Speaking & Workshops

Ryan G. Van Cleave is the author of more than 100 books, Editorial Director at Bushel & Peck Books, a longtime college writing professor, and the voice behind the Only Picture Books blog. Whether he’s speaking to writers, educators, students, or creative professionals, Ryan delivers practical insight and sessions shaped for the people in the room.

2026 events

March 27: WIFYR “Why Good Manuscripts Get Rejected: What’s Actually Happening Behind the Scenes” (Zoom)

June 15-June 19: WIFYR Nonfiction Kidlit Workshop (Draper, UT)

July 31-August 1: FAPA Con (Orlando, FL)

2025 events

November 8: SCBWI Florida CritiqueFest (Zoom)

October 23: Art Schools Network Conference “Journaling for Personal Growth & Development” (Sarasota, FL)

October 14: Rate Your Story Professional Series Workshop (Zoom)

February 8: Sons of the American Revolution “Research and Creativity in Agent 355” (Sarasota, FL)

Popular Talks & workshops

Why Good Manuscripts Get Rejected

A candid look at what agents, editors, and publishing teams respond to fast, where strong work loses steam, and why “good” so often falls short of “yes.”

The Business of Creative Writing

A lively, practical session on building a writing life with more strategy, more options, and a clearer sense of how the industry actually works.

The Nonfiction Book Proposal That Sells

Ten sharp insider strategies for turning a solid idea into a proposal that feels clear, persuasive, and ready for the market.

Make the Page Sing

A high-energy talk on voice, clarity, rhythm, and the craft choices that make writing feel alive, memorable, and unmistakably human.

Research with a Pulse

How facts, history, and deep digging become vivid, compelling writing instead of flat information dumps.

PARTIAL LIST OF HOSTS, CONFERENCES, AND ORGANIZATIONS

Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP)
Authors Connection
Brattleboro Retreat
Clemson University
Florida Librarians Association
Florida Writers Association
Fruitville Public Library
Furman University
Institute for Integral Development
Landmark College
Miami Book Fair International
Mountain Health Education Center
Ringling College of Art and Design
Sarasota Public Libraries
SCBWI Florida
Sebring Scribblers
SECAC Conference
Selby Public Library
Sons of the American Revolution
South Carolina Festival of the Book
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Festival of Books
Suncoast Writers Guild
University of Calgary
Writer’s Digest Conference
WIFYR

selected media appearances

ABC News 7
Associated Press
CNN Headline News
Coast to Coast
Elmira Star-Gazette
Fox 13
NewsProNet / Sweeps Feed
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
SiriusXM
Today’s WTMJ/NBC

Testimonials

Rated 5 out of 5

Thank you for your great presentation. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and I've already been asked if we can get you back sometime in the future.

George Mindling
Florida Writers Association

Rated 5 out of 5

Thank you. I cannot stress this enough: You have CHANGED MY LIFE.

Esty Loveing Downes
Ringling College graduate (now a literary agent at Howland)

Rated 5 out of 5

I really enjoyed the presentation. Your book was extremely helpful when I crafted my own proposal and pitch.

Julieanna Blackwell
editor at 805 LITERARY AND ARTS JOURNAL

Rated 5 out of 5

I think your talk went great--extremely informative. I also really appreciated your insight about Amazon.

Susan Klaus
author SHARK FIN SOUP (Oceanview Publishing)

Need bios, headshots, and event info? View Ryan’s Press Kit.