PETER MANDEL

TALKS TO LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS AND GROUPS

 

Peter is a widely-known speaker throughout the U.S. and Canada, appearing at libraries, conferences, retirement homes, writers' groups, and adult-ed programs.  Seminars of his, including "Going to Extremes" and “Write Your Children’s Book (And Get It Published),” are regularly scheduled in Boston, Southern New England, and Washington, DC. 

 

Get in touch with him at the CONTACT page to ask about a speaking engagement or to find out where you can hear him in your area.

 

Known for his humor and lively, interactive style, Peter has a B.A. from Middlebury College and an M.A. from Brown University. He's available to talk to your group on a wide range of topics, including:

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GOING TO EXTREMES: A TRAVEL JOURNALIST'S TOUR OF THE GLOBE'S MOST ADVENTUROUS OUTPOSTS  

An award-winning adventure travel journalist for The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, National Geographic Kids, and The Boston Globe, Peter Mandel hunts his stories and photos in the world's far corners, including Antarctica, India, Egypt, Patagonia, the fjords of Norway, the mountain pathways of Japan, and the deserts of Africa. The author of ten books, Mandel will show slides of his most extreme travel experiences:  surviving a coup in Ecuador, visiting a 'city' of penguins at the South Pole, fishing for piranha on Brazil's Rio Negro, floating in the Goodyear Blimp, sailing on an Arctic icebreaker, camping in the African bush, and kayaking to the Statue of Liberty. He'll deliver the scoop on how travel turns to prose on today's magazine and newspaper pages.

 

CREATING YOUR  BOOK FOR CHILDREN: SHAPE IT, SUBMIT IT, SEE IT IN PRINT

Having a children's book published in today's tough market can seem like an impossible dream. But, in reality, getting your book idea into shape and into print can hinge on just the right advice from a pro. Do you need an agent? Should you connect with an artist? What about self-publishing? In an exclusive one-session workshop, nationally-known children's author Peter Mandel will pass on the info you need to know in order to create a marketable first book and get it into the hands of exactly the right gatekeepers in the publishing world.

 

TRAVEL WRITING FOR FUN (AND PROFIT)

Whether you prefer weekend trips by car, cruises, adventure travel, or visits to cities in the U.S. or abroad, chances are you have plenty to say about where you've stayed, what you've seen, and where you've eaten.  A regular contributor to the travel sections of The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Huffington Post, author Peter Mandel will show you how to turn your travel experiences and favorite destinations into easy-to-compose blogs--and articles with photos--that you can sell to newspapers, magazines and websites. 

 

 

VISITS TO SCHOOLS

 

In addition to speaking to adults, Peter visits elementary, middle and high schools throughout the United States, Canada, and overseas—including the American School in Paris, the International School of Luxembourg, and the International School of Stuttgart.  He's lectured onboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norway  and Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 during an Atlantic crossing. 

 

Peter is available to make presentations on the following topics, and many others.  He will adapt his presentation to meet your school’s needs and preferences.

 

How a Book Is Made

During this presentation, Peter gives students the inside scoop on the book publishing process—how books are written, illustrated, edited, printed, bound, and sold in stores. What makes a book a book, and how can students get involved in working on one?

 

Newspaper, Book, and Magazine Writing

Is journalism just a job? Peter talks to students about launching and pursuing a writing career and about the ways different kinds of writing (and photography) can take you places that few people have a chance to go.

 

Wild Adventure on White Paper 

Peter talks about his experiences as a travel writer who turns adventure into text and photos. He takes students along on some of his more unusual adventures, which include kayaking to the Statue of Liberty, riding in a Goodyear blimp, watching polar bears and penguins in the wild, playing baseball with major leaguers, and trekking through the tropical jungle.

 

 

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING...

 

“Mr. Mandel’s message to children is timeless. The students connect with him, they know that he is listening to their thoughts, and they open up to him.”
—Janice Griffin, Assistant Director and Youth Services Librarian, Tiverton Library, Tiverton, RI

 

“Peter is versatile, being a journalist, a published author, a cat and baseball fan—he tailored his talks to our K–5 students to meet their curriculum needs.”
—Meg Seaver, Librarian, American School of Paris, St. Cloud, France

 

“Mr. Mandel is an excellent presenter. His work reflects a nice balance of insights, humor, and command of his subject matter.”
—William O’Hara, President Emeritus, Bryant University, Smithfield, RI

 

“Peter is professional, well-prepared, and informative. He handles all size groups with ease and excitement. I trust Peter in all situations from lecture, seminars, and workshops, to keynote addresses.”
—Kathy Brady-Romanelli, Learning Connection, Providence, RI

 

“Peter has handled every class with finesse, talent, skill, and a great attitude.”
—Debra Leopold, President, First Class, Inc., Washington, DC