upcoming events
about cristen
Writing a Legacy Memoir: Finding the Story in Your History
- the difference between commercial and legacy memoir,
- the difference between autobiographies and memoirs,
- how professional writers structure books and make decisions about what stories and information to put in and what to leave out,
- and how to encourage parents and grandparents to tell their stories before it's too late
because every story deserves to be told, and any story worth telling is worth telling well.
February 20, 2020 7:00-8:00 PM
April 24 and 25, 2020 in Boise at the Boise Centre
For more information, click here.
what event planners & attendees say
"The insights Cristen shared were motivational and also practical. She helped me think about the writing process from multiple perspectives which will inevitably result in more powerful writing--whether fiction, nonfiction, memoir, whatever. Plus, her professionalism and expertise seem to be only matched by her warmth, approachability, and sincere desire to help others." --Monica Pierce, Idaho Writers Guild Literary Luncheon attendee, August 2019
"Cristen Iris is an excellent speaker who is known for her editing skill and professionalism. She clearly expresses relevant material that I can immediately apply in my business. I appreciate Cristen’s ability to readily handle questions and offer well-researched methods and ideas." —Kim Foster, freelance book editor and co-founder of the Idaho Writers and Editors Association
"Thank you for sharing your insights during your Anthropology at Work: From Education to Employment, College to Career presentation. It was the most inspirational fifty minutes I've experienced since returning to university studies!" —Katherine Kappelman
"Amazing insight. Really appreciate the transparent, no-holds-barred presentation. Tremendous help!" —Jake Levya
"Cristen is an authority and gives a well-structured workshop. Really liked the comparison of nonfiction and fiction and what's at stake for the reader." —Pamela Thompson
"The handout is great and a good resource for later ... excellent talk. You're my role model. I want to be as informed and professional as you are." —CS Kjar
"Cristen's information and presentation are pragmatic. I walked away with gems I can use." —anonymous
"Cristen cares." —anonymous
Cristen Iris is a developmental editor, book collaborator, author manager, and the owner of CI Communication Strategies. She is known for being a long-term thinker and creative problem solver who is results-oriented and people focused.
She specializes in helping people think strategically and act efficiently. In a world full of people with conflicting goals and beliefs, she’s developed the ability to bring people to the table and keep them there and applies her understanding of people and language in areas ranging from education to advocacy and activism to sales.
Cristen uses lessons learned in the publishing industry to help people bridge communication gaps and be more persuasive and, therefore, more effective.
Audiences appreciate Cristen’s well-researched, value-oriented presentations and ability to meet them where they are and connect in the moment. When people see her, she sees them.
Event organizers love Cristen’s enthusiasm and commitment to being easy to work with. She sees herself as a strategic partner invested in the outcome, not just a speaker.
Cristen holds a degree in anthropology and is fascinated by medical anthropology and human behavioral ecology—how our environments shape our actions and beliefs and why we often act in ways that undermine our goals and relationships. Her clients include a New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and IndieBound bestseller and Today Show Read with Jenna book of the month pick; a GRAMMY Award ® winner; a triple amputee physician and disability advocate; human rights activists; whole-food, plant-based/vegan climate and nutrition experts; competitive athletes; and entrepreneurs.
Partial Client List
- Whole Food, Plant-Based for Life Support Group (Boise Id)
- The Aware Athlete Show
- Smart Women, Smart Money
- Idaho Health and Welfare
- Boise State University
- Idaho Writers Guild
- Library! Boise
- Library at Collister
- Eagle Library
- So Called Podcast
- Nonfiction Authors Association (global teleseminar and local events)
- Idaho Writers and Editors Association
Sample Topics
- Your Vision, Your Voice: How to Think Like and Work with a Developmental Editor (Rated 9.67/10 by a SOLD OUT Idaho Writers Guild crowd!)
- Master Communication Skills: How to Meet People Where They Are and Move Forward Together
- Say More, Sell More: Identify and Speak to Your Ideal Audience
- Quiet Influence: Brand Building and Power Networking for Introverts
- The Persuasive Writer: Secrets to Writing Authoritative and Compelling Nonfiction
- From No to Go! How to Build Your Brand and Write a Competitive Book Proposal
- The Active Advocate: How to Find Common Ground to Get Better Results
- Slacktivism to Activism: How to Make the Move from Talking about What Needs to Happen to Making Things Happen
- The Persuasive Vegan: How to Talk Your Walk without Trampling Others
all customized to appeal to your audience and meet your goals
what event planners & attendees say
"As a presenter, teacher, author, and Toastmaster, I am always delighted to find someone as talented, graceful, and professional as Cristen Iris. She exudes confidence, displays high organizational skills, while being able to deliver each person’s needs in a training setting. She’s a gem in our community, and I’m thankful to know and work with her." —Sherry Briscoe, author and workshop organizer for the Idaho Writers Guild
"I went into Cristen’s Persuasive Vegan talk thinking I would learn how to handle the “How do you get your protein?” and other perpetual questions that people eating a plant-based diet get. Instead, I experienced a profound mind shift regarding the way I interact with my omnivore husband. Cristen speaks with compassion and heart and helps others to live up to their highest self. Thank you!" -Barbara Smith, Eat 4 Health LLC
"Cristen’s engagement with the audience was phenomenal. The information was well presented. She is a dynamic, knowledgeable, and engaging speaker. I highly recommend her as a presenter." —Renee Settle
"Cristen is a true professional on every level. As a leader for the Nonfiction Authors Association, she provided support, training and encouragement for her team. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she never hesitates to go above and beyond to exceed expectations. She has been a valued asset to our organization and will no doubt continue to dazzle all those she works with in the future."
— Stephanie Chandler, CEO and founder, Nonfiction Authors Association
past engagements & topics
Your Vision, Your Voice: How to Think like and Work with a Developmental Editor Idaho Writers Guild Literary Luncheon August 2019 Sold Out & Rated 9.67/10!
The Approachable Vegan: Bringing People to the Table and Keeping Them There Boise Self-Help Group August 2019
The Persuasive Vegan: How to Talk Your Walk without Trampling Others Whole Food, Plant-Based 4 Life Support Group, Boise August 2019
Play to Win: How to Make Your Life Imitate Your Art & Be the Hero of Your Own Journey The Aware Athlete Show August 2019
Memoir Writing 101: Finding the Story in Your Story Eagle Public Library January 2019
Setting the Record Straight: How Traditional Publishing Really Works and Why You Need to Understand It Meridian Chapter of the Nonfiction Authors Association January 2019
Author Panel Q&A Library! at Collister December 2018
Genre Specialization: The Key to Editorial Excellence Idaho Editors and Writers Association November 2018
Secrets to Writing Authoritative and Compelling Nonfiction Nonfiction Authors Association Teleseminar October 2018
Anthropology at Work: Education to Employment, College to Career Boise State University 2018
So Called Podcast Interview 2018
Idaho Writers' Corner Author and Editor Panel Library! at Collister 2017
Working with a Developmental Editor Library! Boise 2018
The Power of Precise Language: Choosing Words for Impact and Effectiveness Idaho Editors and Writers Association 2017
The Wind Up, the Pitch, and the Swing Idaho Writers Guild 2017
Point of View & Perspective Library! at Collister 2017
It's All About Pacing Library! at Collister 2017
Evolutionary Medicine and the Heterozygous Advantage Idaho Health and Welfare Spring 2014 Epidemiology Conference co-presented with medical anthropologist and epidemiologist Dr. Robert Graff
The Importance of Balancing Fixed and Variable
