Endorsements

With a combined 20,000 hours of teaching, workshop leadership, broadcasting, and speaking in front of organisations, conventions, conferences, TEDx Edmonton, and crowds in the tens of thousands, Minister Faust creates the ideal mixture of the humourous, wise, technical, and inspirational.

Contact him regarding topics for workshops, speeches, and keynote addresses, and rates, availability, and travel plans.

GUY SMITH | President, Alberta Union of Provincial Employees

“Minister Faust was brilliant. He shared his expertise on everything from media relations to public speaking with AUPE’s newly-elected executive. His exercises were focused on our organization’s unique needs and were done with humour, knowledge and professionalism. I would definitely recommend his services."

JENNIFER COCKRALL-KING | Freelance writer; Presenter, Get Publishing/At the Edge of Print

"Minister Faust was everything you could want in a keynote speaker. He was engaging, provocative, informed, funny, entertaining, and educational. Following his Saturday morning keynote address, the buzz for the rest of the 2011 At the Edge of Print conference day was about his presentation.

"When Minister Faust takes on the established publishing model versus self-publishing, he asks (and answers) the questions that gnaw at every writer. And he makes a compelling case for at least evaluating why writers should consider taking their careers into their own hands, from self-publishing to creating their own book trailers."

ROBERT J. SAWYER | Award-winning author of Hominids

"With his background in education, his wonderfully outgoing and warm personality, and his keen, insightful mind, Minister Faust is a national treasure, a living embodiment of all the things that make Canadian literature worth reading: our diversity and multiculturalism, our innovations in style and voice, and our satiric, fresh perspective."

THOMAS TROFIMUK | Award-winning author of Waiting for Columbus

"As festival director, I booked Minister Faust at the Roar Spoken Word Festival 2006, as one of four featured performers at an event called the ROAR Gala. I have no hesitation in saying that Minister Faust was the stand-out. His performance, his voice, and his talent were head-and-shoulders above anything I heard at our gala. In fact, his performance was a highlight of the three-day festival.

"His mellifluous voice and the power of his writing make for a profound combination! When he read, the entire audience was drawn into his stories--we were captured, enthralled, surprised and thoroughly entertained. He is a charming, profoundly articulate, and professional performer. I have nothing but the highest praise for his talent, and his performance. It was a remarkable show that people who were there are still talking about. I would book him again in a heartbeat."

COLLEEN SKIDMORE | Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Academic)University of Alberta

"We thank Minister Faust for hosting the Festival of Teaching Spots at the fifth annual Festival of Teaching, and especially for his inspiring and challenging comments that crowned the event. The imagery he used to describe excellent versus poor teaching and their impact on students will not soon be forgotten."

ORION USSNER KIDDER | Comics Festival Curator, Popular Print Cultures Conference, University of Alberta

"After hearing Minister Faust speak at another event and subsequently reading his second novel, I eagerly sought out his participation in the Popular Print Cultures Comics Festival, knowing that he was very interested in topic of the day: forming communities around popular culture.

"His presentation was fascinating and complex, but also clear and inviting. Minister Faust comfortably moves from strategies of political activism to keen analysis of popular entertainment, and does so without talking down or 'lecturing' at his audience. Listening to him speak, one feels like a welcome participant in his project, not a blameworthy outsider. His panel was the highlight of the festival, for me."

CHRISTOPHER GRIGNARD | MC of the Artists' Gala, Narratives of Citizenship Conference, 2007 University of Alberta

"Minister Faust's critical references struck many familiar chords of understanding and harmony within our out-of-town guests. Clearly, his groove is a demonstration of the bridge that can be built between artists and academics."

BRIAN McCOSH | Co-Chair, Edmonton Events Committee, Alberta Association, Canadian Institute of Planners

"It was a pleasure to have Minister Faust speak at our luncheon. His intelligent, original commentary on urban planning engaged and inspired our members (one was even moved to poetry). He showed us humour, passion and commitment. He coined phrases and put words to unresolved frustrations. Minister Faust reminded us of our own importance. He exceeded high expectations and made it an event to remember. Book him for yours!"

ALOYS FLEISCHMANN | Co-Chair, Narratives of Citizenship Conference 2007, University of Alberta

"Minister Faust was a featured performer at the Artists' Gala of our international conference, Narratives of Citizenship. I was astounded by the felicity with which he managed to switch between lively, raucous readings of his comic work and sober, detailed and inspiring political commentary, all without missing a beat. I can't recommend him highly enough."

GAIL SIDONIE SOBAT | Author, The Book of Mary, Creator/coordinator of YouthWrite and WordsWorth camps for kids who love to write

"Minister Faust is an eloquent presenter and workshop facilitator. Actor, orator, storyteller, he captivates his audience, leaving listeners spellbound. Whether mentoring young people or adults, Minister Faust perfectly aims his delivery and is earnest in his efforts to inspire and encourage. Knowledgeable, witty, and engaged, Minister Faust promotes creative exploration of the written word."

NANCY MacDONALD | Associate, Urban Land, Stantec

"Minister Faust was a guest speaker at the October luncheon meeting of the Alberta Association of the Canadian Institute of Planner (AACIP). He passionately described some of the urban issues and challenges that planners, city builders and urban designer's all face in developing communities and neighbourhoods. He captured the diverse and detailed characteristics of the urban fabric and related this to creating better urban places.

"Minister Faust is a skilled orator, using a passionate and lively narrative to captivate his audience. He has a clear understanding of urban places and the cultural opportunities they present, and he eloquently translated this vision into words for his audience. His thought-provoking visual descriptions of Edmonton provided everyone listening with the opportunity to contemplate and ponder the marvelous possibilities waiting right in front of us. He created a completely enjoyable and enlightening experience."

JANET KUPERUS | Anti-Racism Project Lead, NorQuest College, Edmonton, Alberta

"I've had occasion to hear Minister Faust speak on several occasions; most recently he presented the keynote address at our March 21 Anti-racism event at NorQuest College. Minister Faust is an animated and passionate speaker, who presents a considered and thoughtful message in a way that engages and holds the attention of the listener.

"I was especially impressed with the way Minister Faust adjusted the language level of his message to reach the audience of mainly ESL students, showing that he is indeed a practiced and gifted orator, able to communicate clearly in diverse situations. I highly recommend Minister Faust as a speaker."

KELSEY EVERTON | Programme Coordinator, Writers Guild of Alberta

"Minister Faust graciously agreed to speak to a group of writers at a WGA event on the topic of 'the writing life.' Minister Faust came well-prepared with an array of advice and tips for writers, including a ton of information on writing techniques, courses, query letters, agents, and much more.

"He was an extremely engaging and personable speaker, and he fielded questions from the audience thoughtfully and helpfully. Minister Faust was also recently one of our Blue Pencil Café authors, and met with several aspiring and emerging writers to offer on-the-spot feedback and give insight into the writing life."

CHERYL MAHAFFY | Chair, Writing Across Borders President, Get Publishing Communications Society

"All eyes and ears were directed forward - not a lagging moment! We would look forward to having him join us again."