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Transform storytelling and creative writing with Lee Gutkind, speaker, creative nonfiction pioneer. Lee works with diverse audiences to uncover compelling narratives and develop impactful communication skills, delivering expert insights as founder of Creative Nonfiction magazine and award-winning author of over 30 books.

Trusted by MD Anderson UTHealth Houston, Fashion Institute of Technology

Lee Gutkind
Lee Gutkind

Lee Gutkind

Pittsburgh, United States

Typical fee range

$11k–25k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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Lee Gutkind

Book Lee

Pittsburgh, United States

Starting from

$11k–25k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Lee Gutkind's biography

At a glance

  • Founder of Creative Nonfiction literary magazine
  • Renowned speaker and educator on storytelling
  • Author of over 30 books on diverse subjects

Lee Gutkind is an accomplished writer, speaker, and literary innovator. He is the founder of the literary magazine Creative Nonfiction and has a talent for teaching people from all walks of life how to uncover compelling stories and make them impactful.


Lee has shared his ideas with audiences worldwide, speaking at various venues, including medical centres, museums, scientific organisations, library associations, and universities. He has also contributed his expertise to publications such as The New York Times and National Public Radio.


With over 30 books to his name, Lee has explored diverse realms, immersing himself in subjects such as the motorcycle subculture. He has played a pivotal role in establishing creative nonfiction programs at the University of Pittsburgh and Goucher College, as well as organising conferences and literary festivals that enrich the writing community.


Currently, Lee serves as the Writer-in-Residence at Arizona State University and holds a professorship in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication. He has been recognised throughout his career with numerous honours and awards, including the Steve Allan Individual Award by United Mental Health.


Contact the PepTalk team today for fee information and to check speaker availability.

Topics, sessions and talks

You Can't Make This Stuff Up

Writing creative nonfiction – from memoir to literary journalism and everything in between.

Same Time Next Week: True Stories Of Working Through Mental Illness

Lee Gutkind shares compelling true stories of resilience and recovery, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of individuals navigating their journeys through mental illness.

Lead with Stories: Inspire Action and Acceptance Through Powerful Narratives

Lee Gutkind discusses the power of narrative in persuading and motivating people by sharing compelling, true stories that resonate and inspire action and acceptance of ideas.

Stuck In Time: The Crisis of Childhood Mental Health and How We Can Help

Lee Gutkind discusses the critical issue of childhood mental health, highlighting its tragic persistence and offering insights into potential solutions for improvement and support.

Almost Human: Our Future With Robots

Lee Gutkind explores the evolving relationship between humans and robots, discussing the future implications and ethical considerations of our increasing reliance on robotic technology.

Why we recommend booking Lee

Lee Gutkind's unparalleled expertise in storytelling and creative nonfiction can transform how your team communicates, fostering a culture of compelling and impactful narratives. His vast experience speaking at diverse venues ensures he can tailor his insights to your specific industry needs, enhancing creativity and innovation within your business. Booking Lee will not only inspire your team but also equip them with practical tools to harness the power of storytelling in achieving business objectives.

Check Lee's availability

Trusted by MD Anderson UTHealth Houston, Fashion Institute of Technology

Testimonials

Lee is one of those rare gifted writers who are also eloquent speakers—and importantly, entertaining speakers, who engage an audience and hold their attention from start to finish. In particular, the transplant surgeons and their staff loved his talk about organ transplantation.

Anand B. Karnad

Professor of Medicine, MD Anderson UTHealth Houston

Lee Gutkind is the total package! Not only is he the authority on creative nonfiction, but he is also a compelling, entertaining, and flexible speaker. We were fortunate to have him on campus for several days, during which he read his own excellent work, lectured on genre and craft, and created an energetic dialogue with students and faculty during a series of class visits. We all learned a lot from Lee, and enjoyed ourselves very much in the process!

Amy Lemmon

Fashion Institute of Technology

Lee brought such passion, thought, and enthusiasm to the discussion. Our audience was clearly rapt, and many people told me afterwards how much they enjoyed the program . . . Lee is a superb storyteller and can teach anyone how to tell great stories at the same time. We'd be honored to have him back for a future program.

Frances A. Rosenfeld, Ph.D.

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Lee Gutkind for my next event?

To book Lee Gutkind, email lee.gutkind@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Lee's availability and speaking fee. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and about your audience.

What is Lee Gutkind's speaking style like?

Lee Gutkind structures sessions around the use of true, first-person and reported narratives drawn from his own research and writing practice, using these stories to illustrate how narrative technique can shift audience perception and motivate acceptance of ideas.

What topics does Lee Gutkind specialise in?

Lee Gutkind speaks on creative nonfiction writing, mental health and resilience narratives, and the use of storytelling to drive action and acceptance. He is the founder of Creative Nonfiction literary magazine and the author of over 30 books, and currently serves as Writer-in-Residence at Arizona State University.

Does PepTalk charge a booking fee?

No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.

What happens after I send a brief?

Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.

What does the typical fee range mean?

The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.

Have all the speakers on the website worked with PepTalk before?

Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.

How far in advance should I book a speaker?

Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.