Speaking Topics
Southern Festival of Books
I have spoken to a number of DAR chapters, book clubs, school events, conferences, writers groups, women's groups, and church groups. In 2010 I was invited to give a presentation on the American Patriot Series at the Southern Festival of Books, a popular annual book festival in Nashville, Tennessee.
Below is a sampling of subjects I speak on that may be of interest to your group. I am also open to requests for specific subjects. I incorporate audiovisuals as appropriate to enhance the presentation, and depending on the theme of your event, I can appear in colonial period costume if desired. For further details, please contact me via the form at the bottom of the page.
The American Revolution. As the author of a comprehensive historical fiction series on the Revolution that requires intensive independent research, I am qualified to speak on a wide range of topics focusing on the politics, society, culture, and military experience of the American colonial, French and Indian War, Revolutionary, and Constitutional eras. My presentation can be tailored to your group's interests and event themes.
Preaching Rebellion: The Role of the First Great Awakening in the American Revolution. The emotional revivals that swept through the colonies from the 1730s through the 1750s brought radical changes in religious thought and practice. In many unexpected ways, the upheaval of the First Great Awakening primed an entire generation of colonial men and women for the rebellion against England that followed in its wake.
Keeping the Peace in a Time of War: The Historic Peace Churches During the American Revolution. The Quakers, Mennonites, Amish, Moravians, and other pacifist groups suffered at times severe persecution from both patriots and loyalists for their refusal to take sides in the conflict. Yet even when their lives and property hung in the balance, they held fast to their witness against war.
Revolutionary Women: The Impact of the Revolution on Women’s Lives. For both the women who followed their husbands to war and those who stayed behind to tend farms, businesses, and families, the war brought danger, loss—and opportunity. Yet when the war ended, most returned to their restricted roles within their families.
Founding Mothers: The Contributions of Women to the American Revolution. Far from cowering fearfully at home waiting for news from their men on the battle fronts, women participated in the Revolution in ways that varied from maintaining their husbands’ businesses in their absence to active participation in the fighting as spies or even as soldiers in disguise. A review of the contributions the women of this heroic generation made to the struggle for our nation’s liberty.
The American Revolution in Indian Country. The white man’s conflict wreaked havoc upon the social, political, and economic structures of the Northeastern Native American tribes. It brought equal suffering to those who backed the eventual winners and those who supported the losers.
Black Patriots and Loyalists in the Revolution. Exploited by both the British and the Americans, black Americans tried to look out for their own interests in obtaining freedom. In the end, they were betrayed by both sides.
Patrick Henry: Lawyer, Orator, Man of God. Henry was not only a renowned lawyer and legislator whose way with words galvanized his countrymen to oppose Britain, but also a deeply committed Christian who based his life on the Bible.
George Washington and the Protection of Providence. By the accounts of his enemies, Washington repeatedly became their target in battle. Numerous times his clothes were pierced by bullets, and horses were shot out from under him. Yet he never suffered a scratch. What accounts for his safety in the midst of war?
The Faith of Our Founders. Today many commentators would have us believe that our Founders were either Deists or nonbelievers in God. The historical record and the writings of many of our Founders strongly indicates the opposite. This presentation focuses on what individual Founders really believed.
A Republic if You Can Keep It. When questioned about the form of government the Constitutional Convention of 1787 had chosen, Benjamin Franklin answered "A republic, if you can keep it." What did he mean? What was the most balanced form of government in the view of our Founders? What were their concerns, especially in relation to the example of the Republic of Rome? Where is the United States today in that progression?
FOR FUN
Making History Fun. How to engage children, teenagers, and adults in the joy of learning history through historical fiction.
18th Century Costume and Lifestyles. Style, fashion, and lifestyles in early America. What did Americans of various classes wear? How did fashion change as the colonies broke away from England and met the challenges of independence?
Manners in 18th Century America. What were the standards of acceptable behavior in early America? Includes an entertaining description of rakes, rogues, and scoundrels who boldly flouted convention.
Love and Marriage in 18th Century America. What were the customs in different regions of the country and how did they change over time? Did the people of early American have the same expectations we have today?
THE WRITING LIFE
Writing. As an author and professional editor, I speak and teach on a wide range of topics covering the profession and craft of writing, including marketing and how can you balance career and family life.
What Does a Writer Do? An overview of the writing career. Appropriate for school presentations and can be tailored to various age groups.
Publishing. As the publisher of a small press, I speak on how the publishing industry really works and what publishers do for and expect of their authors.
Below is a sampling of subjects I speak on that may be of interest to your group. I am also open to requests for specific subjects. I incorporate audiovisuals as appropriate to enhance the presentation, and depending on the theme of your event, I can appear in colonial period costume if desired. For further details, please contact me via the form at the bottom of the page.
The American Revolution. As the author of a comprehensive historical fiction series on the Revolution that requires intensive independent research, I am qualified to speak on a wide range of topics focusing on the politics, society, culture, and military experience of the American colonial, French and Indian War, Revolutionary, and Constitutional eras. My presentation can be tailored to your group's interests and event themes.
Preaching Rebellion: The Role of the First Great Awakening in the American Revolution. The emotional revivals that swept through the colonies from the 1730s through the 1750s brought radical changes in religious thought and practice. In many unexpected ways, the upheaval of the First Great Awakening primed an entire generation of colonial men and women for the rebellion against England that followed in its wake.
Keeping the Peace in a Time of War: The Historic Peace Churches During the American Revolution. The Quakers, Mennonites, Amish, Moravians, and other pacifist groups suffered at times severe persecution from both patriots and loyalists for their refusal to take sides in the conflict. Yet even when their lives and property hung in the balance, they held fast to their witness against war.
Revolutionary Women: The Impact of the Revolution on Women’s Lives. For both the women who followed their husbands to war and those who stayed behind to tend farms, businesses, and families, the war brought danger, loss—and opportunity. Yet when the war ended, most returned to their restricted roles within their families.
Founding Mothers: The Contributions of Women to the American Revolution. Far from cowering fearfully at home waiting for news from their men on the battle fronts, women participated in the Revolution in ways that varied from maintaining their husbands’ businesses in their absence to active participation in the fighting as spies or even as soldiers in disguise. A review of the contributions the women of this heroic generation made to the struggle for our nation’s liberty.
The American Revolution in Indian Country. The white man’s conflict wreaked havoc upon the social, political, and economic structures of the Northeastern Native American tribes. It brought equal suffering to those who backed the eventual winners and those who supported the losers.
Black Patriots and Loyalists in the Revolution. Exploited by both the British and the Americans, black Americans tried to look out for their own interests in obtaining freedom. In the end, they were betrayed by both sides.
Patrick Henry: Lawyer, Orator, Man of God. Henry was not only a renowned lawyer and legislator whose way with words galvanized his countrymen to oppose Britain, but also a deeply committed Christian who based his life on the Bible.
George Washington and the Protection of Providence. By the accounts of his enemies, Washington repeatedly became their target in battle. Numerous times his clothes were pierced by bullets, and horses were shot out from under him. Yet he never suffered a scratch. What accounts for his safety in the midst of war?
The Faith of Our Founders. Today many commentators would have us believe that our Founders were either Deists or nonbelievers in God. The historical record and the writings of many of our Founders strongly indicates the opposite. This presentation focuses on what individual Founders really believed.
A Republic if You Can Keep It. When questioned about the form of government the Constitutional Convention of 1787 had chosen, Benjamin Franklin answered "A republic, if you can keep it." What did he mean? What was the most balanced form of government in the view of our Founders? What were their concerns, especially in relation to the example of the Republic of Rome? Where is the United States today in that progression?
FOR FUN
Making History Fun. How to engage children, teenagers, and adults in the joy of learning history through historical fiction.
18th Century Costume and Lifestyles. Style, fashion, and lifestyles in early America. What did Americans of various classes wear? How did fashion change as the colonies broke away from England and met the challenges of independence?
Manners in 18th Century America. What were the standards of acceptable behavior in early America? Includes an entertaining description of rakes, rogues, and scoundrels who boldly flouted convention.
Love and Marriage in 18th Century America. What were the customs in different regions of the country and how did they change over time? Did the people of early American have the same expectations we have today?
THE WRITING LIFE
Writing. As an author and professional editor, I speak and teach on a wide range of topics covering the profession and craft of writing, including marketing and how can you balance career and family life.
What Does a Writer Do? An overview of the writing career. Appropriate for school presentations and can be tailored to various age groups.
Publishing. As the publisher of a small press, I speak on how the publishing industry really works and what publishers do for and expect of their authors.
