Testimonials

"Amy, you are a class act!! My phone is ringing off the hook with praise for the evening. I can't wait for your next book!"

 

--Carmel Public Library Foundation

 

"Nice job on bringing Amy Stewart! There are so few "rock stars" in horticulture...Amy was an outstanding speaker--smart, funny, and oh, so engaging. Best Bonfils lecture EVER! I would love to hear her speak again... One of the best lectures I've ever attended. I'm already using the information."

 

--Denver Botanic Gardens audience members

 

"Amy was the most fantastic, entertaining and interesting speaker we have ever had. We are still getting such rave reviews!"

 

--Lafayette Garden Club

 

"In a word, it was great! It was a true joy to have you here and to meet you. The lecture was a hit, and the signing was a big success."

 

--Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower

 

"Fantastic! Delightful! Fascinating historic info. Amy is a great speaker and threw a lot of humor into her topic....Excellent, humorous, informed and informative, and eloquent."

 

--UC Master Gardeners of Orange County Annual Symposium

 

"People are still raving about your talk here in May. You certainly took Little Rhody by storm."

 

--Rhode Island Master Gardeners

 

"That was the best lecture I've ever attended--not just here, but anywhere!"

 

--Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA

 

"You are the best speaker I have ever heard here!"

 

--members of Santa Barbara Garden Club

 

"Thanks so much for including the Arnold Arboretum in your speaking circuit. You gave a terrific lecture on Flower Confidential, communicating the subject with energy, clarity, and humor."

--Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, Boston, MA

"I can see why our committee was so eager to get you here! Thank you for the great event. We got so many positive comments! People would like to repeat it when you publish your next book!!!!"

 

--Amador County Master Gardeners

 

"Amy Stewart's recent appearance at Books & Books, in support of her newly released Flower Confidential, is still being talked about today. Her large audience made up of many prominent members of Miami's flower industry was charmed by the disarming way she told the story of how flowers are brought to market. She's funny, interesting, smart and not afraid to tackle any question head on; her audience ate it up. I can't remember an event at the store when almost everyone who came bought a book. Every author should be that effective a speaker!"

--Mitchell Kaplan, Books & Books, Miami, FL

"Thank you for taking time out of your busy book tour to come to our library to do your excellent presentation on your book. You brought the audience with you on your journey to learn about the flower business from its beginning to the current stage. The people who came to the program all enjoyed your talk. It was a pleasure meeting you and hearing you talk about something you seem to be very passionate about. "

--Los Angeles Public Library

"Wow! She is amazing...Provided great insights about writing; loved her presentation...Great presenter!"

--Redwood Writing Project retreat

"Amazing.... She spoke on an outsider's view of the floral industry and how complicated it really is. Stewart spent much of her time focusing on the sustainability of the industry and the need for more organic products in the floral industry... It was interesting to me to see [Stewart] offering recommendations on how to drastically change an industry. It was definitely an interesting talk to see."

"We enjoyed your presentation and have been talking about some of the things you mentioned now that we're back in the office."

"I loved your talk at TPIE...I read your book over the summer cover to cover and loved it."

 

--Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition conference

Amy is a founding member of Great Garden Speakers, a website devoted to making it easier to find and recommend speakers for garden clubs, botanical gardens, flower shows, conferences, and other events featuring speakers on gardening, horticulture, nature, and design. If you have heard Amy speak, please visit her page on Great Garden Speakers and post a review!

Speaking Engagements

Stewart is a highly sought-after public speaker whose spirited lectures have inspired and entertained audiences at college campuses such as Cornell and the University of Minnesota, corporate offices, including Google's Mountainview campus, conferences and garden shows, as well as botanical gardens, museums, bookstores, and garden clubs nationwide. Go here for a schedule of upcoming events. Scroll to the bottom of this page to see a list of recent speaking engagements.

Following is a list of popular program topics, and Amy can also tailor a program to meet your group's needs. Need more information to take to your committee? Click here to download a one-page summary of topics.

You can also watch videos of Amy Stewart discussing her books here.

To book Amy as a speaker, send an email to .

And if we can't get together in person? There's another option that is easy and affordable! Go here to find out about arranging a 'virtual' meeting using webcam, videoconference, or telephone.

A special note about events for children: All of Amy Stewart's books, and her lectures and events, are aimed at an adult audience. While preteens and teenagers have certainly attended and enjoyed her lectures, they are not geared for a youth audience and small children in particular might simply be uninterested.

Wicked Bugs--Fearsome and Ferocious Creatures in Your Backyard and Beyond

Join Amy Stewart for a darkly comical look at the sinister side of our relationship with the insect world. In this talk based on her latest New York Times bestseller, you'll meet creatures that infest, infect, and generally wreak havoc on human affairs. From the world's most painful hornet, to the flies that transmit deadly diseases, to millipedes that stop traffic, to the "bookworms" that devour libraries, to the Japanese beetles munching on your roses, Wicked Bugs delves into the extraordinary power of six and eight-legged creatures. It's a mixture of history, science, murder, and intrigue that begins--but doesn't end--in your own backyard.

This 45-minute talk is accompanied by dazzling photographs, historical images, copper engravings, and other visuals as illustrations. In addition, Amy may bring actual specimens with her-- but don't worry--they don't bite!

Also: The Wicked Bugs Traveling Exhibit! Go here to find out about booking the exhibit at botanical gardens, science museums, zoos, libraries, and other venues.

Wicked Plants-The Deliciously Dark Side of the Plant Kingdom

In her New York Times bestseller Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities (Algonquin Books, May 2009), Amy Stewart takes on Mother Nature's most appalling creations. It's an A to Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend. Drawing on history, medicine, science, and legend, Stewart presents tales of bloodcurdling botany that will entertain, alarm, and enlighten even the most intrepid gardeners and nature lovers.

Find out which plant killed Abraham Lincoln's mother, which shrub ignited a global war, and what plant has killed 90 million people. From strychnine to castor bean, from poison sumac to monkshood, from carnivorous plants to weeds that spontaneously combust, Stewart introduces an unforgettable cast of characters and tells their tales with her own wicked sense of humor.

This 45-minute talk is accompanied by dazzling photographs, historical images, copper engravings, and other visuals as illustrations. In addition, Amy will bring seeds and plant samples with her when possible so that the audience can meet some of these botanical villains in person.

Flower Confidential--Behind the Scenes and Around the World in the Global Flower Market

A one-hour discussion and slide show with handouts (Depending on the setting, Amy can also "deconstruct" a bouquet for the audience.)

Amy Stewart traveled around the world to learn more about the extraordinary business of flowers. At laboratories, greenhouses, airports, warehouses, and flower shops, she discovered a remarkable intersection of nature and technology, of sentiment and commerce. She told the story in her bestselling book, Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers.

What has been gained, and what has been lost, in the quest for the perfect flower? Does it matter if roses have lost their scent? How do we respond to a lily that has been bred for the convenience of the grower, not the desires of the customer? Are we better off with 209 varieties of daisies to choose from? In a global marketplace, is there such a thing as a socially responsible flower?

Join Stewart for an exploration of the individuals, the corporations, and the technology dedicated to the pursuit of the perfect flower. You'll never look at a rose the same way again.

The Earth Moved--The Surprising Secret Lives of Earthworms

A one-hour discussion, with handouts and slide show

Join Amy Stewart, author of The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms, for an entertaining and in-depth exploration of that tireless ploughman, the earthworm. She'll discuss new book and demonstrate the fine qualities of the inveterate invertebrates that have captured her affections. But earthworms are just one part of soil ecology: Stewart will also bring incredibly detailed photographs, taken with a high-power microscope, of other soil-dwelling microbes that form complex and important relationships with earthworms. She'll explain these interactions and their impact for gardeners and conservationists alike.

You'll get a chance to learn about some of the thousands of species of earthworms that have been identified around the world, including the giant worms of the Pacific Northwest. She'll bring several species of earthworms with her and explain each species' unique role in the soil. Stewart will trace the ancient history of earthworms, describe their travels around the globe, and share some of the many secrets of earthworms' lives that Charles Darwin uncovered. She'll also share photographs and anecdotes about some of the most remarkable worms ever discovered, including a giant Australian worm and an indigo blue worm from the Philippines.

Special Topics for Special Audiences Writing Workshops A Natural Murder: Using Poisonous Plants and Venomous Bugs To Create the Perfect Crime A one-hour workshop with slides. Designed as a workshop for mystery writers, but garden clubs and botanical gardens are also encouraged to partner with local mystery writers' groups, mystery bookstores, or mystery book clubs to host a joint event. Murder mysteries might be called “whodunnits,” but the “how” is every bit as important as the “who.” Mystery writers are always in search of a new way to kill off a character. Is there a poisonous seed that can be baked into a cupcake? A bitter herb that could be slipped into a cocktail? What about a stinging caterpillar with no known antivenin, or a beetle that provides the perfect alibi? The natural world is full of poisons, misleading clues, and dastardly characters. Based on her sold-out workshop for mystery writers at the Tucson Festival of Books, Amy Stewart has assembled a treasure trove of dreadful poisons and venomous stings from her books Wicked Plants and Wicked Bugs. She'll also share true crime stories from the natural world—from a serial killer who used the seeds of a tropical tree on his victims, to the world's most inept murderess, to a new twist on the ever-popular vampire story. It's an unforgettable and wickedly hilarious talk that will appeal to mystery writers and their fans!   Garden and Nature Writing, Creative Nonfiction Amy also teaches half-day workshops on writing creative nonfiction and on garden and nature writing. Contact her for more information.   Garden Blogging 101 A 30-60 minute workshop with slides and handouts Amy Stewart is one of four co-founders of GardenRant, the wildly popular garden blog that has won rave reviews from the New York Times, the Washington Post, InStyle, and Horticulture magazine. She's also been blogging on her own blog, Dirt by Amy Stewart, since 2003 about such diverse topics as earthworms, backyard chickens, and the cut flower industry. Join Amy Stewart for an entertaining and practical exploration of the world of garden blogging. She makes sense of the technology and makes a compelling case for using a blog to share your own garden, or your unique horticultural perspective, with the world. This talk is perfect for backyard gardeners, educators, and people in the horticultural industry, and includes a quick overview of how to incorporate Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube into blogging. The Global Garden: Connecting the World of Horticulture Note to program chairs: This talk was developed for groups that requested a talk for scientists or students interested in communicating science topics to a general audience; or for creative nonfiction students.   Bestselling author Amy Stewart was a beginning gardener in Santa Cruz when she wrote the gardening memoir From the Ground Up: The Story of a First Garden. In the last decade her curiosity about the natural world has taken her to earthworm scientists in the Midwest, flower growers in Ecuador, plant breeders in Holland, and poison gardens in England. Now the award-winning author of five books, Stewart shares unique stories about science, natural history, and horticulture in a way that engages audiences in subjects they never thought they'd be interested in. Find out how she does it in this engaging talk about the art of nonfiction. Seminars for the Horticultural Industry and Retailers As a regular contributor to Garden Chic magazine, Amy Stewart speaks regularly to the horticultural industry. A sampling of topics are below. TECHNOLOGY: Social Media and Public Relations As an early adopter of blogging and social networking, Amy teaches workshops for horticulture industry professionals on how to use digital tools like Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, Twitter, and blogs to connect with customers. She's also taught public relations strategies to horticulture business owners, focusing on finding the story aimed at getting the media interested, and winning a new generation of interested, engaged customers. GREEN TRENDS: How to Sell Native, Wildlife and Habitat Gardening A 60 minute discussion with slide show for horticulture industry professionals As gardeners embrace green practices, they realize that their backyard is an ecosystem that not only supports their own lifestyle, but provides a haven for birds, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife that have been displaced by development. Birdwatchers, school children studying natural science, and anyone who wants to get closer to nature can-and should-turn to their local, independent garden center and horticultural professionals for wildlife gardening resources. Take home new strategies for promoting native plants and wildlife-friendly gardening practices, all inspired by the National Wildlife Federation's innovative Backyard Habitat program. GREEN TRENDS: Kitchen Gardening A 60 minute discussion with slide show for horticulture industry professionals The slow food movement has encouraged foodies to support local farmers and eat seasonally. Many locavores are making the transition from gourmet to gardener, getting out into the garden for the first time to grow some of the local, seasonal produce they crave. Families on a tight budget are also getting into growing their own food as a way to stretch their grocery budget, spend more time at home with the family, and get some free exercise. Organic and eco-friendly methods are more important to kitchen gardeners than any other group. Get some ideas for how to turn your garden center into an eco-friendly one-stop-shop for culinary gardeners. We'll cover organic fertilizers, pest and disease controls, and weed controls, with some fresh ideas for connecting the green movement and the local food movement at your garden center. GREEN TRENDS: The Eco-Friendly Garden Business A 60 minute discussion for horticulture industry professionals You're reaching environmentally-minded customers with native plants, organic fertilizers, and other eco-friendly products. But what about your own business practices? Discover dozens of strategies to go green at your own business and inspire your customers. Everything from eco-certification programs to recycling projects to energy reduction will be covered in this idea-packed seminar.   Amy's recent speaking engagements have included: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, UK Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, Surrey, UK The Eden Project, Cornwall, UK Chelsea Physic Garden, London, UK American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY United States Botanic Garden, Washington, DC Google Author Series, Mountainview, CA Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, CA Independent Garden Center (IGC) Show, Chicago, IL California Statewide Master Gardener Conference, Asilomar, CA Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD New York Horticultural Society, New York, NY University of Minnesota horticultural lecture series, Minneapolis, MN Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, Boston, MA American Horticultural Society, Alexandria, VA Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA Missouri Botanic Garden, St. Louis, MO California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA Los Angeles Public Library 'Aloud' series, Los Angeles, CA New England Flower Show, Boston, MA Cincinnati Flower Show, Cincinnati, OH San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, San Francisco, CA Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Seattle, WA Portland Home & Garden Show, Portland, OR Green Spring Botanical Garden, Fairfax, VA Wave Hill Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY Marin Art & Garden Center, Ross, CA Bookstores, botanical gardeners, master gardeners, and garden clubs nationwide      © 2009 Amy Stewart — All rights reserved  www.rj-studio.com