Do attendees need to have read the book?

No. The conversation stands on its own and is accessible whether or not participants have read Great Work.

What is the difference between a book talk and a fireside conversation?

A book talk is a 30-minute talk covering the core ideas of Great Work, followed by Q&A to dig deeper. A fireside chat is facilitated by a local host, allowing the conversation to reflect what their specific audience is most curious about.

Can books be offered to attendees at the event?

Yes. If an organizer would like to offer copies of Great Work to attendees, books can be purchased directly from Amanda at a discounted rate. Details can be discussed when planning the event.

Can the talk be done virtually?

Yes. Events are available both in person and virtually.

How long is the event?

Most events run 45 minutes. Book talks include a 30-minute talk followed by 15 minutes for questions. Fireside chats run for approximately 45 minutes and feature interactive discussion facilitated by the host.

Are these events really offered at no cost?

Yes. Book talks and fireside chats are offered at no cost for libraries and community organizations.

How do we request a book talk or fireside conversation?

Email amanda@amandacrowell.com with details about your group, setting, and timing to begin the conversation.

GREAT WORK CHANGES EVERYTHING

Thank You, SEFLIN! 🎉

It was such a pleasure to be with you and talk about the important role libraries play as Centers of Great Work.

I hope our conversation gave you a new way to recognize and celebrate the work you're already doing, along with ideas to help even more people discover and do their Great Work.

Enter your email below to receive the slides from Libraries as Centers of Great Work, presented at SEFLIN in October 2026.

Keep Exploring Great Work

Great Work: Do What Matters Most Without Sacrificing Everything Else explores why meaningful work can be so difficult to pursue and what psychology tells us about how to make progress without sacrificing everything else.

Bookshop.org | Amazon and Kindle | Audiobook

Bring Great Work to Your Community

I'd love to continue the conversation!

I offer one book talk or fireside conversation each month at no cost to libraries and community organizations. I also offer keynotes and workshops for organizations that want to become stronger Centers of Great Work.

If you'd like to explore bringing one of these events to your organization, tell me what you're thinking!

Tell Me About Your Event

FAQ About Free Community Events

No. The conversation stands on its own and is accessible whether or not participants have read Great Work.
A book talk is a 30-minute talk covering the core ideas of Great Work, followed by Q&A to dig deeper.
A fireside chat is facilitated by a local host, allowing the conversation to reflect what their specific audience is most curious about.
Yes. If an organizer would like to offer copies of Great Work to attendees, books can be purchased directly from Amanda at a discounted rate. Details can be discussed when planning the event.
Yes. Events are available both in person and virtually.
Most events run 45 minutes. Book talks include a 30-minute talk followed by 15 minutes for questions. Fireside chats run for approximately 45 minutes and feature interactive discussion facilitated by the host.
Yes. Book talks and fireside chats are offered at no cost to libraries and community organizations. If you have the budget to buy books or pay an honorarium, this is appreciated.
Email amanda@amandacrowell.com with details about your group, setting, and tdate/iming to begin the conversation.

Still have questions? Contact us.

Meet the Author

Dr. Amanda Crowell is a cognitive psychologist, author, and speaker focused on helping people do work that matters without sacrificing everything else. Her work sits at the intersection of psychology, education, and real life, offering grounded frameworks for meaningful work in a demanding world.

She is the author of Great Work and leads conversations, classes, and programs focused on purpose, sustainability, and how ideas move through people and communities.

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