Kristin Owens, PhD is an award-winning educator and writer located in the United States. She's a contributor for prestigious magazines such as Denver's 5280 and Wine Enthusiast. Her personal essays have appeared in Writer's Digest, Women Writers-Women’s Books, and Writer Unboxed. Dr. Owens won Honorable Mention for the 2018 New Millennium Writing Awards, was a finalist for the 2019 New Letters’ award in nonfiction, and her work is included in the award-winning 2020 Colorado Book of the Year, RISE! Her debut novel, ELIZABETH SAILS, launches in 2024 with Rising Action Publishing.

With certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers and Cicerone, Dr. Owens travels the world writing and presenting on wonderful wines, beautiful beers, and sexy spirits. Her high-energy libation presentations educate passengers on all-things-alcohol while encouraging local tastes and flavors found on the itinerary. Her literary enrichments present books and publishing in an engaging and approachable way. As a workshop host, she offers writing memoir, travel journals, flash fiction, novels, and publishing classes. She motivates new writers to stick with it!

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ENRICHMENT TALKS - literature

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WHY WE ADORE TRAVEL STORIES
Travelers love to experience new cultures, food, and locales. Discover how popular authors keep readers coming back for more adventures.

PUBLISHING 101
Learn about traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing options, and the pros and cons of each.

STORIES FOR SEA LOVERS
The ocean provides awe-inspiring backdrops for memorable stories. Learn how new and classic books utilize the sea as a character and plot device.

THE BIRTH OF A BOOK
Learn all the steps (and why it takes years) from a story's conception to successfully landing on a bookstore shelf.

MEMORABLE MEMOIRS
Everyone has a story. Discover the elements of best-selling memoirs and why they resonate with readers.

HOW BOOKS BECOME BEST SELLERS
Learn how the New York Times and prestigious book clubs determine best-selling books

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ENRICHMENT TALKS – libations

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I work with your restaurant staff to pair sea-day dinner menus with your wine/beer lists. I'm also available to lead or assist with tastings.

WINE 101
Learn about wine basics, varietals, and the processes used to produce terrific reds, whites, and sparklers

PRACTICAL WINE KNOW-HOW
From sipping to storing, learn the fundamentals of tasting, buying, and entertaining with wine

GLOBAL BEER
Discover the history, traditions, and iconic styles of the world’s great brewing countries.

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WINE
Dive into the great international wine regions and how they distinguish themselves with terroir and traditions

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WORKSHOPS – writing

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FIRE UP A WRITING PRACTICE
Get those creative juices flowing with helpful writing prompts guaranteed to produce words on paper

ELEVATE YOUR TRAVEL JOURNAL
Discover fun writing tools to enhance memories of favorite locations and adventures

ALL ABOUT THE SENSES
Learn the power of description to amplify surroundings and experiences using the five senses

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Apply seven steps to edit everything from plot structure to sentence-level grammar

STEP-BY-STEP NOVEL WRITING
Learn fundamentals to get your story draft on the page, including a personalized game plan

CHARACTERS COUNT
Get to know your cast of fictional characters with interviews, worksheets, and what-if scenarios

FICTION IN A FLASH
Write a story in 500 words using all the elements found in a full-length novel

JUMPSTART YOUR MEMOIR
Use micro memoirs (succinct nonfiction storytelling) to build your life story chapter by chapter

BUILD YOUR WRITING NETWORK
Discover how critique groups and writing partners not only help with craft but motivation too

STOP PROCRASTINATING AND WRITE THAT BOOK
Uncover the top ten reasons why most people never write or fail to complete their book

WRITING FOR MAGAZINES
Use your subject matter expertise to pitch, submit and contract freelance work with magazines

CRAFTING THE PERSONAL ESSAY
Try this creative option and how it can be as rewarding as writing a book, just in fewer words

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CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS (AGES 8-15) - writing

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WRITE YOUR TRAVEL STORY
Outline and fill in the blank spots to develop a full-fledged narrative tale about your time at sea

ALL ABOUT THE SENSES
Learn the power of description using the five senses to describe surroundings and experiences

HOW DO I BECOME A WRITER?
Get the creative juices flowing with short writing prompts to get your thoughts down on paper

I present enrichment lectures on literature and publishing, beer and wine (Princess and Celebrity). My high-energy presentations garner sea-day followings and positive passenger interactions. I'm also a workshop host for writing sessions - perfect for longer, intensive sea-day voyages. Recently I was a workshop host for Viking's 2024 World Cruise. I'm thrilled to be bringing my education skills to sea!

I am located in Florida, easily accessible to Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Miami ports.

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.