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james watkins: speaker

I'm passionate about communicating to change lives as well as teaching others to do that through conferences and seminars across the US and overseas.

Here are some of my favorite topics and schedule.

However, I'm very dis-passionate about self-promotion, so let me have a few college leaders and conference directors describe my speaking ministry:

    Humorous and witty . . . edifies the Body and glorifies God in an entertaining way. Creator magazine

    Your keynote was a hit at the conference, Jim, and I appreciate your being there for us. Jerry B. Jenkins, Writing for the Soul conference

    Intensely practical . . . hilarious . . . one of the best. Keith Drury, Indiana Wesleyan University

    You were a smash hit in chapel. The students raved about you. Michael R. Smith, Taylor University

    I highly recommend Jim Watkins as a speaker, keynoter, instructor, or whatever. God used him in powerful ways at the Quad-Cities Christian Writers' Conference over the weekend. His keynote speech "I Have a Dream" was a big WOW! Humorous, brought people to tears, made an eternal impact on lives. (That guy can preach and teach and reach lives!) Twila Belk, Quad-City Christian Writers' Conference

    I would highly recommend Jim for your writing event. He is personable with one-on-one appointments, and when speaking to crowds he has the perfect balance of humor, information, inspiration, spiritual emphasis, and life application. Kathy Carlton Willis, publicist. (And he's not even one of my clients!)

    Informed, approachable and humorous. Gayle Roper, former director of Sandy Cove Writers Conference

    When the keynote speaker was unable to attend, Jim came to bat and knocked it out of the park. Billie Wilson, Florida Christian Writers Conference

    Jim has the gift of teaching and encouragement. Marlene Bagnull, director of Colorado and Greater Philadelphia writers conferences

    One in a million—two in a million would be overkill!" Calvin Miller, author/speaker

Limiting my speaking to strategic events

In 2007, I spoke at 19 conferences, camps, churches, colleges, and convenience-store grand-openings. (Okay, no 7-Elevens, but just about every other venue.) I really need to be more selective and strategic in where and on what I speak. There are hundreds of speakers who address those venues, so I am limiting my speaking now to:

1. Ministry and writers conferences where I can train people to communicate to change lives. (If I encourage or educate a general audience of 100 people, I've encouraged or educated 100 people. But, if I encourage or educate 100 writers, speakers, teachers or ministers, hopefully, I've exponentially increased the number of people reached as they pass along that encouragement or education.)

2. Venues with at least 100 in attendance.

3. Events where I can share a keynote address and/or teach a continuing session on communicating to change lives

Limiting my speaking to passionate topics

In the past, I've spoken on everything from sex to sects. I'm now limiting my speaking to the following topics. (Topics marked with • are available on CD from American Christian Writers for $6.00 each. Call 1-800-WRITE to order.)

Communicate to Change Lives (Continuing Session) A one-day or four- to six-part series for Christian educators, executives, ministers, church staff and parachurch staff who want to change lives through writing and speaking. Click here for outline and for information on how you can sponsor a seminar for your church or community.

Confessions of an Author and Speaker (Keynote talk, 30-40 minutes) Includes practical ways to connect with an audience in print, pixels, or person

• Crossing-over with the Cross (Keynote or Seminar, 60 minutes) Practical ways to take the message of the cross into the crossroads of the world?including cyber space (60-75 minutes). Click here for article based on talk.

• "I'm a Giant Killer!" (Keynote, 30-45 minutes) A motivational talk that combines humor and practical suggestions for battling the giants that confront would-be authors (30-45 min.). Click here to hear it.

• I Have a Dream! (Keynote, 30-45 minutes) An inspirational talk using the story of Joseph as an example of a dream received, the dreamer refined, the dream redefined, and finally, the dream realized in relationship to writing. Click here to hear it.

• The Ministry of Writing (Seminar, 60 minutes) Includes twenty-five-rejection-proof markets that truly do minister to needs. Click here for article based on talk.

Taking the Word to the World Wide Web (Three 60-minute seminars, or three stand-alone sessions) Includes practical tips for researching and writing online, as well as setting up one's own Web site. The writing online session can be taught without Internet access, but other two session require Internet access with video projection.)

Writing with Banana Peels (Seminar, 60-90 minutes or three-part series) Based on my latest book, the seminar provides practical strategies for communicating more effectively with humor. If nothing else, you'll laugh a lot.

Schedule

2010

January 29-30, 2010
Quaker Men's "Ground Hog Day" Retreat
Syracuse, IN

February 18-21, 2010
Writing for the Soul Conference
Denver, CO

March 8, 2010
Grace College
Warsaw, IN

March 16, 2010
Book reading/signing at Public Library
Upland, IN

March 19-20, 2010
American Christian Writers
Oklahoma City, OK

March 26-30, 2010
Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference
Mount Hermon, CA

April 9-10, 2010 (tentative)
American Christian Writers Mentoring Weekend
Nashville, IN

April 17, 2010
American Christian Writers
Fort Wayne, IN

April 24, 2010
Minnesota Christian Writers' Guild
Minneapolis, MN

May 12-15, 2010
Colorado Christian Writers' conference
Estes Park, CO

May 16-20, 2010
Blue Ridge Christian Writers' Conference
Asheville, NC

June 2, 9, 16, 30, 2010
Chapel Pike Wesleyan Church: Squeezing Good Out of Bad series
Marion, IN

June 22-26, 2010
St. David's Christian Writers' Conference
Grove City, PA

August 11-14, 2010
Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers' Conference
Langhorne, PA

August 18, 22
Chapel Pike Wesleyan Church: Children's carnival featuring "The Platypus Players"
Marion, IN

September 11, 2010
American Christian Writers
Louisville, KY

September 24-25, 2010
American Christian Writers
Spokane, WA

September 28-October 1, 2010
Maranatha Christian Writers' Conference
Muskegon, MI

December 3, 2010
Indiana South District Pastors' Christmas Dinner
Orleans, IN

2011

April 30, 2011
American Christian Writers
Greensboro, NC

June 11, 2011
American Christian Writers
Columbus, OH

June 24-25, 2011
American Christian Writers
Grand Rapids, MI

August 6, 2011
American Christian Writers
Springfield, MO

Hope to see you at one of these conferences!


DIRECTOR JAMES WATKINS

welcome

Thanks for stopping by XarisCom. I'm Jim Watkins, and I trust you find helpful writing and ministry resources, as well as an abundent supply of hope and humor.