Jan Eliot

Creator of the Internationally Syndicated Comic Strip

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Eugene, Oregon, United States

Jan Eliot
Biography

Jan Eliot began cartooning as a form of self-defense when she was a single mom trying to raise two daughters, stay fully employed, pay the bills and still have a little fun once in a while. She discovered that cartooning gave her the opportunity to laugh at adversity, vent her frustrations and find humor in being short of money, short of time and short of patience. Not coincidentally, Jan Eliot's original comic strip was called "Patience and Sarah" and featured a single mom (Patience) and her daughter. It ran for five years in 10 weekly and monthly papers.

While working as a copywriter and graphic designer, Jan continued cartooning and developed a second strip called "Sister City," which ran weekly in the Eugene, Ore., Register-Guard for five years. Jan Eliot's cartoons have been reprinted in many humor collections, magazines, computer manuals and parenting books. Jan has also published greeting cards with Maineline Press, Umbrella Press and Marcel Schurman.

In 1995, under the new name of "Stone Soup," Jan's comic strip was nationally syndicated. Jan Elliot promptly quit her job to become a full-time cartoonist and with the quick success of "Stone Soup," she has had no regrets. Closely based on her own life and the lives of her unsuspecting friends, "Stone Soup" focuses on human relationships and the modern family. As Jim Borgman, one of the creators of the syndicated cartoon "Zits" described it, "Reading Stone Soup is like an evening spent sharing stories with good friends until you've laughed yourself back to a reasonable perspective on life."

Stone Soup runs in over 200 newspapers in 9 countries, and there are six book collections in print. The latest, "Deperate Households", is being released by Andrews McMeel in April, 2007.

Jan Eliot is one of only a handful of syndicated cartoonists. Out of 250 syndicated comic strips, only about 10 are done by women.

Jan Eliot
Featured Keynote Program

Programs include:

Programs include:

• Publishing and syndication

• Succeeding Against the Odds

• Surviving Criticism and Rejection

• Gender Equity (or Lack of It) in the Funny Pages and In The History of Cartooning

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to some of the most common questions about booking Jan Eliot for your event.

How do I book Jan Eliot for my event?

Booking Jan Eliot with Premiere Speakers Bureau is a streamlined 4-step process:

Availability Check: Contact us with your event date and budget to verify if your desired speaker is available.
Hold Date: We place a temporary "hold" on the speaker's calendar while you finalize internal approval.
Contracting: We issue a contract outlining the fee, cancellation policy, and event expectations.
Logistics: Once signed, our event management team handles all travel booking, itinerary, and AV requirements.

Why should I partner with Premiere Speakers Bureau rather than contacting speakers directly?

Partnering with Premiere Speakers Bureau provides a comprehensive safety net for your event that direct booking cannot match. You get the same speaker for the same price, but with a dedicated team with over 30 years of event experience handling contracts, logistics, and are prepared for any emergency. We know what it takes to run an excellent event.

What makes Premiere Speakers Bureau unique compared to other agencies?

Premiere Speakers Bureau distinguishes itself by having over 30 years of experience while partnering with more than 35,000 events. PSB has also built a streamlined, fully online process that makes booking a speaker, handling travel and payments extremely easy for anyone looking to plan a speaker led event.

How does Premiere Speakers Bureau's 'Zero Cost Service' model work?

Premiere Speakers Bureau operates on a 'Zero Cost Service' model for event planners. Our services—including research, booking, and logistics—are always free to the client. The speaker covers our commission from their standard honorarium as payment for our role in marketing and managing their engagements.

How are speaker fees structured, and what is typically included?

A speaker's fee typically covers the keynote presentation, a pre-event planning call, and standard customization. Travel expenses are usually billed separately.

What are the standard policies for speaker travel and expenses?

Travel expenses are negotiated during contracting. We generally recommend a flat travel fee for simplicity, though we also offer line-by-line invoicing when preferred. PSB ensures these expenses adhere to professional standards, and our Event Portal allows for easy tracking and invoicing.