testimonials

"Julie Dao’s appearance at LibraryPalooza was fantastic! From her engaging sessions to her timely communications with organizers and her outstanding partnership promoting her appearance at our event made her a dream to work with. Definitely recommend Julie as a partner in creating great literary experiences for readers."

"When Julie visited my students, they were so engaged and excited to meet an author in person! They all left with a keepsake of the visit - their very own signed book! The visit was memorable and inspiring for my young readers and writers!"

"Julie C. Dao is an engaging speaker with a clear passion for writing for all ages. We loved hosting her at our library for teens and adults, for which she was easily able to tailor her presentation to our specific audience needs. She was easy to work with and a polished speaker."

“Julie led and taught at a retreat I attended in Ireland and she was thoughtful, kind and full of knowledge. In both the structured workshops and as a retreat leader, I found her insights completely inspiring. It was an inclusive, creative and utterly memorable experience because of Julie.”

"Julie C. Dao taught a workshop I attended at the Highlights Foundation. She was one of the best instructors I’ve ever had! Her presentations were both informative and entertaining, and she was very fun to talk to as well. Her writing advice still helps me today, years later!"

"I had the pleasure of attending a week-long writing workshop with Julie in Ireland. Julie's sessions on writing craft were engaging, informative, and inspiring! I was able to learn so much from her in such a short time. I would attend another workshop with Julie in a heartbeat!"

"Julie Dao's presentations always infuse our annual middle school Writers Conference with a burst of energy, and her impact is so tremendous that we've eagerly welcomed her back multiple times. Her interactive activities, coupled with her engaging storytelling about her own writing journey provided invaluable insights into the creative process, making her an excellent speaker for any educational setting. I highly recommend her for schools and libraries looking to motivate and enrich their students' understanding of writing and creativity."

"I was fortunate enough to learn from Julie at the Ireland Writer Tour in 2019, and it was a wonderful experience that has stayed with me. Julie is extremely knowledgeable, with a thorough understanding of writing craft and the publishing industry, and she shares her expertise with both enthusiasm and clarity. If her sessions had doubled in length, they still wouldn’t have been long enough—she is that engaging, and I cannot recommend her enough."

"Julie C. Dao captivated our 6th grade students and staff with her storytelling and relatable anecdotes. Students were thoroughly engaged throughout her visit and so invested that, in a heartwarming moment, the students sang “Happy Birthday” to celebrate the release of her new book, which happened to launch on the day of her visit. She was able to connect with the students on a personal level, and she answered their questions with enthusiasm. She left the readers and aspiring writers in the audience motivated and excited about their own creative journeys."

"I had the pleasure of having Julie as a teacher at a 2019 writing retreat in Ireland. Not only were her workshops thoughtful and engaging, but her overall presence was warm, inspiring, and full of encouragement!"

“Perhaps it was a bit of Irish good luck that I had the incredible Julie C. Dao teaching on my first writing retreat in Ireland in 2019! With kindness and good humor, Julie knows how to highlight the best in her students with lively, memorable discussions. Her enthusiasm for story and passion for the craft of writing filled me up with inspiration and encouragement that I’m still feeling today.”