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
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)
Feb 8: Sons of the American Revolution “Research and Creativity in Agent 355” (Sarasota, FL)
Popular Presentations
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
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
© Ryan G. Van Cleave 2026 | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy Information