Welcome to the official Future-Proof Author Speaker Submission application!

We are thrilled you are interested in presenting at Future-Proof Author, and look forward to reading your submission.

Please note: the deadline to submit is May 15, 2025!

Be sure to read the "Guidelines to pitch a winning presentation for Future-Proof Author" below!

Also note: We have limited speaking slots. You must agree that you will not pitch from the stage. Attendees are coming to learn and leave with actionable steps. If your presentation delivers enough value, they will reach out to you to hire you. Speakers who turn their speaking slot into a pitch-fest will not be invited back.

Every speaker must agree to deliver clear, actionable, and timely content for authors focused on writing, publishing, and positioning themselves for long-term success.

Examples of topics we are looking for include:

—The art or science of writing "page-turning" books

—How to leverage AI or other technology

—How to protect your intellectual property

—Different ways to publish books

—Creative ways authors are selling books, growing audiences, and generating revenue outside traditional retail

—How to turn your book into speaking gigs, podcasts, courses, or consulting work

—What actually matters when building a personal brand that sells books and builds trust.

—How to co-author, work with ghostwriters, or build a team without losing your voice.

—What to do once the book is done — building a launch plan that works even without a big budget.

—Trends to watch and how to adapt your approach so you stay relevant for years to come.

—How to connect with your audience in ways that grow loyalty, reviews, and word-of-mouth sales.

—Mistakes that drain time and money — and how smart authors avoid them.

Be creative in your submissions and feel free to submit as many presentations as you would like (again, please see our Guide to Pitching below and be sure you submit each presentation separately).

*** UPDATED ***   GUIDELINES TO PITCH A WINNING PRESENTATION

These are some things we’ve learned so far that will help you in your pitch to speak!

BE VERY SPECIFIC in your submission. For example: “How to Step into Your Greatness” or “How to Kill it in Social Media” are too generic and broad. Be specific; title your topic geared to this particular audience.

Your pitch should be more than 4 sentences long.

Each pitch/presentation should be about one topic. For example: “How to Start, How to Grow and How to Make Money” is, again, too broad as there is no way someone could offer that information effectively in a 20-30 minute talk.

Your pitch should be audience-centered, not You-centered.

Be "just creative enough" with your title and description: the title and description that go into the agenda come straight from your submission. Think about someone reading the agenda and debating which talk they want to see. Use your title and description to draw people to your presentation but don't be so creative that nobody knows what to expect from your session.

PRESENTATION TITLE: Try not to name your presentation “How to do ABC...”.

A presentation titled “20+ Ways to Promote Your Book Besides Using Social Media” is much more enticing than “How to Promote Your Book.”

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION: Be thorough and descriptive. Again, thinking about you as an attendee and reading the schedule … what would attract you to your presentation?

PRESENTATION TYPES  

Full breakout presentation speaker: You’ll get 20-30 minutes of time with an additional few minutes for Q&A added based on demand.

Panel speaker: You’ll be on a panel with 3-4 others who can co-share on a subject, idea or strategy.

SPEAKER TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

We’ve provided some specific guidelines to which you will give your commitment by agreeing below. If we select you as a speaker for Future-Proof Author, you will be committed to these terms and conditions:

1. We recommend speakers or panelists apply to speak directly. Submissions from agents & PR firms will be considered after those submitted by speakers directly.

2. If selected for a speaking opportunity, the team will communicate directly with the speaker/panelists in lieu of a third party (agent and PR firm etc.). Furthermore, this will serve as the agreement between speaker and Future-Proof Author.

3. In addition to speaking, all speakers, moderators, experts, and panelists are given access to attend our on-site networking event(s). 

4. Compensation will consist of the following:   All speakers will receive a comped speaker pass to the conference. This will be the sole compensation unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. If the speaker has already purchased a pass to the conference and then is chosen they may pay their pass forward to someone who needs a hand up, or get a partial refund that accounts for the food and beverage cost (pending the pass you bought) after being chosen to speak.

6. By agreeing to speak, you are granting the hosts the right to use your name, image, likeness, bio and topic information in the promotion of the event and your session. This includes, without limitation, listings on our web site and landing pages, promotional mailers/e-mails/newsletters, advertisements, the show directory/addendum and various other sources as to be determined by the event team.

7. The hosts shall have the right and royalty-free license to produce, use, promote, or sell and show an audio, video, tape-delayed broadcast, or any other broadcast method now or in the future of the speaker’s session, or to the public generally, through streaming Internet video, recordings, or any other means now available or available in the future.

8. There is to be absolutely, positively no selling from the stage by speakers. Educate the audience; do not sell to them. Impress attendees with your knowledge and they will seek you out.

9. There are to be no political discussions or political jokes from speakers up on any of our stages unless the show and the discussion is political in nature and attendees already know what they're in for. The event is designed to be an escape from political discourse focused on serving the audience on the specific subject matter of the event.

10. This Agreement shall in all respects be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida and Hillsborough County, which will be the sole venue and jurisdiction for any disputes among the party.

By submitting, the speaker agrees to these terms.