"What a beautiful speech! [Staying Motivated in the Midst of Change] You made us laugh and you made us think. Come back next year!" Marilyn Jack-Brown President,
NJ Association of Library Assistants
Jane's Keynote Speeches Read the summary and contact Jane to schedule a keynote speech for your group
NEWSLETTER TIPS: Five Tips to Help You Write, Edit & Design Newsletters that Get Read
Jane structures all talks to fit your audience. She allows plenty of time for Q&A and most talks can include an optional PowerPoint presentation — she can even provide the equipment if you don't have it — all you need to provide is the wall or screen!
She looks forward to hearing from you.
THE ANATOMY OF THE TRADITIONAL MYSTERY
Join Jane as she discusses the nature of the traditional mystery. The term “traditional” is code in the world of mysteries. It informs and reassures readers about what to expect of this sub-genre—it implies certain qualities relating to the structure, characters, pacing, plot, and resolution. Jane discusses the components of a “traditional” mystery including the conventions, the use of red herrings, and techniques to convey suspense. .
STAYING MOTIVATED AMIDST CHANGE
Even as your budgets shrink and your staff is reduced, you're expected to do more with less--and stay motivated in the process. In a funny, thought-provoking keynote speech, Jane suggests ways to harness creativity and improve productivity even through the uncertainty and stress of changing times.
WOMEN OF MYSTERY, ANTIQUES & LOVE—What Else Does a Woman Need?
A three-for-one keynote speech
Hank Phillipi Ryan, an Emmy award Boston-based reporter (for the NBC affiliate), speaks on love and broadcast journalism not mixing... romance can kill ya!
Rosemary Harris, a Master Gardener, speaks on murder and mayhem in the garden
AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL BOOK PROMOTION:
Creating an Effective Marketing Plan
Jane puts her MBA to work! She uses tested and proven marketing strategies to develop a reader focused marketing plan. Join Jane as she compares and contrasts promotional options including:
Book tours
Blog tours
Sneak Previews
Friends and family letter
Library events
Co-branded alliances (i.e., Sotheby’s Institute of Art)
Bookmarks
Post cards
Newsletters
Website, blog site(s), videos and podcasts of interviews
Specialty promotional items (Jane’s Martini glasses!)
Flyers
Conferences
Magazine, newspaper, and on-line advertising (i.e., Author’s Buzz, Bookbitch, et al)
Online interviews and reviews
Magazine editorial (i.e., Mystery Scene)
Participating in on-line chats (i.e., Dorothy L)
Becoming involved in the mystery community (i.e., MWA)
Media (i.e., Stamford, CT newspaper article)
Book Trailers
FINDING STOLEN ART: A Detective Takes on the Nazis
This speech picks up on a theme of art stolen by the Nazis in the first Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery, Consigned to Death, and traces one woman's effort to recover her family's art. It’s a real David vs. Goliath tale: inspirational, motivational, and fun! It can be accompanied by a Power Point presentation (or not).
KILLER ANTIQUES: A Detective's Knowledge of Antiques Helps Solve Crimes
An old map. A mahogany table. A scrimshaw tooth. James McNeil Whistler’s pallet. Rare? Maybe. Fakes? Perhaps. Real? It’s possible. If these objects are genuine... how much are they worth?
With the money, status, and beauty associated with these objects, it’s no wonder crimes occur. In the Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series, antiques might be:
§ Stolen—Have you ever wondered who’s buying art and antiques that can’t be
displayed?
§ Faked—Artisans create and duplicate counterfeit objects that can (almost) fool
antiques experts and scientists alike.
§ Lied about—Faking association is easy. The trick is verifying provenance—much
easier said than done.
This highly-interactive, fun presentation challenges attendees to answer the questions “What information do you need to appraise it?” and “What else do want to know?” In the process the nuances of the antiques appraisal process are explained and discussed. This speech can also be accompanied by a Power Point presentation (or not).
UNDER THE WRITER’S VEIL: Mysteries Revealed and Unsolved
This speech describes my writing process from start to finish. Using 20-20 hindsight, I discuss where ideas come from, how ideas evolve into plots, how I produce a manuscript that sells, and the editorial process.
Join Jane as she discusses the nature of the traditional mystery. The term “traditional” is code in the world of mysteries. It informs and reassures readers about what to expect of this sub-genre—it implies certain qualities relating to the structure, characters, pacing, plot, and resolution. Jane discusses the components of a “traditional” mystery including the conventions, the use of red herrings, and techniques to convey suspense. . 
(Listen to the presentation at