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About Us

SBA The Steven Barclay Agency, Inc. represents some of our culture's most distinguished and thought-provoking voices—for lectures, readings, conferences, and other special events. Established in 1996, our Agency offers a roster of literary figures and public radio journalists for their speaking engagements at colleges, universities, schools, performing arts centers, corporations, associations, and for private events.

You may already be familiar with some of our clients: Terry Gross, the host of public radio's Fresh Air; poets Billy Collins, Kevin Young, and Tracy K. Smith; David Sedaris, NPR commentator and best-selling author; and novelists Susan Choi, Zadie Smith, and Min Jin Lee. Many of the speakers represented exclusively by our Agency have been awarded notable distinctions: Pulitzer Prizes, Nobel Prizes, National Book Awards, Peabody Awards, Tony Awards, among many others.

We have designed this web site to give you as much information about each speaker as possible in order to help you make informed decisions. Each speaker has a separate page with a biography, photo, and related links.

If you wish to make arrangements for an appearance, or to receive further information, simply e-mail, phone, or write us. Whether you are a corporate events planner, professor or instructor, a student programmer, a community arts presenter, a director of student activities, or in charge of speakers for your association, meeting, or conference, we are available to help you with your programming needs.

If you are searching for a speaker you do not see listed, please contact us. Simply provide us with the speaker or type of speaker you are looking for, the format, date, and budget of the event with your contact information, and we will happily return your inquiry. With 25 years’ experience in the lecture field, we can easily work to locate the person you are trying to find. In addition, our Agency can negotiate or broker the engagement for you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I obtain information on honorarium costs and fees for certain speakers?

You can call or email us and we would be happy to discuss fees with you.

Are speakers available for virtual events?

Many of our speakers are available for remote or “virtual” events. For additional information and recommendations on planning a virtual event, visit our Virtual Events page.

If you are interested in hosting one of our speakers in a virtual format, please complete the “Request Fees and Availability” form found on each speaker’s page or our contact page, and indicate that you would like more information about a virtual event.

Can SBA The Steven Barclay Agency, Inc. help me find other speakers not on your exclusive list?

Yes. Our agency has over 25 years of experience in producing and presenting lecture events. Even if we do not represent the person you are looking for, chances are we have a very good idea of how to find them for you. We can provide the service of acting as the agent on their behalf to bring these important speakers to you at no additional cost.

How can I find out where one of your speakers will be lecturing in my area?

We do list a few of our clients' tour schedules on our website. But we do not list all the schedules. The best way to find out if one of our clients will be speaking in your area, is to give us a phone call (please do not email us about this). Tell us where you are located, who you are interested in, and we will do our best to quickly look at their schedule and give you that information, whenever possible.

How can I get a personal letter to one of your clients?

We are happy to forward letters via regular mail to our clients. Please address your letter to the author in care of SBA The Steven Barclay Agency, Inc., 12 Western Avenue, Petaluma, CA 94952.
Please note that we do not forward emails, books, manuscripts, proposals, or packages, and we are unable to follow up with our clients regarding any forwarded mail. Thank you.

I would like to get a book autographed. Is this possible?

No. The best way to get a book signed is by attending a lecture or reading by the writer and having your book autographed at the book signing. Feel free to call us for information on future appearances in your area by the author you are interested in. Please do not send any books to our office as they will not be forwarded.

May I send my book/work to an author for a recommendation for the jacket?

Most of the authors that we represent are very busy with their own writing and unable to offer this service. You may send a request in a letter to the author care of our office and we will forward it (please see the FAQ re: sending a personal letter). Please do not send unsolicited manuscripts, proof pages, or bound galleys as they will not be forwarded, nor will we be able to return the material to you.