Writers · conferences · libraries

Practical conversations about writing, finishing well, and getting a book into the world.

Laura’s experience as an author gives writers’ groups and community audiences a clear, practical view of the work between having an idea and holding a finished book.

Published author Writers’ groups + conferences Talk · Q&A · workshop
Laura Thomae Young, author and writing speaker

Past settings include
East Side Writers’ Group · Southern Christian Writers Conference

Possible directions

From a blank page to a finished book.

Writing a book can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you keep going when the excitement of the original idea wears off? And once the book is written, what happens next?

Laura can speak to writers’ groups and community audiences about the writing process, staying motivated, finishing the book you started, and understanding the path toward publication. Drawing from her own experience as an author and publisher, she offers practical, down-to-earth conversations for people who are ready to move from “I have an idea for a book” to “I wrote one.”

From idea to manuscript What changes when an idea has to become a complete piece of work.
Revision & finishing Practical ways to keep moving when the first draft is not the finished product.
Publishing lessons What Laura has learned from publishing adult nonfiction and children’s books.
Author Q&A An open conversation shaped around the questions of the writers in the room.

YesBear Publishing

A unique, firsthand perspective.

Laura and her husband bring a unique, firsthand perspective to the writing and publishing process. As authors and the owners of YesBear Publishing, they have written and published their own books and helped other writers bring theirs to life.

Together, they can offer writers’ groups and community audiences a practical, behind-the-scenes look at the journey from a first idea to a finished book—and the many steps in between.

Visit YesBear Publishing →

Program options

Built around the questions in the room

  • Writing talks
  • Publishing conversations
  • Author Q&A
  • Interactive workshops

Common questions

For writers’ groups and event planners

What kinds of groups can book a writing talk?

Laura is open to writers’ groups, conferences, libraries, community programs and other groups interested in writing and publishing.

Can the session be a workshop?

Yes. The program can be a talk, Q&A or workshop depending on the event and the subject Laura and the organizer choose.

What has Laura published?

Laura has published adult nonfiction and children’s books, including Adulting Like a Boss, the Serena the Sailboat series and several bedtime and children’s titles.

Speaking inquiry

Bring Laura to your writers’ group

Tell Laura about the audience, event format and the writing or publishing questions you want the session to address.

  • No public fee list - ask for a quote based on the event.
  • Local, U.S., international and virtual programs are available.
  • Talks can be shaped around the audience, event goal and available time.

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Check Laura’s Availability