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)

April 16: Ready Chapter 1 “Agent Summit”

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

November 1: Off the Page Literary Festival/Publishing Day “Get Paid to Write Books for Others: Ghostwriting, Work-for-Hire, and Educational Publishing” & “Ask an Editor” 1:1 sessions (Sarasota, FL)an

2025 events

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

May 15-17: Acquired Workshop (Zoom)

July 17-19: Acquired Workshop (Zoom)

August 21-23: Acquired Workshop (Zoom)

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

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

November 1: Off the Page Literary Festival “Beyond the Book: Getting Paid to Write—Magazines, Freelance Markets, & More” & “Ask an Editor” 1:1 sessions (Sarasota, FL)

November 8: SCBWI Florida CritiqueFest (Zoom)

November 13-15: Acquired Workshop (Zoom)

Popular Talks & workshops

Why Good Manuscripts Get Rejected: What’s Actually Happening Behind the Scenes
The Business of Creative Writing: Freelancing, Branding, Marketing, & More
Sell It Smart: 10 Tips for a Winning Nonfiction Book Proposal
Beyond the Book: IP Writing, Work-for-hire, and the Educational Market
The Long Game: Building a Sustainable Creative Life
All I Need to Know About Writing I Learned from Dungeons & Dragons

Each can be delivered as a one-hour presentation, or expanded into a hands-on workshop. Ryan can also created session from the ground up for specific audiences and events.

Looking for kidlit and picture-book craft sessions? Visit Ryan’s Picture Book Doctor speaking page.

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

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.