfurt Book Fair (2013)
  • Pennwriters Conference (multiple years)
  • MidAtlantic Book Publishers Association (2013)
  • Washington Book Publishers (2013)
  • University of Evansville Coffee Hour (2013)
  • The Write Stuff (2013 keynote)
  • Write! Canada (2013 keynote)
  • LitFlow Berlin (2012)
  • Whidbey MFA residency (2012)
  • SEAK National Fiction Writing Conference for Physicians & Lawyers (2012)
  • South by Southwest (2011)
  • PubCamp @ SXSW (2011)
  • Indianapolis Authors’ Fair (2011 keynote)
  • Writers’ League of Texas (2011 keynote)
  • Arkansas Writers Conference (2011 keynote)
  • Virginia Festival of the Book (multiple years)
  • AWP (multiple years)
  • PodCamp Cincinnati
  • San Francisco Writers Conference (multiple years)
  • Mad Anthony Writers Conference (multiple years)
  • Willamette Writers Conference (multiple years)
  • Pennwriters Conference (multiple years)
  • Aspen Summer Words
  • Missouri Writers Guild Conference
  • Oklahoma Writers Federation Conference
  • Surrey Writers Conference
  • Yosemite Writers Conference
  • North Carolina Writers Network
  • South Carolina Writers Workshop
  • Harriette Austin Writers Conference
  • Midwest Literary Festival
  • … and many more