Colleen Paeff is the author of The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London’s Poop Pollution Problem, winner of a Robert F. Sibert Honor Award, a Golden Kite Award for nonfiction text, and a Cook Prize Silver Medal; and Firefly Song: Lynn Frierson Faust and the Great Smoky Mountain Discovery, named a Best Book of 2025 by the New York Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, and BookList, as well as an Outstanding Science Trade Books by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). A lifelong Californian, she received a Bachelor’s Degree in set design for theater from California State University Fullerton, before becoming a bookseller, preschool teacher, and newspaper columnist. (She never did become a set designer!) Eventually, she figured out how to roll books, kids, and writing into a career as a children’s book author, and now she shares her enthusiasm for books and learning by visiting with students both at home and abroad. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

School Visit Presentations – (30min to 45min length per session)

How I Became an Author

Learn how Colleen went from a kid who made up stories in her head to a published author who makes them into books (with lots of help!). She’ll share how she combines research, imagination, and sensory details to create a compelling story. Students will walk away feeling empowered to write and share stories of their own.

The True Story of a Nonfiction Book

Discover how books that tell true stories go from idea to publication, as Colleen shares where she finds ideas, how she researches her subjects, and what her writing processes is like – including the importance of the “stinky” first draft, multiple revisions, and tricking yourself into working when you’d rather be playing.

Resilient Writers Unite!

Resilience is a necessary skill for everyone who hopes to learn anything new – whether they’re learning to ride a bike or write a book. In this presentation, Colleen highlights how the characters in her books (both real and imagined) rely on resilience to accomplish their goals. An interactive discussion of what resilience looks like, what it feels like (not very good!), and how to grow it will leave young writers both inspired and equipped to take on their next writing project.

Read Aloud + Q&A 

An interactive read aloud of one of Colleen’s picture books, followed by a lively question and answer session featuring images and props.

Adult Presentations – (60 min length per session)

From Curious Mom to Award-Winning Author

In this presentation, Colleen shows how many of the skills parents use every day, can be redirected towards becoming a published author. Skills like building community, sharing and researching interesting topics with kids, going on school field trips, and more, can all be put to use when it comes to writing books for children.

Level Up with Layers: Creating an Irresistible Nonfiction Children’s Book

When it comes to nonfiction, a children’s book manuscript needs strong writing, thorough research, and a compelling story. But oftentimes, that’s not enough to land a publishing deal. In this presentation, Colleen shows writers how to add multiple curriculum connections, or layers, to their work, using examples of recently published books.

Breaking into Publishing After Age 50

Colleen shares her journey to publication––with all the starts, stops, wrong turns, and alternate routes along the way––and describes how, the year she turned fifty, she sold her first, of many, manuscripts to a Big Five publisher. Attendees will come away with a roadmap to publishing success, regardless of age.

Kidlit 101: A Beginners Guide to Getting Published

Colleen lays out everything a writer needs to know to become a published author of books for children: how to create and participate in a critique group, how (and when) to get an agent; how to write an irresistible query letter; how to research the children’s book market; how to write a book publishers will want to buy, and more.

Beyond Scrivener: Using Tech to Tame Your Nonfiction Research

Colleen introduces attendees to a variety of tech tools to save time and lessen anxiety for writers who conduct research. From simple tips, like using the Library Extension App, to more complex ones, like using Obsidian to organize highlights from Kindle books, and then creating individual notes, attendees will discover new ways to find information and keep it organized.

Book Talks

While Colleen loves all types of children’s books, she is especially enthusiastic about infrastructure books, books for young naturalists (She is a certified California Naturalist!), and books that take readers around the world. She can introduce your audience to up to 30 exemplary books on any one of those topics!

Testimonials

“Colleen Paeff’s author visit truly brought the magic of writing narrative nonfiction to life for my students…[her] informative and engaging presentation had them captivated and curious.” Cheryl Cleary, 4^th Grade Teacher, Larchmont Charter School

“Colleen’s patience and love shone through as she allowed for the questions at the end. She made the students feel important and sparked their interest to become writers.” Janet Ramdeen, 2^nd Grade Teacher, Franklin Avenue Elementary

“Colleen was engaging and particularly adept at changing her presentation to meet the needs of each age level. She was well-received by both students and teachers!” Dr. Mary Fink, Principal, Bethany Lutheran School

“Ms. Paeff’s discussion about the writing process, including a stinky first draft, lots of revisions and then edits, was exactly what the students’ teacher had been encouraging in her young writers. It really sunk in coming from a published author!” Sarah Gottlieb, Parent, Portola Elementary School Parent

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