Speeches & Workshops

Looking for a great speaker who can energize a crowd?
Dena has over ten years experience presenting to writers, women's groups, businesses, churches and synagogues, non-profits, and schools. She is available to speak on a variety of topics including job search strategies, networking, writing, and publishing. She offers full and half-day workshops in addition to motivational and keynote speeches. Call Dena for your next speaking event!

Scared Speechless: Public Speaking Made Easy
Are the right words sometimes just not there? Do you find yourself blushing, tongue-tied and sweating when speaking in front of groups? Do you yearn to converse with casual ease in front of any size audience, no matter what the stomach butterflies are doing? Based on principles found in Dena’s new book, The Perfect Speaker (Doesn’t Exist) – 161 Tips And Ideas To Help Devise, Dispense, And Deliver A Perfectly Adequate Speech, this workshop is for those seeking to boost self-confidence and find their path to becoming their own unique—and perfectly adequate—speaker.

Public Speaking for Writers
Hey you writers, come out from behind those laptops! You already know what I’m going to say. It’s not enough these days to just be a writer--you’ve got to have a platform which means you need to publicize your work, get your name out there and (stay with me here) occasionally speak in front of groups. Can you do it? Humorist and freelance writer Dena Harris will show you how. The workshop is for both established and upcoming writers and will provide tips and techniques on how to appear confident when speaking or reading in public.

Establishing Yourself As A Professional Speaker
Shhh...don't tell. Being a professional speaker isn't always about being the best speaker out there. Rather, your ability to start or grow your public speaking career depends on your ability to promote and market yourself effectively. Learn the 9 tips that will start you on the path to speaking for promotion and profit, whether as a new career, side interest, or a means of increasing your visibility within your current job.

Networking for Job Seekers
This workshop is offered through the Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro as part of the New Choices job-search program for displaced homemakers. You must apply and register for the series in advance. Call 336-275-6090.

Get Published! Writing For Magazines
With over 2000 magazines published in the United States (not counting Internet e-zines) on just about any topic you can think of, chances are good you'll be able to find one interested in publishing your work. But where in the world do you start? Designed for beginning writers interested in learning how to submit essays, articles, and short stories to magazines, this workshop will introduce you to the wide, wonderful world of magazine submission. Learn how to construct a query letter, how to come up with ideas for articles, how to sell your work, how to set a writing schedule, the importance of titles, the right way to read a magazine, tools of the trade you'll need to get started, and (whew) much more! You'll also learn the language and secrets to being a magazine writer in this fun and interactive workshop.

Conquering Writer's Block
Think of this course as basic training for would-be writers (don't worry, no push-ups or five mile runs). The best way to get started writing is to write, right? That's easy to say, but most would-be writers find the hardest thing to do is to set aside time to write. So now, here's your chance. This highly interactive workshop is chock full of fun writing exercises designed to get those creative juices flowing. Once you get into the swing of things you'll learn how to keep the momentum going with a daily writing regimen, how to form writing critique groups and then, maybe, how to get your work published. You know you've got it in you so now it's time to put it down on paper.

The Road to Publication
Joint Workshop with author Pamela King Cable
Today’s world offers would-be authors more opportunities for publication than any prior time in history. From big-time publishers like Random House to small presses; E-books to print-on-demand; University presses to starting your own publications—the opportunities are there. Which is right for you? Learn from two established writers the pros and con’s of the options laid before you so you can make the RIGHT decision for your book.

Publicity, Public Speaking, & Pulling Your Hair Out
Joint Workshop with author Pamela King Cable
Writers tremble at the thought of hiring a publicist, handling self-promotion, and/or speaking in public. Many turn down opportunities--appearances that could increase their visibility and bolster their careers--simply because they’re confused. They’ve read the how-to books, wasted hours on the Internet, and spent money on dozens of conferences, but putting their own publicity machine into motion paralyzes them into inaction.Publicity, Public Speaking, & Pulling Your Hair Out confronts the fears and career-stalling procrastination writers harbor toward the hardest part of writing a book...the marketing that comes after it.

Marry Well… & Other Secrets of Successful Freelancing
Ever dreamed of making your living as a writer? In this entertaining and informative talk, veteran global freelance writer Dena Harris shares an amusing behind-the-scenes glimpse of the life of an at-home writer. Learn the challenges and opportunities that await you as Dena leads you through a world of deadlines, editors, marketing promotions and rejection letters. Not for the faint of heart.

Custom workshops available on request. Contact Dena for scheduling and pricing information.