“FIREFLY MOMENTS”  

A VISIT WITH AUTHOR COLEEN PARATORE

 Coleen Paratore broke into children’s publishing with a
bang, selling her first four books to three different publishers in one year. A full-time writer and popular inspirational speaker, Coleen lives in Albany, NY and on Cape Cod, MA, with her husband and three sons.
     

“Writing is my passion.  It is what I love to do.

            After years of working hard at my craft, with a hopeful heart and bull-dog perseverance, I am, today, living my dream.  My wish for my children, for all people, is that they will discover what they love to do and then find a way to share their gifts.

            With an extensive background in public speaking and teaching, I am at ease with groups of all ages and sizes.  Generally, I share my story of becoming an author (with lots of humor and fun props); talk about capturing the “firefly moments” which spark good writing; read from my books; answer questions; sign autographs.   

             In schools, I present one large assembly and then visit grade-level clusters for Q&A or “book chats” so that all students will have the chance to participate. I think the key to getting kids excited about reading and writing is to personally model inspiration and enthusiasm -- the absolute joy of it all.  Fun J  Fun J Fun J

            My fee for a full-day visit is $1,800 (transportation/lodging extra).  A one-hour conference/library presentation or “book-talk” is $400 for a visit during the day, and $500 for an evening session. The sponsoring organization handles book sales.  It is most meaningful for students when they have a chance to purchase and read one or more of my books before the visit.  I will happily autograph.

My Novels (4th-8th grade and up):

* THE WEDDING PLANNER’S DAUGHTER, Simon & Schuster, 2005

*THE CUPID CHRONICLES, Simon & Schuster, 2007   

* MACK MCGINN’S BIG WIN, Simon & Schuster, 2007

* WILLA BY HEART, Simon & Schuster, coming Jan 2008

*KIP CAMPBELL: THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR’S  SON, Simon & Schuster, coming Summer ‘08  

            My Picture Books (all ages):

* 26 BIG THINGS SMALL HANDS DO, Free Spirit Publishing, 2005

* CATCHING THE SUN, illus. by Peter Catalanotto, Charlesbridge, coming Spring ’08                              

* HOW PRUDENCE PROOVIT PROVED THE TRUTH ABOUT FAIRY TALES, Simon&Schuster, 2004

READ ON J WRITE ON J DREAM BIG J

           Coleen

Be Sure to Check out my Books:
 

In the author's words: