A Note From Me

Let me challenge you a little today.

How long have you been saying,
“I’m going to write my book”?

A year?
Three years?
Five?

If you are serious about being seen as a professional speaker, then hear me clearly:

You need a book.

Not because it sounds impressive.
Not because it’s trendy.

But because a book positions you as the authority before you ever step on stage.

Professional speakers don’t just speak.
They build intellectual property.

And intellectual property pays.

Why a Book Grows Your Speaking Income

Here’s what shifts when you add a book to your business:

1️⃣ You Increase Your Perceived Value

“Author of…” changes the introduction — and the negotiation.

You’re no longer pitching a talk.
You’re presenting expertise with proof.

2️⃣ You Raise Your Fees

A book justifies higher rates.

It moves you from “motivational” to “subject-matter expert.”

And buyers pay more for expertise.

3️⃣ You Create Immediate Back-End Revenue

50 books at $25 = $1,250
100 books at $25 = $2,500

Now imagine negotiating bulk book purchases into your contract.

That’s how speakers move from honorariums to revenue streams.

4️⃣ You Open Doors Beyond the Stage

Books lead to:

• Media interviews

• Podcast features

• Corporate training contracts

• Consulting retainers

• Curriculum licensing

Your book is not the product.

It’s the gateway to bigger contracts.

Stop Talking. Start Writing.

If you’ve been sitting on your book idea…

If you’ve outlined it three times…

If you’ve said, “This is my year” every January…

It’s time to do something about it.

Because the truth is this:

Every year you delay writing your book, you delay income.

And delay impact.

🎉 You’re Invited: The Bankable Book Launch Collective

On February 24 at 7 PM CST, join us as 7 speakers I worked with inside the Bankable Book Intensive officially launch their new books.

They wrote, published, and positioned their books in less than 90 days.

Not someday.
Not “when life slows down.”

Ninety. Days.

Come see what execution looks like.

You’ll hear:

• How they got unstuck

• How they structured their message

• How they turned expertise into assets

I’ll drop the Zoom link separately to you by email but mark your calendar. This one will be so good. 

Save the date:
February 24
7 PM CST

If they can do it in 90 days… so can you. Come learn first hand how it can be done.

5 Vetted Speaker Leads This Week

As always, here are this week’s opportunities.
Don’t just glance at them — research them.

1️⃣ ILEA LIVE Chicago

Location: Chicago, IL

Date: August 24-26, 2026

Audience: Live Event industry professionals

Looking for: 

In 2026, the ILEA Live Annual Conference comes to Chicago. This year’s theme is “Creating Futures” which celebrates what it means to bring experiences to life, to move audiences, inspire connection, and live your craft with passion and purpose.

The ILEA 2026 Program Committee is seeking innovative voices, fresh perspectives, and thought-provoking topics that reflect the creativity and evolution of the live events profession. If you have an idea that challenges the norm, celebrates innovation, or helps others elevate their event practice, we want to hear from you.

Topics can include:

Creativity & Design 

Leadership Development

Diversity & Inclusion

Business Strategy 

Sustainability 

Deadline: None provided so ASAP
For more info

Apply to speak 

2️⃣ Spark Women's Leadership Conference 

Location: St. John's, British Columbia, Canada

Dates: October 7-8, 2026

Audience: 

Spark 2026 introduces our theme: 360° Ready: Thrive at Every Angle, a powerful invitation for women to look at your career, leadership, and personal growth through a full circle lens. This theme is about multidimensional readiness, the ability to look inward to strengthen your core leadership skills, outward to navigate industry and community, forward to anticipate change, and all around to build meaningful connections and collaboration.

Looking for: We are looking for two types of sessions - 1) soft skills in leadership development & strategies for women in the workplace at all levels, and 2) technical skills specific to career & business development, i.e. project management, social media, etc.

Deadline: Februrary 20, 2026 11:59 PM

For more info

Apply to speak

** Speakers are asked to submit their speaker fees with their RFP and it is noted that the conference arranges travel**

3️⃣ IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) Houston 2026 Monthly Luncheons

Location: Houston, TX or virtual 

Dates: TBD (ongoing speaker portal)

Audience: IABC Houston is one of the most active and long-standing chapters in the International Association of Business Communicators network. Our members include corporate communicators, PR professionals, marketers, agency leaders, freelancers and nonprofit and government communicators across Greater Houston.

Looking for : We are currently seeking speakers who can share relevant and actionable content aligned with our members’ interests. If you're a thought leader, practitioner or expert in communication, strategy, leadership or technology, we want to hear from you!

Deadline: Ongoing

More info

Apply to speak

*They ask for your speaker fee if required*

4️⃣ Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association 

Location: Varies but in SE States 

Dates: Varies 

Audience:  The Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association (SAHMA) is a membership organization of owners and managers of affordable, multifamily housing in the Southeast, actively involved in many different housing programs. As a partner of the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA), SAHMA champions the preservation of the nation’s stock of affordable housing.

Looking for: No specific topics provided. Take a look at what their organization does, look at past conference speakers and agendas, tailor your talk to be similar to something that has already been approved but with your flare on it

Deadline: None provided b/c ongoing search

For more info

Apply to speak

5️⃣ Florida's Professional Association 

Location: Orlando, FL

Date: July 30- Aug 2

Audience: Top business leaders

Looking for: This year, Professionals in Paradise 2026 is bringing together the brightest minds in business, leadership, and innovation through expert-led panel discussions and speaking opportunities. We are inviting industry leaders, visionaries, and influencers to share their insights and expertise with a highly engaged audience.

Leadership, influence, high-performance strategy

For more info

Apply to speak

Your assignment:

Don’t disqualify yourself.

Research past speakers.
Study their themes.
Position your topic inside their outcomes.

That’s how bankable speakers move.

🎯 Final Word

Your book is not optional if you want to:

• Command higher fees

• Be taken seriously

• Scale beyond the stage

• Build generational intellectual property

If you’re ready to finally write the book you’ve been talking about…

It’s time.

I’ll see you at the launch on February 24.

And maybe next time, we’ll be celebrating your book. The next Bankable Book Intensive is opening soon. Space is limited so if you want in just reply to this email and say BOOK and Ill make sure you get the details first. 

Keep building.
Keep positioning.
Keep becoming bankable.

— Dr. Shana

The Bankable Speaker Coach