2026 Keynotes & Talks
Presence + Pitch + Platform: Developing Your Personalized Path to A Writing Career masterclass, Sunday, February 15, 2:00pm to 5:00pm, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
Memoirs that Sell: A 2026 Market Overview, panelist/moderator, Sunday, February 15, 10:30am to 11:30am, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
Write Courageously About Controversial Topics, moderator, Sunday, February 15, 9:15am to 10:15pm, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
Ask a Pro: Platform & Publicity, Sunday, February 15, 8:00am to 9:00am,San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
Be Your Own Publicist, moderator/panelist, Saturday, February 14, 4:15pm to 5:15pm, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
How Authors Reach New Readers, Engage Existing Readers, and Mobilize Superfans, panelist, Saturday, February 14, 3:00pm to 4:00pm, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
Succeed as a Speaker: Insider Tips the Pros Know, workshop, February 14, 10:15am to 11:15pm, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
Ask A Pro: Platform & Publicity, February 14, 8:00am to 9:00am, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
Promoting Your Cause Online and Off, panelist, February 13, 2:30pm to 3:30pm, Writing for Change Summit, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, San Francisco, in person.
2025 Keynotes & Talks
Overcoming Ageism in the Writing World, presentation, Tuesday, October 21, 12:00pm, Write Anyway Summit, online.
Dating Profile Essentials, interview, Thursday, February 13, ABC10 TV, Sacramento, in person.
Developing Your High Concept Essay to Promote Your Book and Build Your Career, masterclass, Sunday, February 9, 2:00pm to 5:00pm, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
Teen Writing Summit, mentor, Sunday, February 9, 11:45am to 12:45pm, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
Memoir in the Marketplace: 2025 Overview, panelist, Sunday, February 9, 10:30am to 11:30am, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
Ask a Pro: Platform & Publicity, Sunday, February 9, 8:00am to 9:00am, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
You Must Have a Platform, Here’s How to Build One, workshop, Saturday, February 8, 11:30am to 12:30 am, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
Ask a Pro: Platform & Publicity, Saturday, February 8, 8:00am to 9:00am, San Francisco Writers Conference, in person.
Why You? Why Now?: Answering the Essential Question from First Draft to Final Copy, panelist, Friday, February 7, 11:45am to 12:45pm, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
Turn Your Nonfiction Essays into a Book: Find Your Style & Leverage It, panelist, Friday, February 7, 10:30 to 11:30am, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
How to Write A Book Proposal: What Agents & Editors Really Want to See, panelist, Friday, February 7, 9:15am to 10:15am, San Francisco Writers Conference, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, in person.
2024 Keynotes & Talks
Break Your Pattern: If You’re Not Changing It, You’re Choosing It event for women, Wednesday, November 13, 10:00am to 11:30am, online.
AMA (Ask Me Anything) with Joey Garcia, Wednesday, October 16, 10:00am to noon, Gold Country Writers, Auburn, CA, in person.
Crafting the Perfect Author Bio(s), Hippocampus Minis: Publishing and Promotion mini-conference, Sunday, August 11, 11:00am to 12:30, online.
The Five Bios Every Author Needs, Tuesday, May 21, 6:30 – 7:30pm, Central Coast Writers, Center for Spiritual Awakening, 522 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA, in person.
Tips for Creating Accessible, Inclusive Content & Reducing Bias in Your Writing, co-presented with Donna Talarico from Hippocampus Magazine & Books, Nonfiction Writers Conference, Thursday, May 9, 9:00am to 10:00am, online.
Writing about Sex & Love workshop, Sonoma Community Writers Festival, in person, Thursday, April 4, 4:00pm to 5:10pm, in person, Sonoma State University, CA. free.
Applying for Conferences & Residencies panel, Sonoma Community Writers Festival, in person, Thursday, April 4, 5:20pm to 6:30pm, in person, Sonoma State University, CA. free.
Prophet/Profit: On Being a Writer in the 21st Century, Sonoma Community Writers Festival, Thursday, April 4, 6:40pm to 7:50pm, Sonoma State University Ives Hall 35, CA., in person, free.
Get Known While Writing Your Novel, Memoir, or Nonfiction Book, San Francisco Writers Conference Master Class, Sunday, February 18, 2pm to 5pm, Hyatt Regency Waterfront, San Francisco, CA, in person. $129 includes workbook. You don’t have to be registered for SFWC to take a masterclass.
PR for Authors Begins Before You Query, Joey presents with literary agent and publicist Natalie Obando, Saturday, February 17, 10:15 – 11:15am, San Francisco Writers Conference, in person.
Six Savvy Ways to Build a Profitable Business Around Your Book, Saturday, February 17, 3:00pm – 4:00pm, San Francisco Writers Conference, in person.
DIY National Book Tours and Speaking Engagements, Joey presents with author Leslie Kirk Campbell , Saturday, February 17, 11:30 – 12:30pm, San Francisco Writers Conference, in person.
Live Query Edit! Joey presents with literary agent Alyssa Maltese, Sunday, February 18, 9:00 – 10:00am, San Francisco Writers Conference, in person.
2023 Keynotes & Talks
The Five Bios Every Author Needs, California Writers Club Peninsula, November 18, in person.
Craft a Compelling Author Bio, Write Anyway Summit, October 16 – 19, online, free.
Write Sizzling Back Cover Copy, Elk Grove Writers Conference, September 23, in person.
Build Your Author Platform While Writing Your Book, Willamette Writers Conference, August 5, in person.
Pitch the Media like a Pro, Willamette Writers Conference, August 5, online.
The Five Bios Every Author Needs, June 10, California Writers Club Mt. Diablo, in person.
Writing Articles for Promotion & Profit, Nonfiction Writers Conference May 12, online.
All Writing is Rewriting. You’ve Got a Great Draft. Now What?, Publisher’s Weekly Booklife Indie Author Forum, February 25, online.
The Art of Crafting Memorable Soundbites that Sell Books & Create Opportunities, masterclass, San Francisco Writers Conference, February 19, San Francisco
The Five Bios Every Author Needs, San Francisco Writers Conference, February 16 – 19, San Francisco
Pitch the Media like a Pro, San Francisco Writers Conference, February 16 – 19, San Francisco
The Secret to Improving Your Email Open Rate & Growing Your List, San Francisco Writers Conference, February 16 – 19, San Francisco
Write, Pitch & Publish a High-Concept Essay, San Francisco Writers Conference, February 16 – 19, San Francisco
2022 Keynotes & Talks
Write in Belize: A Soul-Centered Retreat, December 2 – 7, Jaguar Reef Lodge, Hopkins, Belize
Build An Author Platform That Attracts the Media & Sells Books: Practical Strategies From a Media Insider,
Master Class, San Francisco Writers Conference, July 21 – 24, San Francisco
How to Write Irresistible Back Cover Copy, San Francisco Writers Conference, July 21 – 24, San Francisco
How to Find and Work with a Book Coach, San Francisco Writers Conference, July 21 – 24, San Francisco
Authors Spill the Tea: The Truth about Platform, Publicity and Book Sales, San Francisco Writers Conference, July 21 – 24, San Francisco
Discover What’s Newsworthy about Your Book!, San Francisco Writers Conference, July 21 – 24, San Francisco
Build an Author Platform that Brings Agents, Readers & the Media to You, More to the Story, June 18 & 25, online private course
Book Promotion Simplified: Five Easy Ways to Attract More Readers, Media & Opportunities, July 30, Elk Grove Writers Guild Summer Academy
Build an Author Platform that Sells Books (even if the word “platform” scares you), California Writers Club, February 12, Pleasant Hill, Calif.