Speaking and Consulting

Anitra is a charismatic and confident speaker who loves to take part in public events of all kinds. She’s served on tradeshow panels, moderated virtual talks, taught workshops, emceed events, and more.

Anitra Budd and author Bao Phi in Budd's 2015 Literary Publishing class at Macalester College.

Workshops, Classes, and More

Anitra has spoken at dozens of events, including bookseller and writer conferences, MFA residencies, trade association events, and more. She loves introducing would-be authors and editors to the world of publishing, and helping creative entrepreneurs of all disciplines get more organized.

A screenshot of Anitra Budd in a virtual consultation with interior design expert and author Jill Vegas.

Hands-on Organization Help

For those times you need more than advice! 😊 Anitra is here to help artists, performers, makers, and other creatives get their spaces in order, whether that’s a bulging closet in your home office or an entire cluttered studio. She can assist with all levels of organization, including decluttering, tidying, reorganizing, displaying, and systems creation.

Past Speaking Engagements

  • University of Minnesota–Twin Cities

  • Heartland Fall Forum

  • Bookseller University

  • Hennepin County Public Library

  • Stages Theatre Company’s Teen Mentorship Program

  • Brazos Bookstore’s Summer of Indies series

  • StoryStudio Chicago

  • Poets & Writers How to Get Your Writing Published workshop

Testimonials

Anitra is an expert on her subject. She provided the class with succinct knowledge of the publishing industry along with interactive activities to solidify tips of the trade. She is an affable teacher and a knowledgeable specialist in the editing, writing, and publishing realm and I learned quite a bit in a short amount of time
— Sophie Amado, StoryStudio student
Your [Artful Organization] presentation was fantastic! Your energy, humor, and knowledge made this one of the best workshops I’ve attended in a long time.
— Davida D. Kilgore, Author and Educator
I have nothing to say that could improve Anitra’s teaching. She is the kindest, funniest, most knowledgeable person imaginable to teach literary publishing.
— Student Evaluation, Literary Publishing at Macalester College
Has it ever happened where you can hear the same message all your life, but it never really sinks in UNTIL someone says it in exactly the way you need to hear it? That’s how Anitra’s comments landed for me. She brought up so many great ideas in our conversation that I’m going to be chewing on for a while.
— Matt Jenson, Author
The Abookadabra - Magic of Handselling panel at Heartland Fall Forum with Anitra Budd was a dynamic, informative, and inspiring session. Anitra herself is energetic and knowledgeable. Her easy confidence and good humor create a positive environment from the very start. She listens to participants closely and makes connections between different questions and suggestions that move the discussion forward and create new knowledge. Anitra’s slides were very well crafted — informative without being cluttered, clearly organized, and amusing too! For me, the best thing about Anitra’s presentation was that it helped me connect the wealth of skill and knowledge I possess about this topic but often overlook. This was the inspiring part. Half the notes I took were things I want to remember and reinforce about my own practice or skills my coworkers have that I want to lift up for the whole staff. A terrific learning experience!
— Toni Thayer, Bookseller, Loganberry Books

Consulting and Career Coaching

Anitra shares her 25+ years of publishing and freelancing expertise with individual artists, artist entrepreneurs, and creative small business owners through Springboard for the Arts, a nonprofit based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Need advice on drafting a business plan? Looking to start a freelance editing service? Trying to decide between self and traditional publishing? She can help you think through all these questions and more. Consultations are free or on a sliding scale.

A picture of a wall in Anitra Budd's office, with a pegboard, stack of books, and shelving unit with green and blue storage bins.
  • Twin Cities PBS/TPT Great American Read Kickoff

  • The Thread on Minnesota Public Radio

  • Anoka-Ramsey Community College’s Careers in Writing Series

  • Columbia College’s Story Week

  • SUNY–Binghamton

  • Hamline University

  • Minnesota Book Publishers Roundtable

  • Professional Editors Network (PEN) Minneapolis

  • Loft Literary Center Wordsmith Conference

Your talk [for the Professional Editors Network] was amazing! I think it was one of the best we’ve had in a long time. Your style was open and friendly, and the presentation was quite informative.
— Voncille Meyers, Copy Editor and Proofreader
Just wanted to thank you again for sharing your precious time and obvious talents with me. You have helped to reignite the fire and push me on my way again.
— Renee Peek, Author