Speaking topics

No speaking engagements planned in 2024 in order to work on writing projects. Thank you!

Regional history and writing topics

David Healey has given talks on historical and writing topics at Fort McHenry, St. Mary’s College, Opsail, the Baltimore Book Festival, the Chesapeake Folk Festival, the Chestertown Book Festival, libraries, and community groups. Please contact him at david@davidhealeyauthor.com if you would be interested in having him as a speaker.

Speaking Topics

Heroes & Villains of 1812. This talk offers an overview of the War of 1812 in the northern Chesapeake Bay, with a special focus on the personalities of the conflict, including Kitty Knight, Joshua Barney, John O’Neill, and Admiral Cockburn.

Delmarva Legends & Lore. Did you know about the Marylander who fought a fatal duel with Andrew Jackson? Or how shipwrecked explorers on Assateague Island resorted to cannibalism? This talk offers a look at the sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic history of the Delmarva Peninsula—the land between the bays.

Civil War Legends & Lore. Maryland was a region of divided loyalties during the Civil War era, which gave rise to spies, bitter politics and desperate actions. Learn about the Maryland woman who was Lincoln’s secret cabinet member, the slave catcher who almost got the war off to an early start, and enduring legends such as the “caveman of the Civil War.”

Great Storms of the Chesapeake. In the last four centuries, the Chesapeake Bay region has experienced legendary hurricanes, gales, blizzards, fogs, and freezes. Learn the stories behind this stormy weather and how it forever changed the lives of Marylanders and in some cases, changed the course of history.

First Lines: Getting Started with Your Creative Writing Project. Sometimes you want to start writing a novel, short story or memoir, but don’t know where to begin or what to do with your completed manuscript. This motivational talk and workshop introduces writers to techniques to get them started and offers tips on the publishing process from finding an agent to creating an ebook.

Previous speaking engagements:

Bayside Resort, Fenwick Island, Del.

ThrillerFest 2015 & 2016 Panelist, New York City

International Thriller Writers Online Panelist

OpSail 2012 Norfolk, Va.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Chaney Visiting Scholar in American History, Spring 2011

Harford County Public Library

Cecil County Public Library

Kent County Public Library

Downrigging Weekend

Lions Clubs

Cecil County Retired Classroom Teachers Association

Cecilton Seniors

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Fort McHenry National Military Park

Chestertown History Day

Chestertown Book Festival

Historical Society of Cecil County, Md.

Historical Society of Talbot County, Md.

Historical Society of Kent County, Md.

Sons of Confederate Veterans

Cecil College

Washington College

Baltimore Book Festival

Civil War Expo

Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, Havre de Grace, Md.

Elk River Yacht Club