On writing, freedom, and the courage to become

A smoothie of insight and motivation. A talk so full of takeaways that emerging writers will leave itching to get back to their keyboards. Clear structure, vivid examples, and storytelling woven throughout. The number of tips can be expanded on request.

Writing a book is genuinely hard. It becomes a great deal easier with a roadmap: idea — first draft — editing — beta readers — submission to a publisher — contract — publication. But how do you actually succeed at each stage? What do you do to avoid the classic mistakes and not lose months to wrong turns? That's exactly what this talk is about.

A talk that dismantles one of the most persistent — and damaging — myths about writing: the idea that great prose flows naturally from talented writers fully formed. By the end, the audience will have no doubt that they are capable of writing brilliantly, even if their first drafts are sparse and lifeless. Ekaterina will also show how celebrated authors wrote and revised, how many layers of editing lie behind the works we call masterpieces, and how she edits her own writing today — including with the latest technology.

Ekaterina has moved from country to country five times and knows firsthand what the challenges of emigration feel like. Her book Europe Within Me is devoted to exactly that. She's also been in therapy for over a decade — and that work gives her perspective on cultural difference a rare depth. You could have a fascinating conversation about the creative, independent life of a writer and entrepreneur living abroad.

How do you build a circle of people who truly feel like yours? How do you meet them, deepen connection, and not lose it in the noise of everyday life? This talk offers practical, realistic ways to create a circle of support, closeness, and belonging — even when you’re busy, even when you’ve moved countries, even when it feels “too late.” And a surprising truth: friendship can actually get easier with age.

For those in transition. For those who feel they’ve outgrown their old life — but haven’t fully arrived in the new one yet. This talk is about navigating that in-between space: how to recognize where you’re truly drawn, where to find your next environment, and how to enter it without overwhelm. And most importantly — how to stay interesting, engaged, and alive as you grow into something bigger.

A psychologically grounded talk that dismantles the myths about writing that block your creative flow.
Why does the text in your head feel so different from what ends up on the page? Is that normal? Can your writing really change anything? What if you don’t take your writing seriously, don’t write enough, struggle with impostor syndrome, or keep procrastinating?

From a participant’s feedback:
“Now, when my inner critic says, ‘Who do you think you are to write?’, I answer, ‘And who do I think I am not to?’”

In a busy adult life, “finding time” for creativity rarely works. Creating it — does. This talk is practical and grounded: how to protect your focus, how to stop your time from dissolving into messages and obligations, and how to reach that deeper state where real work happens. No rigid formulas — just clear strategies you can adapt to your own rhythm, temperament, and life.

Contrary to popular belief, planning doesn’t kill creativity — it gives it direction. In other words, it helps.
As long as we’re not talking about rigid corporate planning with SMART goals and strict KPIs, but a more flexible, intuitive, and personal approach.

Good creative planning reconnects you with what matters — your meaning, your sense of purpose, your “why.” And that, in turn, makes you happier.

A deeply personal talk by Ekaterina, who has relocated four times and written a bestselling book about it. A candid exploration of challenges, identity, and creative decisions. A story that proves: when told well, the personal becomes universal. Expect depth, reflection, and insights your audience will carry with them.

They say publishers only respond to insiders. They say they don’t respond at all. They say you have to pay to get published.

In reality, publishers are actively looking for strong, distinctive voices. Yes, they receive dozens of submissions every day — but many are rejected simply because they’re presented poorly and raise too many doubts.

A fair warning: apply what you learn in this talk, and you might hear this from a publisher: “Please don’t send this to anyone else. We’re publishing it.”

Impostor syndrome is so common in creative work, it’s surprising there’s no vaccine for it yet. Ekaterina has helped hundreds of writers overcome this limiting belief — with clarity, authority, and care. This talk helps your audience redirect their energy: away from self-doubt, and back into writing.

This talk explores a different kind of business — one not built on competition, constant striving, or the need to be first. Instead, it’s grounded in other values: freedom, creativity, alignment, and balance. Your audience will leave with a fresh perspective on their work, a deeper connection to themselves, and practical ideas they can apply right away — ideas that actually make a difference.