Speaking Engagements
Sarah Sundin enjoys speaking to community, school, and church groups, and loves to teach workshops for writers.
Use the navigation in this section to learn about Sarah’s speaking topics. Please use the Speaking Request Form to ask questions or submit an invitation.
Sarah Sundin speaking at Fresno State University, November 4, 2019
“Sarah’s presentation was excellent – with much valuable information, interesting anecdotes, fascinating history, and nicely punctuated with her lovely sense of humor. It was a genuine pleasure listening to her talk.”—PEO Organization, Pleasanton, CA
Speaking Topics
Here are my prepared talks, but I can also tailor a topic to meet the needs of your organization.
Rosie the Riveter and Friends: Lessons from the 1940s Woman
The World War II era was a fascinating time for women. They took new jobs in the military or in factories, they volunteered on the Home Front, and they lived by the motto, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” Using the posters of World War II, we’ll explore how women dealt with these great challenges, and we’ll be inspired by their commitment to work, community, and home.
The Women of D-Day
Although no women landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, they were involved in many vital and significant ways. We’ll explore how these unsung women helped plan and support this historic event.
Birth of a Novel
How does an author actually write a novel? Come behind the scenes and see how plots and characters are crafted.
Writing is Rewriting
Appropriate for public schools, private schools, or homeschool groups, upper elementary through high school—also works well on Zoom. Students hate editing their work! This workshop details the many levels of edits professional writers go through, using actual marked-up pages, and describes what the author looks for at each level.
Here are my prepared talks, but I can also tailor a topic to meet the needs of your organization.
Rosie the Riveter and Friends: Lessons from the 1940s Woman
The World War II era was a fascinating time for women. They took new jobs in the military or in factories, they volunteered on the Home Front, and they lived by the motto, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” Using the posters of World War II, we’ll explore how women dealt with these great challenges, and we’ll be inspired by their commitment to work, community, and home.
Blessed Are…Encouragement from the Beatitudes
Available as a workshop or for a weekend retreat. In the Beatitudes, Jesus paints a startling portrait of the Christian character which stands in stark opposition to what is valued in modern American society. In these sayings, we find strength to become the women Jesus wants us to be. We find encouragement to endure life’s difficulties. And we find the way to encourage our friends, binding us together. Together, let’s explore God’s shocking blessings.
In God’s Waiting Room
Available as a workshop or for a weekend retreat. All of us go through seasons of waiting in life. In fact, waiting seems to be one of the Lord’s favorite teaching methods. While we sit in God’s waiting room, we can let the Muzak get to us and give way to fear, doubt, and despair, or we can flip through God’s Magazine and learn how to trust Him, seek Him, and live in hope. Together we can allow the Lord to turn waiting from trial to triumph.
Simplify Christmas
Does Christmas bring more stress than joy? More chaos than peace? We’ll look at the reasons to simplify our holidays and some practical tips for doing so. Let’s move from pressure, guilt, comparison, and debt to a true celebration!
Shoving off Shame
Shame is the voice in our heads saying, “I’m a horrible person. I’m not worthy. God could never use me,” and it incapacitates us. We’ll look at how God doesn’t want us to live under a heavy cloak of shame because Christ redeems us, covers us, and restores us. Plus we’ll look at tools for shoving off shame.
Diapers and Dreams
For most women, becoming a mom fulfills a lifelong dream. But you don’t stop being YOU, with your personal dreams and interests. In this workshop, we take a look at our dreams and discuss practical tips on what to do with them when you have little ones at home.
Here are my prepared talks, but I can also tailor a topic to meet the needs of your organization.
Historical Research for Fiction Writers: Enrich and Deepen Your Story
Accurate details in historical fiction lend authenticity and color. We will discuss principles of conducting historical research, resources to explore, and how to document and organize your research.
Making Fiction Come to Life
“I felt like I was there!” In this workshop, we’ll explore ways to draw readers into our stories so they become the characters, so they live in the setting, and so the plot fully engages them. Also, we’ll look at how to describe the story world without overwhelming the reader with details.
How to Make Historical Fiction Come to Life
In this workshop, we’ll discuss how to bring the past to life through plotting, characterization, and setting, and we’ll learn how to weave in historical details in a way that enlightens readers but never overwhelms them or bogs down the story.
Crafting Characters Who Resonate with Readers
Every author wants characters who feel real to the reader—characters with strengths and weaknesses, quirks and flaws, hurts and secrets and fears and dreams. In this workshop we’ll explore how to delve into nature, nurture, and experience to craft memorable and believable characters.
Setting the Scene—Writing Scenes That Live
Scenes are where your story comes to life. We’ll explore how to start a scene that grabs readers and grounds them in your world, how to use each scene to drive the story forward, and how to end the scene in a way that leaves them wanting more.
Under the Tent—Unveiling Structure to Unleash Your Story
Does your novel sag or drag or rush? Need to inject conflict or twists? Want to improve character development? You’ll find solutions in a surprising source—understanding story structure! In this workshop we’ll discover how to use the “tent” of structure to build stories that resonate with your readers.
Serious about Series: Tips on Writing a Seriously Good Fiction Series
Learn how to use connection, consistency, and contrast to build a fiction series that readers clamor for.
Fiction Boot Camp
Drop and give me ten! Ten basics for fiction writing, that is. We’ll look at common issues seen in first novels from dialogue to point-of-view to setting up a scene. We’ll learn some fiction lingo and we’ll outline the steps to publication. Prepare to sweat—and learn.
The Super Synopsis – From Dread to “Done”!
Few things inspire more dread in the heart of a novelist than the word “synopsis.” We can write a novel faster than a speeding bullet, but the synopsis is our kryptonite. Learn some tools to bring this villain to his knees – and convert him into an ally in your quest for truth, justice, and a publishing contract.
No Missed Deadlines—Strategies to Keep You on Track
Writing for publication means deadlines—not only for manuscripts, but for publisher’s title questionnaires, blog interviews, endorsement requests, and more. Without a system of organization, things can fall through the cracks, tainting our professional reputation. In this workshop, we’ll explore practical ways to track assignments and manage goals, using calendars and charts and files.
For the Long Haul – Career Planning and Goal Setting
Designed for a 5-hour teaching track, but can be broken down into components. Making the transition from hobby writer to professional takes more than great writing. We’ll discuss how to develop a professional mindset and habits. We’ll look at career planning, goal setting, organization, and time management. And we’ll explore practical low-tech and high-tech tips to help you meet your goals.
In God’s Waiting Room
All writers go through seasons of waiting. In fact, waiting seems to be one of the Lord’s favorite teaching methods. While we sit in God’s waiting room, we can let the Muzak get to us and give way to fear, doubt, and despair, or we can flip through God’s Magazine and learn how to trust Him, seek Him, and live in hope. Together we can allow the Lord to turn waiting from trial to triumph.
Blessed Are…The Beatitudes for Christian Writers
In the Beatitudes, Jesus paints a startling portrait of the Christian character which stands in stark opposition to what is valued in modern American society. In these sayings, we find strength to become the writers Jesus wants us to be. We find encouragement to endure the difficulties of the writing life. And we find the way to encourage our readers to persevere.
Speaking Request Form
Upcoming Events
I’ll be teaching a new workshop called “Under the Tent—Unveiling Structure to Unleash Your Story” and serving as co-director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference to be held October 18-20, 2023 at Bridgeway Church in Roseville, CA! In-person registration is now closed, but you can still purchase a Digital Access Pass to attend the online conference!
I’ll be having an author chat online at the New York Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, at 5 pm EST, about The Sound of Light and the rescue of the Danish Jews in World War II. The event is free, but please register online at the link below.
I’ll be meeting on Zoom with a book club in Tennessee, as they discuss The Sound of Light.
I’ll be teaching a workshop called “Fiction Boot Camp” at the American Christian Fiction Writers Virginia Royal Writers Conference, to be held online November 3-4, 2023. Registration is open through October 30, 2023.
I’ll be teaching a workshop called “Crafting Characters Who Resonate with Readers” online for the American Christian Fiction Writers Georgia Chapter.
Recent Events
On September 11, 2023, I chatted online with the book club at the Duncan Falls/Philo Branch Library in Ohio as they discussed The Sound of Light.
I taught a workshop on “How to Make Historical Fiction Come to Life” at the American Christian Fiction Writers Orange County meeting on August 10, 2023, in Orange, CA.
I met via Zoom with a book club in Brentwood, CA, as they discussed The Sound of Light.
I met in person with a book club in Temecula, CA, as they discussed Until Leaves Fall in Paris.
I taught a workshop on “No Missed Deadlines – Strategies to Keep You on Track” online to Faith, Hope, and Love Writers on April 18, 2023.
I signed copies of my latest WWII novel, The Sound of Light, at the Barnes & Noble store in Temecula, CA, on Saturday, March 11, 2023.
At the ACFW Virginia Royal Writers Virtual Conference, I taught a workshop on “Setting the Scene.”
I taught a workshop on “Crafting Characters Who Resonate with Readers” at the American Christian Fiction Writers Orange County meeting, Laguna Woods, CA.
I presented a workshop on “Crafting Characters” at the online FlourishWriters Conference, October 6-31, 2022.
I spoke at the Greensburg-Hempfield Area Library on June 14, 2022 in Greensburg, PA.
At the Inspire Christian Writers Conference at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in Felton, CA, I taught three workshops: “Crafting Characters Who Resonate with Readers,” “The Super Synopsis: From Dread to Done!” and “Serious about Series: Tips on Writing a Seriously Good Fiction Series.”
Served as co-director of the 2022 West Coast Christian Writers Conference, held online. I taught a workshop called “Setting the Scene – Writing Scenes That Live.”
Spoke at Living Water Church in Cloverdale, CA, on “Rosie the Riveter and Friends – Lessons from the 1940s Woman.”