Annette Langer was a finalist in two categories in the prestigious Writers Digest national writing competition. She has contributed magazine articles for the Livermore Wine Country Literary Harvest Anthology and O'Brien's Literary Speculator Bright Beginnings Anthology. Frequently, her work can be found in the monthly literary e-newsletter Fox and Quill. Her shorter works have appeared in several anthologies, including the... read full bio
The woman Mediaweek says could very well be the next generation's Anna Quindlen" steps out from behind her celebrated New York Times column in a book about the intersection -- or more accurately collision -- of life and work. A few years ago, award-winning reporter Lisa Belkin left the office to work from home, amid the chaos of two young... read full bio
Becky's story is an inspiration. In 1996, at age 43, she went back to school while working a full-time job, to get her college degree. Three months later she was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer. She was given a 60% chance to survive past five years. She always jokes that she is thankful her doctors were wrong because it... read full bio
A breast cancer survivor since 1993, Beverly Kirkhart is the author of My Healing Companion, and the co-author of the revised edition of Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul: 101 Healing Stories About Those Who Have Survived Cancer. Designed to serve as a self-guided journal for anyone facing cancer (or any disease or disability), the book shares Kirkharts experiences coping,... read full bio
Alli Joseph has been telling stories since she invented Hooper, the narcoleptic diaper truck-driving dog who saved lives and was a prize-winning baker, when she was five. Today, Alli is a TV host, a producer of television shows, documentary films, and a published author. A Native New Yorker, Alli loves a good six-speed transmission and has been to racing school... read full bio
Henry Cole is the illustrator of many beloved books for children, including Jack and Jill's Treehouse, written by Pamela Duncan Edwards, and his own Jack's Garden and On Meadowview Street. He lives in Florida. ... read full bio
Joseph Bruchac, the Abenaki Indian author of Skeleton Man. Throughout Joseph Bruchac's short stories, poetry, picture books, and novels are echoes of the writer's Abenaki Indian heritage. In 2005, he was honored with the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award for his efforts to preserve Native American traditions, and bring to light issues of concern to contemporary Native cultures.... read full bio
A writer of lyric free verse, Galway Kinnell is among the post-war generation of American poets including Robert Bly, James Wright, James Dickey and W.S. Merwin. Like them, he incorporated more experimental language in his poetic verse. While Yeats was most notably an early influence, Whitman, Frost, and Rilke also inspired him; Whitman's Song of Myself, seen in The Avenue... read full bio
Ariel Dorfman is a renowned author and playwright who witnessed the coup in Chile in the 1970s, which inspired many of his plays and novels. He combines politics and human rights is most of his works. He has been a literature and Latin American Studies professor at Duke University since 1985. Dorfman has written multiple critically acclaimed plays including Death... read full bio
Through a lively interactive presentation, donors will learn how they might do more financially to benefit themselves, their families and the causes and organizations that they care about.... read full bio
Art Costello is a visionary mind coach who finds joy in uncovering the full potential of others. He can help you shed your limiting beliefs and misguided expectations to become more prepared, more successful, and lead a more joyful life. Art draws from his own immensely varied achievements and experiences as a mental health counselor, psychology student, successful entrepreneur, Vietnam... read full bio
David's most popular keynote is "How to Click with Everyone Every Time!" It is based on his best selling book of the same title which has been called the modern day version of Dale Carnegie's classic How to Win Friends & Influence People. His seminar and breakout presentations are his "Contagious Series." For sales professionals, Contagious Selling (based... read full bio
Alyce Cornyn-Selby is an award winner in many fields. From design to photography to scriptwriting, and just being a total go-getter, Alyce can do it. She is a recognized master of knowing how to end self-sabotage, and has written several books including Why Winners Win, Teamwork & Team Sabotage, Whats Your Sabotage and Take Your Hands Off My Attitude. Selbys... read full bio
Annette Breaux is an author and speaker in the category of education. Her presentations and writings give insight into the relationships between teachers and students. As a former teacher, Breaux learned her techniques in the classroom. Now, she shares her programs with teachers of all kinds. She has developed expertise in student achievement, classroom management, and notably, her FIRST Program... read full bio
Arthur Golden is an American writer that is the author behind the New York Times Best Selling Novel, Memoirs of a Geisha, which has since been turned into an Academy Award winning film. He studied at Harvard University where he graduated with a degree in art history, specializing in Japanese art. He went on to earn his M.A. in Japanese... read full bio
Celia Rivenbark grew up in Duplin County, North Carolina. After attending college for several years, Rivenbark decided to work for her hometown newspaper, the Wallace, NC Enterprise. After finding success at the Enterprise, Rivenbark moved to write for the Wilmington, NC Morning Star. She developed a weekly humor column at this newspaper, winning press awards like the national health journalism... read full bio
Devin Thorpe is an author, educator, and speaker who is founder of the Your Mark on the World Center. He is a Forbes contributor and also has his own YouTube show where he features celebrities, CEOs, billionaires, entrepreneurs who want to change the world. As a speaker, Thorpe has spoken twice at the United Nations and twice at Johnson &... read full bio
Joyce Vedral, PhD has taught in the New York City school system for many years (Kindergarten through 12th grade). Eventually, she came a full-fledged professor of English Literature. She taught for years and experienced a lot of success, but found herself packing on the pounds and that had an impact on her career. Needless to say, she tried diet after... read full bio
Rachel Simon is the critically acclaimed author of six books, the best known of which are the novel The Story of Beautiful Girl and the memoir Riding The Bus With My Sister. Her other books are the memoir The House on Teacher's Lane; an inspirational book for writers, The Writer's Survival Guide; a novel, The Magic Touch; and a collection... read full bio
Bill Clegg came to New York at the age of 21 to start a career in book publishing. By 30, he had a thriving literary agency. By 35 he'd lost the agency, his decade-long relationship, his reputation and nearly his life from a crack cocaine addiction. After a major drug binge and suicide attempt, Clegg went from the hospital to... read full bio
