Writers dream of the moment they step up to the stage. But how can our voice, our stance, our speed, and our substance live up the potential we want to share? Speech coach and media expert Joan Bowling will share her best advice to let your words shine, whether they’re said in an elevator with an industry pro or in front of a television camera. At this specially designed pre-conference event, attendees will have a chance to give their brief book pitches or share a mini reading to gain personalized advice from a pro. You don’t want to miss it!
SPEAKERS
Joan Bowling
Joan Bowling is a top motivational sales trainer, speaker and presentation coach. She is passionate about the world of sales, is a skilled teacher and loves the spoken word. As owner of Joan Bowling Presents, LLC, her witty style and easy communication inspire others to make the changes they need to communicate more effectively to engage more fully with customers, clients, and staff.
Her devotion to selling was recognized with a coveted Sammie award for broadcast sales. She is a five-time Sterling Club winner for direct marketing sales and was twice nominated as the National Association of Women Business Owners’ (NAWBO) Member of the Year and is the recipient of the coveted National Speaker’s Association/Virginia 2011 Idol Virginia award. She received Second Place in the 2017 Toastmasters District 66 International Speech Competition.
Joan’s career began in broadcast sales for nearly two decades, live television hosting for 10 years, and co-founded a successful Richmond advertising agency.
If her voice sounds familiar in Virginia, you’ve probably heard Joan’s radio commercials for Strange’s Florist. Or you might have visited a gas station, where she was the voice of the gas pump!
Based in Richmond, Virginia, Joan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Pittsburgh in English Education. She is immediate Past President of the National Speakers Association/Virginia, former Area Director for Toastmasters and attends Powhatan Community Church. She is also proud to serve on the development team of GraceInside, Virginia’s Prison Ministry.
Balancing roles within her blended family, she enjoys quilting, working out and making cheesecakes (thus the reason she works out!) and cheering on her beloved Pittsburgh sports teams in her free time.
Website: joanbowling.com
MODERATOR
Kristi Tuck Austin
Kristi Tuck Austin waded New York City sewers, ran from trains, and slid through a water pipe to the Harlem River while researching her novels. She’s celebrated Thanksgiving in the Paris catacombs, hiking, crawling, wading (again), and dining by candlelight. In her daily life, which is dry and above ground, she’s founder of Tuck Austin Associates, a literary and media services company that helps authors connect with readers. She’s a former board chair of James River Writers and JRW Conference chair. Website: kristituckaustin.com