I truly enjoy speaking to groups about the history behind these books, and am also available for book fairs, library conferences, etc.
For formal speaking events, an HDMI-ready projector to connect to a Mac laptop (or ability to copy the presentation to your own equipment, along with use of a remote clicker to advance slides), a podium, microphone, and the ability to offer books for sale are the basic requests, but I’m flexible per event requirements. (If the venue does not have an A/V system, I can bring a portable projector, but would need a screen or blank light wall for projection).
I’m also available for small, informal events and gatherings, such as book clubs, etc.
Now scheduling talks for 2024!
Talks Related to We Suffered Much
Author Talk (General to both books)
This approximately 30-minute casual talk begins by sharing what led me to write the books. I’ll answer “commonly asked questions” about my research and writing process, followed by some favorites and not-so-favorite items from the experience. We’ll have plenty of time for questions and conversation at the end.
Highlights of Irish’s Story and Research Adventures
(several options: one focuses on mostly-Minnesota vignettes, others mostly Dakota-based vignettes)
Using photography, historic documents, and maybe a drone video, this 35-45 minute talk (depending on chosen vignettes) covers why I undertook this work, provides background on Irish and his family, then shares some highlights from the book. It ends with a particular research odyssey.
Irish’s Story and the Ingalls Connection
This 45-minute talk begins with why I undertook the research, and background on Irish and his family. We’ll then focus on overlaps between Irish’s story and the Ingalls family, via the contractors on the railroad, shared time at the Silver Lake railroad camp, and similar connections. Using Irish’s diaries and letters as well as the writings and history of Laura Ingalls Wilder, this talk will include enough context so that those unfamiliar with the Little House books will also enjoy.
Combined Book Talk: Charles Wood Irish Vignettes + Snow-Clearing Efforts During the Hard Winter
This 45-minute talk combines materials from both books. After introducing Charles Wood Irish and his family, I’ll share vignettes from his crew’s adventures before transitioning to the Hard Winter. We’ll focus on the area in Minnesota where the battle to keep the trains moving was successful enough for the trains to get as far as Sleepy Eye, using period photographs and newspaper reports.
Talks Related to The Beautiful Snow
The Big Cut West of Tracy
is an approximately 45-minute presentation focusing on the railroad blockades that kept food and fuel from reaching the newly-formed towns in southwestern Minnesota and southeastern Dakota Territory during the Hard Winter of 1880-81. Using the newspaper record, historic photographs, railroad maps, drone photography and video, this presentation introduces the factors that caused the tracks to clog with snow, preventing the trains from running. After delving into the weather that was so difficult that winter, we will then go through the struggle to fight the drifts that blocked the trains.
- Version A: Includes material from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s novel The Long Winter for context.
- Version B: Minimal mention of Wilder’s novel, with a focus on the history of the winter.
How the Hard Winter became The Long Winter
This approximately 35-minute presentation is perfect for libraries and book clubs who want to focus a bit more on the literary process. I begin with a 10 minute overview of the Hard Winter as found in the newspaper record, then follow it up with a 20 minute exploration of some of Wilder’s struggles to convert her family’s experiences into a nearly perfect novel within the Little House series.
History of the Hard Winter of 1880-81
This is an approximately 35 minute presentation. Using the newspaper record, historic photographs, and maps, this presentation provides an overview of the winter, covering the topics of weather, the railroad’s effort and challenges, food, fuel, and boosterism.
- Version A: Includes material from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s novel The Long Winter for context.
- Version B: Minimal mention of Wilder’s novel, with a focus on the history of the winter.
NEW! Creating Centos Poetry from the works of Laura Ingalls Wilder
We’ll begin with an introduction to centos poetry (the creation of poems using phrases found in the works of others.) I’ll have preselected phrases from the novels of Laura Ingalls Wilder, but participants are welcome to preselect your own phrases from any favorite book ahead of time, and bring them to the activity. This 60-minute activity is FUN and appropriate for all ages!
We can add this activity, to be conducted within three hours of a scheduled formal talk, or it can be a stand-alone activity without a formal presentation from either of my books (priced differently).
What audiences participants have said:
“Cindy is a compelling, articulate presenter and very comfortable in answering wide-ranging questions from her listeners. Whether your group’s interest is in severe weather events, pioneer history, the Laura Ingalls Wilder saga, late 19th century frontier journalism or the role of railroads in settling the west, you will learn much from her presentations.” — John Berg, Director and Registrar, Chicago & North Western Historical Society
“Cindy’s presentation was one of the most informative and enjoyable that I’ve experience in my years as a Laura Ingalls Wilder scholar.” — Laura McLemore, Ph.D., Past President, Laura Ingalls Wilders Legacy and Research Association
“Cindy’s keynote address was wonderful! She captivated everyone both with her amazing wealth of information and her energetic delivery. It was terrific. I wasn’t expecting to be so fascinated the whole time. Seriously, great job.” — Becky Brooks, author of Slider’s Son
“Cindy’s presentation and book was highly praised by all who attended — our members are still talking about it!” — Rob Marlow, Programming Coordinator, Mead Cultural Education Center / Yankton County Historical Society / Dakota Territorial Museum
“If you ever get a chance to hear Cindy in person or on Zoom, do it. The talk was fantastic. She has so much knowledge to share in such a down to earth way so everyone can understand it.” — Nancy A., Huron Public Library Patron
“What a fascinating exploration! I was completely engaged. Her research elevates the original material and stands on its own as well.” — Tim C., Attendee, Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association Conference
“Cindy’s outstanding research, map-making skills, and aerial photography make her presentation of the railroad’s activities during the Hard Winter of 1880–1881 a must see.” — Nancy Tystad Koupal, Director of the Pioneer Girl Project, pioneergirlproject.org (retired)
“I really enjoyed the presentation. I was especially impressed with the amount of research that went into the presentation and the sources of that information. It opened a whole new world of information for me and I am inspired to go back to the Wilder books and re-read them. Very good presentation.” — DMK, Patron, Watonwan County Libraries (Minnesota)
“I recommend her for speaking engagements, because I could have listened to her all night. Her research has given her insights, and allows you to escape with her into the past.” — Julie Ann Worthen, Coordinator, Adventure Club