In hosting an author for a community reads program, it doesn’t get any better than Monica Wood. She is an absolute delight! From her heartwarming presentation remarks to her engaging answers during the moderated Q & A, Ms. Wood is the epitome of graciousness. She is both interested and interesting and will surely delight any audience!” — Lake Oswego Public Library, 2025

Monica Wood has twice been a featured visiting writer in the Fridays at Westminster series of readings and concerts at Westminster School in Simsbury, CT. We will definitely invite her to come back again, too, because her visits have energized students and teachers alike. Ms. Wood is an engaging and thoughtful speaker (exactly like her books) whether she is reading to a packed crowd of 150 in our reading room or discussing books and ideas with small groups of students in a classroom setting.” — Westminster School, CT

Monica Wood, who spoke to us in March, 2018, was one of our great successes! There are several reasons why. Monica came extremely well prepared. She followed our guidelines (not all our authors do), which have to do with time and our request that speakers not read from their work; we much prefer to find out the “inside scoop” on how and why a book was written. Monica was so engaging—we laughed, we cried, just as we had while reading The One-in-a-Million Boy—she left us wanting more. And she was one of the very few speakers gracious enough to take the time to stop at each table to say a personal hello and thank you. Impressive. Monica Wood is a writer of extraordinary talent and a truly memorable speaker; they don’t always go hand in hand. I recommend her without reservation.” — Indian River Literary Society, FL

Monica Wood is a rock star. She came to speak at Bates after we had assigned her memoir, When We Were the Kennedy’s as the reading for incoming first-year students, so our students and faculty were very excited to meet the author. Suffice it to say that she exceeded all expectations. Her talk was remarkable — intelligent, nuanced, personal, and funny. Her use of language, in her speaking as in her writing, is beautiful and precise, and her story-telling is riveting in the best tradition of the Irish. Monica opened up a new world for our campus that night and invited us in. The entire evening felt less like a “talk” than a wonderful visit with an old friend. — Bates College

Monica was a keynote speaker at an Exhibit opening I organized recently – she was wonderful to work with in every way. Prior to the event, she was communicative, helpful and obliging – providing a quote for our press release and responding to all our queries in a timely and thorough fashion. Her graciousness prior to the event, however, paled in comparison to her presentation at our event. She was a wonderful speaker and held the audience captivated. She has an easy demeanor, allowing the audience to feel connected to her immediately. Her stage presence is simultaneously commanding and relaxed. She is engaging, warm, funny and simply delightful, appealing to a broad audience. — University of Southern Maine

Monica Wood is a brilliant and compelling speaker. Everyone in the audience was charmed by the presentation of her book, The One in a Million Boy. There are many excellent writers in Maine, but none that can compare to Monica Wood as both an author and a speaker. — St. George Summer Literary Series

Monica is truly one of Portland Public Library’s favorite speakers! Whenever she is featured, she draws a crowd. And she delights that crowd with her stories, her grace, and her ready, playful wit. Whether it’s her own book launch, a Summer Reading discussion, a presentation with other writers, or any appearance, she embraces the audience as if it is an intimate conversation with a dear friend. — Portland Public Library, ME

We were thrilled to have Monica Wood speak at our library. She is an engaging, funny and entertaining speaker. She drew a large crowd of readers and spent quality time with people after her talk – signing books and answering questions — Curtis Memorial Library, ME