Speaking
Sarah can speak at your school, university, conference, organization, or community group about making a career in the arts, managing your money as an artist, or navigating your college education in this “brave, new world” — because it’s a different educational landscape and job market for Gen Z than it was for their Gen X and Millennial parents.
Her presentations combine personal narrative with research and her decades of experience working in the fields of education and writing (both fiction and nonfiction) to offer concrete strategies for making a life and a living in the creative arts (writing, visual art, music, performing, and so on).
She’s especially keen on talking with teens and young adults and helping them build creative careers doing the work they love.
Sarah is available for teaching workshops, giving keynote speeches, or participating in storytelling events and panel discussions.
What audience members have said . . .
Sarah presents information in a way that is clear and not magical, but sensible. She gives information that is very easy to understand and also to follow through on. Sarah is non-judgmental, and she makes it safe to explore and to find your way home.
I had two ‘ah-ha’ moments with Sarah in a recent class I had with her. She asked us to close our eyes & then asked us two simple questions. One of the answers I came up with freed me from what I thought was my belief about myself. Which, of course, it wasn’t. The other answer was that as a child I had taken on my parents fears and insecurities (about money) as mine also, which, again, they weren’t. I came away from the class feeling much lighter and in a much better frame of mind then when I went in. Thank you, Sarah!
FAQs
What might a presentation cover?
Sarah’s known all her life what she wanted to do “when she grew up” — write stories. Although she had some early success in her teens, fear derailed her from pursuing her dream for decades. Now, in her mid-forties, Sarah is once again writing professionally. But she regrets all that missed time she could have spent pursuing her writing.
As a former creative kid who knows what it’s like to get off track — with your education or your career — Sarah’s been where many young creators are today. She’s also the mom of a young creative kid (he’s currently 8), with whom she co-wrote a series of picture books. So she gets it from the parenting angle too.
In pursuit of her own creative writing, Sarah has discovered a ton of practical strategies for pursuing a creative career, coping with fear, and managing money as an artist — she even used to be a money coach! Additionally, she’s covered personal finance as a journalist for over 5 years.
Plus, Sarah is an English professor and the director of a university writing center. Not only does she have her own extensive experience with higher ed, but she works with college students every day.
Sarah has been in the trenches when it comes to education, making a career in the arts, managing money as an artist, coping with fear and discovering creative courage, and being and parenting a creative kid. So she’s happy to speak on any of these topics!
Who can benefit from one of Sarah's presentations?
Sarah has a special interest in helping young creators, from elementary to college students. But she can speak to anyone of any age pursuing a creative career or passion. After all, she didn’t start actively pursuing her own writing career until she was in her forties! Thus, she knows firsthand what it’s like to have a creative dream from early on and what it’s like to start a creative career in midlife.
Great! When can she talk?
You can contact Sarah via this website’s contact page or email sarah@sarahgravesphd.com to ask about booking her for your event.