Chicago-based speechwriter and ghostwriter Dan Conley has written speeches of every length and form, hundreds of op-eds and scores of book chapters and corporate histories.  But his experience reading and writing about the essays of Michel de Montaigne changed his outlook toward writing profoundly.  His 2012 book “Montaigne’s Ghost Writer” will detail his new philosophy toward the essay form and the application of Montaigne’s worldview to contemporary issues.  He’s also happy to share how Montaigne can make you a better speaker and a thinker who draws attention.