Upcoming Schedule
____________________________________________________________________________
2012:
* St. Mark’s School, Dallas, January 4-5
* Society of the Four Arts, Campus on the Lake Education Series, Palm Beach, Florida, Wed., Mar. 28, 2:30.
Past Appearances
An inspirational speaker, Dean frequently addresses corporate, academic, educational, and book club audiences around the country about his research adventures in Africa, Europe, and China; about his toils and triumphs in unravelling history’s mysteries; and about the joy of writing. Dean was the chief storyteller in the History Channel’s two-hour special documentary, based on his book. He has participated in many interviews and frequently appeared on national print, radio, and television media. You can contact him through this website.
“Your program got exceptionally outstanding reviews.” —Virginia Festival of the Book
"People really responded to how thoughtful, enthusiastic and engaging you were. For those who might not have read the book I suspect they will be inspired to do so now, and I’ve had a couple of people tell me as much. I particularly appreciated your thumbnail sketch of Wang Quanyuan’s bio, which I thought was quite moving and went a long way toward explaining why these women’s stories needed to be told." —Thomas Minnick, Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley, LLC
“Thank you for sharing your experiences in Africa and your experiences developing Skeletons on the Zahara with our students. They loved you! We had a long conversation yesterday about your presentation, and hands down, you were their favorite speaker—ever. For this I am very grateful.” —Mark Dozier, teacher, D. S. Freeman H. S. Center for Leadership, Government, and Global Studies
Speaking and Media Highlights
ABC “World News Tonight with Peter Jennings”
BBC Radio 4, “Front Row
National Public Radio, “Morning Edition”
National Public Radio, “Talk of the Nation" with Neil Conan
BN.com chat
“Fishin’ Zone Radio Show” with Stephen Sloan/200 stations
* Banff Mountain Book Festival 2010 lecturer
* 20th James Branch Cabell Lecture, Virginia Commonwealth University
* Richmond. Junior League of Richmond 55th and 65th Book and Author (CNBC)
* Beverly D. Clarke Author, the 35th Book and Author Event, Queens University, Charlotte, North Carolina.
* Christopher Newport University, Keynote Speaker
* California Literary Society/Northern Trust invited speaker, seven city tour
* Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, Master’s Class Instructor
* The Nelson Toast, Army and Navy Club, Washington, D.C.
Dean at Christopher Newport University. (Photo courtesy of Terry Cox-Joseph)
Past Speaking Engagements, by State
Alabama: Emmet O’Neal Library, Birmingham. California: California Literary Society invited speaker: Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla, Desert Communities, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara. San Francisco Maritime Museum, San Francisco Library, St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco; California Club Distinguished Speakers Series, Los Angeles; Huntington Library, Pasadena. Nevada: California Literary Society invited speaker:Las Vegas, Connecticut: Connecticut River Museum; Fairfield Library, Connecticut Historical Society; Trumbull Library; Mystic Seaport Museum. Georgia: Piedmont Driving Club, Atlanta. Illinois: University of Chicago Club, Chicago. Morning talk at Stateville Prison, Illinois. Luncheon at the Chicago Club. Evening lecture at the Adventurer’s Club of Chicago.
Dean with the Riley family at the Tennesssee Williams Literary Festival in New Orleans.
Virginia: Granta Panel, Fountain Bookstore, Richmond; The Richmond Academy of Medicine; The Woman’s Club, Richmond; The Tuckahoe Women’s Club; The Colonial Dames, Richmond; J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College “Around the World through Books Series”; James River Writer’s Conference (2003-2011), Christopher Newport University Writers’ Conference, keynote speaker, 115th Annual Meeting of the Virginia Bar Association Author Reception; University of Richmond Osher Institute lecturer, Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Sweet Briar Book Club; The Virginia Festival of the Book; Library of Virginia (broadcast on C-SPAN Book TV); Mariners’ Museum Lecture Series, Newport News; Mary Baldwin College (International Cafe), Stanton; Hanover Courthouse Book & Author Lunch; Diversity Book Club, Richmond; The Southern Women’s Showcase: Richmond Times-Dispatch Author Panel; Randolph Macon College; Rappahannock Community College Book & Author ; Richmond Rotary Club; River Road Presbyterian Church, Richmond; University of Richmond Book Club. Westminster Canterbury Forum, Richmond; Virginia Historical Society. Virginia Writer’s Club; Williamsburg Regional Library, Lit-Flick Series”; Chesapeake Writers Conference; Richmond Downtown Kiwanis Club. High schools: The Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, Richmond; D. S. Freeman High School Leadership Center, Henrico; St. Catherine's School, St. Christopher's School, The Collegiate School.
Washington, DC: Army and Navy Club; The Asia Society at Sidwell Friends School. West Virginia: Kanawha County Public Library and St. Albans Branch Library, Charleston.
Calgary, Canada: Banff Mountain Book Festival.
If you are interested in having Dean speak to a group
“One of the pleasures of writing books is connecting with people through the work. I really enjoy speaking and forming relationships with audiences in person. I accompany every talk with a short documentary film of my trek in the Western Sahara. This film incorporates the still photographs of Remi Benali, the National Geographic photographer who accompanied me. I feel that the film captures the excitement of my research expedition and brings the rugged terrain and the people of the Sahara to life.” —Dean
Saharan Outhouse on the Move.