Speakers Bureau Reopening: Call for Submissions

Since its launch in 2009, the CWA Speakers Bureau has provided CWA members avaluable opportunity to book events, build their individual platforms, and sell books, while simultaneously offering event programmers a trusted resource to guide their programming efforts.

The CWA will finalize and post its 2023 CWA Speakers Bureau Menu to the CWA website and distribute a hard copy of the menu to some 200 Chicago area libraries and venues at in early January.

For CWA members interested in joining, here are the details:

  • The CWA Speakers Bureau is open to current CWA members only.

  • One program listing costs $55. Two program listings cost $105. Three program listings, the maximum number allowed, cost $150. Pay online using PayPal:

    2023 Speakers Bureau Program Listing
    or by sending a check made payable to Chicago Writers Association, P.O. Box 6505, Evanston, IL 60204. Payment is due December 4.

  • Listings are active for one calendar year and will expire at the end of 2023.

  • You must submit your program profile/menu listing electronically in the text of an email (not as an attachment) to smithwriting@gmail.com by 11:59pm CST on DECEMBER 4. This is a firm deadline with no exceptions.

  • Right down to punctuation and capitalization, each menu listing should follow the Speakers Bureau’s standard format, which is:

“Title of the Program” by Presenter’s Name
Maximum 75-word program description. Note if the program includes handouts, booklets, Q&A, etc. (Intended audience; Length in minutes; Fee and any special requests, such as reimbursement for travel expenses or permission to sell books)
References: List up to two references – name and contact info. References should be of
the professional variety, not personal, and, ideally, should be able to comment on the
program being offered.
Website: If available, list your website or blog address (no social media)
Contact Info: Provide your phone number(s) and email
Presentation Format: In-Person and/or Virtual (Here, you are indicating if you are
available for in-person presentations only, virtual presentations only, or if you are willing
to do both.)


Here is a specific example to follow:

“Chicago Genealogy 101” by Grace DuMelle
Learn the challenges of searching for your Windy City relations from Grace DuMelle, author of Finding Your Chicago Ancestors and head of Heartland Historical Research. Discover lesser-known sources for family historians – fire insurance maps, probate cases,inquest records, and more – that can open a window into your ancestors’ world. Includes handouts, Q&A. (Adults; 60 min; $150 with permission to sell books)
References: John Smith, Evanston Public Library, (847) 555-1212, jsmith@library.com;
Mary Jones, Oak Lawn Public Library, (708) 555-1212, mary@library.org
Website: www.hhrs1872.com
Contact: hhrs1872@ameritech.net, (312) 842-8933
Presentation Format: In-Person and Virtual

For additional reference, the most recent CWA Speakers Bureau menu can be accessed here: https://www.chicagowrites.org/speakers_bureau.

Important notes:

  • All presentations are subject to CWA approval and listings will be edited as necessary to meet style, space, and tone requirements.

  • If an event programmer wishes to schedule a program, he/she will contact the member directly. It is each member’s responsibility to handle such queries in a professional manner. The CWA does not function as an intermediary or actively schedule programs for Speakers Bureau members.

  • There is no guarantee Speakers Bureau members will get booked for an event.

Please contact CWA Speakers Bureau director Daniel Smith at 708.717.6126 or smithwriting@gmail.com with any questions.