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SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Join me for an online group, one on one workshop, classes, or guest speaker presentation! My topics: creativity, imagination, faith, and the arts. See more ideas below. My goal is for your audience to have new insight,  energy, and direction. Contact me.

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Guest Lectures

  • "The Magic Three," Poetry Writing Workshop, William Jewel College Art Gallery, Feb 2023

  • “Podcasting & Voice" Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 2022

  • "Teamwork & the Arts" Greenville University, UNIV 401 Students, Greenville, IN 2021

  • "Freedom to Create Artist Talk," MidAmerica Nazarene University Library, Olathe, KS 2019

  • "Women’s Creativity," Panel Discussion. Park University AAUW, Parkville, MO; 2012

  • "Picture Book Plot and Rhythm."MFA students, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN; 2011

  • "The Subconscious Writing Process." MFA students, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN; 2011

  • Earth Day in Kansas CityKC Examiner,  Featured Journalist on Three local Radio Stations, Earth Day 2010

Testimonials

Evie Telfer, Women's Ministry Director

Conference

Thank you for your art for our conference... it was thought-provoking, appropriate to the theme, and contemporary (and I've heard great comments from others)! . . . . Thanks for your wonderful contribution to this event.

Gloria Heifner, Artist

Monthly Chapter Meeting

Thank you for sharing at the gathering Polly! I think you inspired all of us. It was one of the best gatherings we’ve had. 

Panel Discussion

Nanci Stoeffler, Artist

I just want to tell you that the insight that you shared at the conference... has profoundly changed my life. I am still pondering that concept and it's having a deep ripple effect through all areas of my life. I am eternally grateful. THANK YOU!!!

Samantha Malay, Poet

Radio Show

I really enjoyed listening to your interview on Artspeak Radio. I loved your description of universal feminism and what you said about accessing language through writing rather than speaking.

Helen Hokansen, Committee Chair

Conference

The reviews from the writing conference are in. You were one of our faculty favorites!

Dr. Jane Bell, Project Head

Practicum Course Partner

Because of excellent project scope and project development, positive and honest critiques... you are awarded the project partner supreme! I’ve done 10 semesters of experience first [practicum course] and this group was one of my top...what a joy to see them grow individually and bond as a team even with the hassle of the pandemic. Thank you for your leader ship and Guidance.

Dario, Kingergarden Student

Class Visit

Dear Mrs. McCann, Thank you for coming to visit and sharing your "poums." 

Kierra B., 7th Grader

Class Visit

I was stuck in a place where I had no idea how to publish my novel. You inspired me to continue writing and maybe publish a book one day. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Kierra B.

Recent Talks

Picture Books for Nonprofits & Private Sector, KS/ MO Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, Jul 2023

The Dawn of  Your Inner Creative Artist, Sketchox Auxillary, KCAI, OP, KS Mar 2023

The Come Back, Artists and Poest, CUMC KC historic Jazz District, MO Apr 2023

KS/ MO Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Writing Picture Books for Nonprofits, Jul 2023

Intro to Children's Book Writing, The Writers Place, KC, Mo Aug 2023

Sketchox Auxillary, KCAI, The Dawn of Your Inner Creative Artist, OP, KS 2023

The Magic Three, Poetry Writing Workshop, William Jewel College Art Gallery, Feb 2023

Gathering of Artists, Creativity through Symbol, Creativity through Theme, KC, MO 2021, 2022

Swordfish Toms, Night Forest Poetry Reading, KC, MO 2022

Joco Library Writers Conference, Chatting about Chapbooks, KS, Nov. 2022

Joco Library Writers Conference, Place & Power in Narrative Poetry, KS, Nov. 2022

Writer's Place Reading, Night Forest Poetry Reading, KC, MO 2022

In Our Own Words, Writers Place & KC Public Schools, Poetry, Kansas City, MO 4th graders, 2022

Live Interviews w/ Poets, Ketchupedia Poetry Radio, KONN 100.1 FM 30 episodes, weekly, 2021

Doorway to Story Workshops, Reconciliation Serves Grandparent Program, KC, MO 2021

Doorway to Story Workshop, Joco Library Writers Conference, Kids: Overland Park, KS 2021

Freewriting from Symbols , JoCo Library Writers Conference,  Nov 2021

Dark Poems bring us into the light, River Front Reading Series, KC, MO Nov. 2020

Artist Talk, Art in the Loop, Art on the Line, KC StreetCar Art Tour, Sept 23, 2020

Y.U.R. Interesting Online Workshops, Narrative Poetry Workshop, KC, MO Aug 2020

Poetry is Reasonable, International Poetry Day, Oasis Group, Kansas City, MO, Mar 2020

Studio Artist Life, KC Art Lounge, Jan Jensen Artists, Live online Interview, Dec 2020

Hands Out: Five ways to revise a poem, Joco Library Writers Conference, KS, Nov.2020

Long Story Short: Publishing short stories, Joco Library Writers Conference, KS 2020

Author Panel Discussion: Short Fiction, Mid-Continent Public Library Story Center, Liberty, MO 2020

Kids: Doorway to Story Workshop, Joco Library Writers Conference, Johnson County, KS 2020

The Word: Creativity in Dark Times. NC/ Northland Cathedral, KC, MO Aug 2020 

Dark Poetry for Dark Times, KKFI, ArtSpeak Radio, KC, MO April 8th, 2020

Speaking about Faith. Genesis 1:1, Annual Faith and Art Show Featured Speaker, KC, MO Feb 22, 2020

Creative Practice Workshops for Artists, InterUrban ArtHouse, OP, KS Spring, 2020

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