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Insights from Fiction, Poetry, and Screenwriting

Need a speaker? Invite Me.

Blending craft expertise, creative insight, and real‑world experience, I inspire audiences at every stage of their writing journey, helping writers and creatives transform raw ideas into emotionally resonant stories across genres and forms. My presentations explore multicultural fiction published under the Kiva Wolfe™ brand, romance writing, screenwriting from idea to finished script, character and dialogue development, poetry, writing later in life, independent publishing, book cover design, media relations, and low‑budget marketing for authors.

I’m available to speak at writing conferences, libraries, literary festivals, women’s groups, creative‑arts organizations, book clubs, schools, community colleges, adult‑education programs, indie‑publishing groups, and screenwriting meetups.

I deliver engaging, well‑structured presentations tailored to each audience. I’m professional, easy to work with, and committed to providing practical value and inspiration. Whether speaking to a room of aspiring writers or a virtual audience across the country, I bring warmth, clarity, and deep creative insight.

Providing clear, dynamic, craft‑focused sessions.

Relatability

Past Appearances/Awards & Credentials

Award‑winning author and screenwriter with cross‑genre expertise.
Engaging, warm, and relatable speaking style
Experience in media relations and independent publishing
Practical, actionable guidance for writers at all levels
Inspiring perspective on creativity, reinvention, and writing later in life
Customizable talks for conferences, libraries, writing groups, and community events

Past Appearances/Awards & Credentials

Awards & Recognition

Silver and Bronze Seals, Manhattan Book Awards
2027 Distinguished Author—Crime Fiction, International Impact Book Awards
2026 Multicultural & Interracial Romance, International Impact Book Awards
Multiple finalist placements across fiction and screenwriting
Author of the Gem Provenance Legacy series, published under the Kiva Wolfe™ fiction brand
Published poet with three collections exploring memory, grief, and redemption

Speaking & Teaching Experience

Featured speaker for library lectures on writing, creativity, and independent publishing
Presenter of numerous hands‑on educational workshops for writers at all levels
Open‑mic poetry readings and literary events showcasing original work
Active mentor within the local writing community, offering guidance on self‑publishing, creative writing, and developing a sustainable writing practice
Regular contributor to community writing groups, providing instruction, critique, and support

Professional Background

Former museum curator and media relations specialist with experience in public communication, audience engagement, and educational programming
Independent publisher with expertise in book design, branding, and marketing on a shoestring budget

Signature Talks

From Spark to Story: Turning Ideas into Compelling Fiction or Screenplays

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

This talk demystifies the screenwriting process for prose writers. I explain how to think visually, structure scenes, and translate internal emotion into external action. I also share insights from my own award-recognized screenplay journey.

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

I speak candidly about embracing a creative career after decades in other fields, and how reinvention can become a powerful artistic advantage. I offer strategies for overcoming doubt, maintaining creativity, building long‑term artistic identity across genres, and honoring the stories only you can tell.

Crafting True‑to‑Life Characters Readers (and Viewers) Remember

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

Crafting True‑to‑Life Characters Readers (and Viewers) Remember

Whether writing a novel, poem, or screenplay, unforgettable characters are the heartbeat of every story. This session delves into character psychology, motivation, and emotional stakes, while drawing on my strength in creating multicultural characters and vivid real‑world settings that feel lived‑in and true.

Dialogue That Breathes: Writing Conversations That Feel Real

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

Crafting True‑to‑Life Characters Readers (and Viewers) Remember

Dialogue is more than words—it’s rhythm, subtext, conflict, and revelation. I break down techniques for writing dialogue that sounds authentic, advances the story, and reveals character without ever feeling forced.

Art of Emotional Truth: Writing Through Grief, Memory, and Transformation

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

Rooted in the themes of my poetry collections, this talk explores how writers can approach difficult emotional material with honesty and craft. I discuss the balance between vulnerability and structure, and how personal experience can become universal on the page.

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

Drawing from my own experience in media relations and independent publishing, I provide a clear, realistic guide to launching and promoting books without a large budget. Topics include cover design, platform building, reader engagement, and sustainable marketing.

Creative & Professional Inquiries

All fields are required to keep this form secure and ensure genuine messages are received.

This form is for inquiries about my poetry, speaking engagements, and my fiction published under the Kiva Wolfe™ brand.

Marketing, sales, or promotional outreach — including paid review offers — will not receive a response. Emails from Gmail, Yahoo, and other free providers are screened for identity verification. Harassing or threatening messages are documented and reported.

I appreciate you taking the time to reach out. The connection my work creates with readers means a great deal to me.

Rita Hanner-Ward | Writer & Storyteller

Conversations on Writing Craft and Creativity

Insights from Fiction, Poetry, and Screenwriting

Need a speaker? Invite Me.

Providing clear, dynamic, craft‑focused sessions.

Relatability

Past Appearances/Awards & Credentials

Past Appearances/Awards & Credentials

Past Appearances/Awards & Credentials

Past Appearances/Awards & Credentials

Past Appearances/Awards & Credentials

Signature Talks

From Spark to Story: Turning Ideas into Compelling Fiction or Screenplays

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

Crafting True‑to‑Life Characters Readers (and Viewers) Remember

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

Crafting True‑to‑Life Characters Readers (and Viewers) Remember

Dialogue That Breathes: Writing Conversations That Feel Real

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

Crafting True‑to‑Life Characters Readers (and Viewers) Remember

Art of Emotional Truth: Writing Through Grief, Memory, and Transformation

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

Creative & Professional Inquiries

Contact Me

All fields are required to keep this form secure and ensure genuine messages are received.

Conversations on Writing Craft and Creativity

Insights from Fiction, Poetry, and Screenwriting

Need a speaker? Invite Me.

Providing clear, dynamic, craft‑focused sessions.

Relatability

Past Appearances/Awards & Credentials

Past Appearances/Awards & Credentials

Past Appearances/Awards & Credentials

Past Appearances/Awards & Credentials

Past Appearances/Awards & Credentials

Signature Talks

From Spark to Story: Turning Ideas into Compelling Fiction or Screenplays

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

Crafting True‑to‑Life Characters Readers (and Viewers) Remember

Writing Later in Life: Reinvention, Courage, Discipline, and the Creative Second Act

Crafting True‑to‑Life Characters Readers (and Viewers) Remember

Dialogue That Breathes: Writing Conversations That Feel Real

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

Crafting True‑to‑Life Characters Readers (and Viewers) Remember

Art of Emotional Truth: Writing Through Grief, Memory, and Transformation

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

The Indie Author’s Roadmap: Publishing, Branding, and Marketing on a Shoestring

Creative & Professional Inquiries

Contact Me

All fields are required to keep this form secure and ensure genuine messages are received.

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