Sam Quinones: Investigative Journalist

Quick Facts:

  • Highlights:
Reading time: 2 min
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000

Talent Services

Investigative journalist Sam Quinones is the best-selling author of Dreamland, the eye-opening chronicle of the causes underlying the American opioid crisis. Quinones’ work brought national attention to the topic, helping to breaking the silence and stigma surrounding the epidemic.

Dreamland was honored as one of the best books of the year by Amazon.com, Slate.com, the Daily Beast, Buzzfeed, the Seattle Times, the Boston GlobeEntertainment Weekly, Audible, as well as the Wall Street Journal and .

Quinones has been a reporter for over 30 years. He spent 10 years living and working as a freelance writer in Mexico, where he specialized on immigration, drug trafficking, and gangs. His first two books – True Tales From Another Mexico: The Lynch Mob, the Popsicle Kings, Chalino and the Bronx and Antonio’s Gun and Delfino’s Dream: True Tales of Mexican Migration – gave a voice to marginalized Mexican populations and are considered cult classics.

Sam Quinones

Quinones wrote for the LA Times for 10 years. He is currently back to freelancing and frequently contributes to National GeographicPacific Standard Magazine, the New York Times, and Los Angeles Magazine.

Sam Quinones is a journalist, storyteller, former LA Times reporter, and author of three acclaimed books of narrative nonfiction.

His most recent book is Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic by Bloomsbury Press.

His career as a journalist has spanned almost 30 years. He lived for 10 years as a freelance writer in Mexico, where he wrote his first two books. In 2004, he returned to the United States to work for the L.A. Times, covering immigration, drug trafficking, neighborhood stories, and gangs.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

No reviews available for this post.

Was this profile helpful?

Talent FAQ's

Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.

Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.

The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.

Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.

Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.

  • Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
  • There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
  • Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
  • When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
  • Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
  • Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
  • Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.

Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!

You may be interested in...

  • (104)
Aileen Lee

Aileen Lee is the founder of Cowboy Ventures. She partners at the earliest stages with enterprise and consumer-oriented startup teams to build products customers love, and to help teams build aspirational companies. She has over two decades of experience starting at seed stage and staying involved for many years beyond. Prior to Cowboy, Aileen spent […]

  • Travels from: Palo Alto, CA
  • Innovation Speakers
  • (17)

Ken Okel understands the importance of performing at a high level every day, having worked in broadcast news. Today, as a motivational keynote speaker, audiences enjoy his creative solutions to their problems. (WPBF, WSPA, WSIL, KAET, and the Cable Ace Award Winning Fort Collins Evening News), hurricane relief (Wilma, Frances, and Jean), and professional ballet (not a […]

  • Travels from: Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Event Emcee
  • (88)
Ashley Stahl

Ashley Stahl is a counterterrorism professional, an international bestselling author, a spokesperson for SoFi, and an advisor for (IBM, Caterpillar) and expert on intuition, personal branding, and fulfillment. Daymond John (Shark Tank, Fubu, NYT bestselling author) says Ashley’s bestseller “You Turn: Get Unstuck, Discover Your Direction, Design Your Dream Career”, is “the ultimate guide to discover […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Empowerment Speakers
  • (92)
Jon Taffer

Most people know Jon Taffer as a larger-than-life television personality who takes a no-holds-barred approach to helping hotels, restaurants, bars and businesses reach their full potential. He is also a New York Times best-selling author, a highly sought-after hospitality and general business consultant, and is the creator, executive producer and star of Paramount Network’s hit show, Bar Rescue. […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (23)
  • (8)
Jones Loflin

Jones Loflin is a dynamic keynote speaker, leadership expert, and productivity coach who has spent over 25 years helping organizations and individuals navigate the challenges of leadership, change management, and productivity. With a career spanning multiple industries, including education, business consulting, and leadership development, Jones has empowered countless leaders to confidently lead their teams, foster […]

  • Travels from: Charlotte, NC
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (24)

Dr. Scott Parazynski is a highly decorated physician, astronaut, best-selling author (“The Sky Below”) and tech CEO. He is a widely sought after keynote speaker on innovation, risk management, mentorship and leadership under extreme adversity. Scott has lived and traveled all over the world, spending many of his grade school years in places such as […]

  • Travels from: Houston, TX
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (15)
  • (5)
Marcus Collins

Dr. Marcus Collins is an award-winning marketer, cultural translator, and best-selling author who has spent his career translating culture for brands and translating brands for culture. He currently serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing at Ross School of Business, University of Michigan and as a regular contributor to Forbes, where he writes about subjects ranging from […]

  • Travels from: Ann Arbor, MI
  • Culture Speakers
  • (78)
  • (5)
Tim Urban

Tim Urban, a master of unraveling the intricate tapestry of modern life, offers audiences around the globe insights into leadership, technology, artificial intelligence, creativity, innovation, and the human experience. His unique ability to clarify complex subjects with humor and relatable examples has made him a beloved figure and a sought-after speaker at conferences, corporate events, […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Motivational Speakers
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2026.  Designed using Voxel

AI Assistant
Speakers Inc Logo 2024
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.