Speaking

Public Speaking

I love to provide keynote speeches on the future, talks about writing, and readings from my work.

As a futurist, I am a generalist - I can help groups think about population trends, shifts in global economy, major new technologies, responses to climate change, and the mind-boggling speed of change itself in all areas. I’m willing to research any specific industry long enough to make talks relevant to the appropriate audience. I have spoken to business and non-profit audiences, to schools, and to government officials. I tend to be a very interactive speaker and believe more in conversation that just “giving a talk.”

Because my schedule is full, I only do around five large talks a year, and generally try to stick in the Pacific Northwest, although I’m occasionally willing to travel. I often work with Glen Hiemstra, a Seattle-area futurist, and write articles for Futurist.com. Glen and I can also be booked periodically to help put together industry-specific “Think Tanks” or other guided workshops. Contact Glen directly at Futurist.com to book this kind of event.

Contact me directly:
Brenda Cooper
218 Main #400
Kirkland, WA 98033
Brenda-cooper@sff.net
425 785-9151

Testimonials

A nice comment on a talk I gave from Norm Levy, at the Northwest Entrepreneur Network:

By the nature of the questions asked, you sparked some creative juices in our audience. As a result of your talk, I will personally be exploring new strategies for my own business as well as that of my clients.

In addition to your great content, Brenda, I also enjoyed the manner in which you interacted with the audience. The energy you brought into the room was nice to experience.
Many participants expressed appreciation for the evening with you and Jim Hebert. On behalf of the Northwest Entrepreneur Network, many thanks for the time you devoted to creating a wonderful knowledge exchange.

Comment from Jack Mortimer, Deputy Executive Director - Executive Events, Government Technology magazine:

I’ve heard you speak several times, and I have found you to be one of the better and more enjoyable speakers I have run across. (And in my job, I work with hundreds of speakers per year.)

Books

Reading the Wind by Brenda Cooper

"Brenda Cooper's newest novel is a feast of character and concept. She depicts the devastation of war on microcosmic and macrocosmic levels, and even more so, the driving motives of young men and women caught in deadly conflict. Cooper is a master explorer of the interaction of society and individuals. She probes the psychology of her genetically enhanced characters with both rare depth and fidelity to scientific plausibility. Moral conundrums drive the plot in this unforgettable narrative. Don't miss this compelling work by a major new talent." - Mary A. Turzillo, An Old-Fashioned Martian Girl.

"Brenda Cooper tells a tale of a powerful brother and sister in a fight for their lives, offering insights along the way into the nature of courage and the hunger for community that burns in every human being. This is a lively book, full of colorful images and a memorable cast of human and animal characters, a worthy successor to The Silver Ship and the Sea." - Louise Marley

Available in July, 2008, from Tor Books.

The Silver Ship and the Sea by Brenda Cooper

"The first solo novel by Larry Niven's Building Harlequin's Moon (2005) coauthor portrays the thoroughly convincing human colonial society on Fremont, a dangerous planet rife with vicious predators, frequent earthquakes, and falling meteors....Distinctive characterizations, well-limned interrelationships, and the vividly realized Fremont contribute to an exciting coming-of-age story with a strong message about the evils of prejudice." - Sally Estes, Copyright American Library Association.

Mass Market Paperback, July 2008.
Included by Booklist as a "Best Adult Book for Young Adults."

Building Harlequin's Moon by Brenda Cooper and Larry Niven

"Fans of both hard and softer, psychological SF will welcome veteran Niven and newcome Cooper's well-written tale of a 60,000 year layover in space, in which physical challenges of world building are matched by the social challenges of collaboration among disparate groups." - Publisher's Weekly