Appearances

To arrange a speaking engagement, please contact Dawn Stuart at Books in Common.

2024

What the Chicken Knows book cover
Coming this November

Fall 2024

Wednesday, Sept 18
Montpelier, VT
Bear Pond Books
78 Main St
7 p.m.
Sy and wildlife artist Matt Patterson will be speaking about their new paperback, Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell. Books will be available for sale and signing afterwards.

Wednesday, October 2
Plainville, MA
An Unlikely Story Bookshop
111 South Street
6:30 p.m.
Sy and wildlife artist Matt Patterson will be speaking and showing images from their new paperback, Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell. Books will be available for sale and signing afterwards.
This is a ticketed event. Sign up here:

Thursday, October 3
Cambridge, MA
Harvard Bookstore
1256 Mass Ave
7 p.m.
Sy and wildlife artist Matt Patterson will be speaking and showing images from their new paperback, Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell. Books will be available for sale and signing afterwards.

Monday October 7
Lafayette, CO
Layfayette Public Library
775 Baseline
6:30 p.m.
Sy will be speaking about and sharing images from her book, The Hawk’s Way, with a Q and A and book signing afterwards

Tuesday, October 8
Longmont, CO
Longmont Public Library
Sy will be speaking about and sharing images from her work as the author of nearly 40 books on animals and nature for adults and children.
4-5 p.m. A special program just for kids
7-9 p.m. A program suitable for older children and adults.
Register here.

Saturday, October 12
Peterborough, NH
The Toadstool Bookshop
12 Depot Rd
11 a.m.
Sy will be introducing her friend Vanessa Chakour—a naturalist, herbalist, and former pro boxer, as well as the author of the fabulous new memoir of rewilding, Earthly Bodies: Embracing our Animal Nature. Vanessa will give a talk on her book and sign copies afterwards.

Thursday, October 17
Danville, CA
Rakestraw Books
3 Railroad Ave
Time TBA
Sy and wildlife artist Matt Patterson will be speaking and showing images from their new paperback, Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell. Books will be available for sale and signing afterwards.

Friday, October 18
San Francisco, CA
Turtle Survival Alliance benefit: Drink Beer, Save Turtles!
United Irish Cultural Center
2700 45th Avenue
Sy and Matt will present images and stories from their book Of Time and Turtles as part of a popular TSA fundraiser!
Here’s how to get tickets, which include a signed book.
If you can’t make it, this site will also let you purchase a signed book only for a lesser price.
6 p.m. doors and bar open
7 p.m. presentation
Your purchase benefits Turtle Survival Alliance, which protects endangered turtles around the world.

Wednesday, October 23
Duxbury, MA
Duxbury Senior Center
10 Mayflower St
Sy and wildlife artist Matt Patterson will be speaking and showing images from their new paperback, Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell. Books will be available for sale and signing afterwards.
Talk is free; lunch is $15. Please register here.

Thursday, October 24
Concord, NH
2 Delta Dr.
Women’s Summit
Sy will be the opening speaker for the first Women’s Summit since covid.
The theme is “The Power of HerStory.”
Registration begins at 12:30; conference starts at 1 pm. Sy is the first speaker
Books will be available for sale and signing after the presentation.
Sign up here

Monday, November 4
Hancock NH
Harris Center for Conservation Education
King’s Highway
5 p.m.
Come celebrate publication of Sy’s new book What the Chicken Knows, featuring Hancock neighbors both avian and human, the day before the book’s official pub date.

Wednesday, November 6
Somerville, MA
Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
7 p.m.
Sy will be interviewed by GBH radio’s dynamic duo, Jim Braude & Margery Egan,about her new book, What the Chicken Knows, with book signing afterwards. Sign up here.

Thursday, November 7
Concord, NH
Gibson’s Bookstore
45 Main St
6:30 p.m.
Sy will be speaking about her new book, What the Chicken Knows, with book signing afterwards.

Saturday, November 9
Peterborough, NH
Toadstool Bookshop
11 a.m.
Sy will be speaking about her new book on chickens, with book signing afterwards.

Later that day: Saturday, November 9
Nashua, NH
Balin Books
375 Amherst St., Route 101A
2 p.m.
Sy visits old friends, ace booksellers Willard & Holly Williams. She’ll read from What the Chicken Knows.

Tuesday, November 12
Harrisville, NH
Harrisville General Store
29 Church St
6:30 p.m.
Sy will be speaking about her new book on chickens, with book signing afterwards.

Saturday, November 16
Cambridge, Ma.
Planet Action at MIT
MIT Artificial Intelligence Building
32 Vassar Street
Sy will be the opening speaker for this all-day TEDx event, starting at
9 a.m.
Book sale and signing after the morning session concludes.
Check out the other speakers and register here.

Wednesday, November 20
Boston, MA
Lowell Humanities Series at Boston College
Gasson Hall
Boston College
Sy will be delivering the public lecture on her life as an author and adventurer, showing images from her international journeys.
7 p.m.

Thursday, November 21-23
Boston, MA
With wildlife artist Matt Patterson, Sy will be making an appearance at the National Council of Teachers of English annual convention, at some point during its conference. More info to come!

Wednesday, Dec. 18
Virtual
Smithsonian Associates
Smithsonian Institution
6:45 p.m.
In a virtual presentation Illustrated by glorious slides of images by photographer Tia Stromback, Sy will be discussing what she learned researching her new book, What the Chicken Knows.
Sign up here

PAST EVENTS
Thursday, February 8-Friday, February 10
Los Angeles, CA
National Television Critics Association
Sy will be part of a press tour—along with octopus scientist Alex Schnell and cameraman extraordinaire Adam Geiger–discussing her forthcoming book with National Geographic, Secrets of the Octopus, which will be a companion to the TV series of the same name. The event isn’t open to the public. But stay tuned for the May issue of National Geographic magazine for an excerpt!

Tuesday, February 13
Cincinnati, OH
Duke Energy Convention Center
Sy will be signing galleys of her forthcoming book, Secrets of the Octopus, at American Bookseller’s Association’s Winter Institute where new books are debuted.
Find info on the event here: https://www.bookweb.org/wi2024/aba-winter-institute-2024

Saturday, February 17
Savannah, GA
Savannah Book Festival
Sy and Matt will be taking part in this great regional festival and presenting images and stories from their bestselling book, Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell.
Cultural Arts Center
201 Montgomery Street
11:40 a.m.-12:35
More info about the festival here: https://www.savannahbookfestival.org/events/

Wednesday, February 21
Concord, NH
Gibson’s Bookstore
45 Main Street
Sy will interview her friend, the author Leila Philip, about her book Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America. Both authors will sign their books afterwards.
6:30 p.m.

March 19: PUB DATE for TWO new books:
Secrets of the Octopus
and
Brave Baby Hummingbird (a picture book for very young readers)

Saturday, March 23
Peterborough, NH
Toadstool Bookshop
11 a.m.
Sy will be reading from, discussing and signing her new books, Secrets of the Octopus, and Brave Baby Hummingbird. Books will be available for sale and signing.

Thursday, March 28
Mystic, CT
Mystic Aquarium
55 Coogan Blvd.
With Warren Carlysle, founder of the international octopus fan club OctoNation, Sy will be showing images from and discussing her new octopus book. Warren authored the “octo profiles” throughout the new book, which is published by National Geographic in concert with a 4-part TV series of the same name debuting this month. Books authors will happily sign and personalize books afterwards.
This will be an evening program. Pre-register here.

Monday, April 1
New York City, NY
Yale Club
Sy and Matt, the turtle artist extraordinaire, will be in town to receive a national award from the Burroughs Association. Tickets are for sale here.

Wednesday April 3
Aquarium of the Pacific
Long Beach, CA
100 Aquarium Way
With OctoNation founder Warren Carlysle, Sy will deliver an illustrated talk about her new book, Secrets of the Octopus.
Details TBA

Monday and Tuesday, April 22-23
Stoughton, MA
Stoughton has selected Sy’s book The Soul of an Octopus (and its companion books for children) as an all-town read—and will be hosting both Sy and Matt the next day to talk about their turtle books!  Sy will be giving a talk, with images, on Monday, April 22 at Stoughton School, 6:30 pm. The next day she’ll talking about octopus at the library, at 6:30 pm.

Tuesday, April 23
Wellesley, MA
Ten Acre School
Sy and master turtle artist Matt Patterson will visit classes to talk about The Book of Turtles.

Friday, May 10
Sandy, UT
Mountain America Exposition Center
At a join conference for library staff in Utah and the Mountain Plains Library Association, Sy will deliver the lunchtime keynote address on the conference theme, “Just Winging It.”
12:30-1:30
Book sales and signing to follow.
More info on the conference here: https://ula.org/2024-annual-conference/

Monday, May 13
Guilford, CT
Guilford Free Library
Lana Ferguson Literary Festival
Sy and Matt will talk about The Book of Turtles in an afterschool program for children 4:30-5:30. More info here.
Meeting Room of the Guilford Free Library
And later that evening, the two will offer an adult presentation on their adult title, Of Time and Turtles. More info here.

Saturday, May 18
Cambridge, MA
Leslie University
Sy will deliver the commencement address.
TBA

Friday, May 31
Hancock, NH
With her husband, Howard Mansfield, poets Jane Ekland and Henry Walters, and musician Steve Schuch, Sy will be reading selected passages from Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” to celebrate Whitman’s birthday.

Monday, July 1
San Diego, CA
American Library Association Awards
Sy and Matt will be in town to accept an award for The Book of Turtles, which has been named a Sibert Honor book.

Wednesday, August 7
Nantucket, MA
Mitchell’s Book Corner
54 Main Street
5-6 p.m.
Prior to their talk the next day for Nantucket Conservation Foundation at the Yacht Club, Sy and wildlife artist Matt Patterson will be signing copies of their books. Please note that due to Club restrictions, there will be no sales of books at their talk the next evening.

Thursday, August 8
Nantucket, MA
Nantucket Conservation Foundation
Great Harbor Yacht Club
96 Washington Street
Meeting starts at 5:15 p.m., presentation shortly thereafter
Sy and wildlife artist Matt Patterson will be the keynote speakers at the Foundation’s 60th annual meeting, sharing stories and images from their work conserving and helping rehabilitate injured turtles.

Saturday, August 17
Bethel, Maine
Mahoosic Monarch Festival
Gem Theater
48 Cross Street
6 p.m.
Sy will be speaking about her work conserving New England turtles, with a special appearance from the Turtle Rescue League, the subject of her book, Of Time and Turtles, illustrated by Matt Patterson
Reserve tickets here: https://www.mahoosuc.org/monarch-festival

2023

Fall Appearances 2023

Of Time and Turtles

Tuesday, Sept. 19
Hancock, NH
Harris Center for Conservation Education
King’s Highway
Sy and Matt will share stories and images from their new book Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell, followed by a screening of a short, brilliant film on Turtle Rescue League by filmmaker Liz Klein. Human stars of the book Alexxia Bell and Natasha Nowick will join us.
Book sale and signing follows!
7-8 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 20
Nashua, NH
Balin Books
375 Amherst St, 101 A
Sy and Matt will discuss their new book Of Time and Turtles, with book sale and signing afterwards.
7 p.m.

Thursday, September 21
Boston, MA
New England Aquarium IMAX theatre
As part of the aquarium’s annual lecture series, Sy will speak about her unusual pandemic experience: learning about the world’s most endangered turtles, rescuing sea turtles on the Cape, and working with Turtle Rescue League to put broken turtles back together. This will be her first public appearance speaking about her new nonfiction book Of Time and Turtles: Mending The World, Shell By Shattered Shell, with art by Matt Patterson.
Program is free, but please pre-register here to ensure a seat! http://support.neaq.org/site/Calendar?id=108905&view=Detail
6:30 p.m.     

Friday, Sept. 22
South Portland, Maine
Books A Million
430 Gorham Road
Sy and Matt will discuss their new book Of Time and Turtles, with book sale and signing afterwards.
6 p.m.

Saturday,  Sept. 23
Peterborough, NH
Toadstool Bookshop, 1 Depot Square
Sy and Matt will be discussing, reading from, signing  Of Time and Turtles
 11 a.m.

Sunday, September 24
West Lebanon, NH
Books A Million
200 South Main Street
Sy and Matt will discuss their new book Of Time and Turtles, with book sale and signing to follow.
2 p.m.

Tuesday, September 26
Concord, NH
Gibson’s Bookstore
45 Main Street
Sy and Matt will discuss their new book Of Time and Turtles, with book sale and signing afterwards.
6:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 28
Belfast, Maine
Left Bank Books
109 Church Street
Sy and Matt will discuss their new book Of Time and Turtles, with book sale and signing afterwards.
5:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 30
Southbridge, MA
Southbridge Community Center
Celebration Gala for Of Time and Turtles
A semi-formal event to benefit Turtle Rescue League will feature refreshments, a reading by Sy, a short film on Turtle Rescue League by Lightstream Associates, a talk by Turtle Rescue League’s founders, Alexxia Bell and Natasha Nowick, Q and A, book signing, and raffle! Tickets are $18 in advance or $20 at the door. Proceeds benefit the turtles. Purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/of-time-and-turtles-celebration-gala-featuring-sy-montgomery-and-lightstream-associates-tickets-710719048807
4-9 p.m.

Sunday, October 1
Exeter, NH
Water Street Books
125 Water Street
Sy and Matt will discuss their new book Of Time and Turtles, with book sale and signing afterwards.
3 p.m.

Saturday, October 7
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Prince Conference Center, 1800 E. Beltline Ave SE
BioLogos Creation Care Summit
Having previously hosted luminaries including Jane Goodall, Bill McKibben, Charles Foster and others, this summit will feature a live podcast interview with Sy in conversation with host Jim Stump as part of the day-long event devoted to how science and faith can work hand-in-hand.
About 300 people attend in person, with more joining online.
More info here: https://biologos.org/events/creation-care-summit-2023

Saturday, October 14
Boston MA
Boston Book Festival
Copley Square
Time TBA
More info here: https://bostonbookfest.org/

Friday, October 20
Providence, Rhode Island
Books on the Square
471 Angell Street
Sy and Matt will discuss their new book Of Time and Turtles, with book sale and signing to follow.
7 – 9 p.m.

Saturday, October 21
East Sandwich, MA
Sandwich Public Library
Sy and Matt will discuss their new book Of Time and Turtles, with book sale and signing to follow.
Please preregister here: https://www.titcombsbookshop.com/event/sy-montgomery-matt-patterson-time-and-turtles

Sunday, October 22
Shirley, Ma
“A Conversation with Sy Montgomery” sponsored by Friends of the Ayer Library and Trustees of the Hazen Library
Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley, Ma.
After a brief presentation on her new book, Sy will be interviewed by a host to be announced.
10 a.m. brunch (optional)
12:10-12:45 Sy’s talk and interview
12:45-1:15 audience Q and A
1:15-2 book sales and signing
For tickets: https://tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1087

Tuesday, October 24
Foster City, California
Foster City Library
6 – 8 p.m.

Thursday October 26
Santa Barbara, California
500 Ninos Drive
Santa Barbara Zoo welcomes back Sy and Matt to share images and stories from their fall title, Of Time and turtles, Book sale and signing afterwards. Evening
The program is free but reservations are required. Register here.

Friday, October 27
Seattle, WA
Third Place Books/Ravenna branch
6504 20th Ave NE
Sy and Matt discuss and read from their new book, with sale and signing to follow.
7 p.m.

Saturday, October 28
Bainbridge Island, WA
Eagle Harbor Book Co.
157 Winslow Way East
Sy and Matt discuss and read from their new book, with sale and signing to follow.
6:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 29
Powell’s Books
1005 West Burnside St.
(This is Powell’s flagship location downtown, with over one million books!)
Sy and Matt discuss and read from their new book, with sale and signing to follow.
7 p.m.

Friday, November 3
Jaffrey, NH
“Stories to Share” First Friday series
Jaffrey Civic Center, 40 Main Street
Sy will speak about her new book Of Time and Turtles, with a book sale and signing afterwards. The event will be both live and virtual and free of charge.
5 p.m.

Sunday, November 5
Coral Gables, FL
Books & Books
165 Arason Ave.
Sy and Matt will discuss their new book, with sale and signing afterwards
6 p.m.

Monday, November 6
Vero Beach, Florida
Vero Beach Book Center
392 21st St
Sy and Matt will discuss and read from their new book, Of Time and Turtles, and sign and personalize books afterwards
5 p.m.

Wednesday, November 8
Boston, MA
“From Head to Heart: Caring for the Environment through Science, Stories and Action,” a conference for librarians and teachers for grades 3-8
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Sy will join a panel of speakers talking about her books for children. Books will be available for sale and signing afterwards.
Teachers can find registration and more information about the day-long conference here: https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/teachers/professional-development

Thursday, November 9
New York City
Museum of American Illustration
128 E. 63rd St
This will be the opening reception for “The Original Art”, a show celebrating the best children’s books published in the US each year–for which a painting by Matt Patterson in The Book of Turtles. The show runs from October 26-January 2024. Details and ticket purchase for the opening here: https://societyillustrators.org/event/oa2023-exhibit/
6 p.m.

Friday, November 17
Mesa, Arizona
Matt will be the banquet speaker at the Turtle and Tortoise conference. A book sale and signing will follow


Tuesday, November 28
Harrisville, NH
Harrisville General Store
Sy and Matt will discuss, read from, and sign  Of Time and Turtles.
7 p.m.

 


Spring 2023

Saturday, March 4
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson Festival of Books
University of Arizona Campus
WNPA Stage
10-11 a.m.
“Encounters with the Magnificent”: Sy joins authors Christopher Preston and Kathryn Wilder to discuss the healing power of nature and what it can teach us.
Afterwards, books will be available for sale and signing.

And, same day:
WNPA Stage  2:30-3:30 p.m.
Moderator Patty Machelor asks Sy: What does it take to interview a hawk? A hummingbird? An octopus? How do you get close to the animals about whom you write? And why do you do it?

Sunday, March 5
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson Festival of Books
University of Arizona Campus
Science City, Main Stage
10-11 a.m.
“Our Feathered Friends”: Sy and Priyanka Kumar (author of Conversations with Birds) talk about their avian encounters and what birds have shown them.

Saturday, March 18
West Palm Beach, Florida
Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute
Jupiter Campus of Florida Atlantic University
7-9:30 p.m.
Sy will speak and show images from her book The Soul of an Octopus as part of the institute’s celebration of “Brainy Days.”

Tuesday, May 2
Hancock, NH
Harris Center for Conservation Education
King’s Highway
6:30 p.m.
Celebrating publication day for The Book of Turtles, a picture book written for people of all ages and illustrated by wildlife artist extraordinaire Matt Patterson, both will speak about these beloved but surprising shelled wonders, show images, answer questions, and offer books for sale and signing. At least one actual turtle will be on hand for you to meet.

Thursday, May 4
New Boston, NH
New School event with Books in Common (not open to the public)
General assembly on turtle wonders, plus two break-out sessions with Matt and Sy
8:20 a.m.-11:05 a.m.

Saturday, May 6
Peterborough, NH
Toadstool Bookshop
Matt and Sy will read from and discuss their new book. A turtle may even join us while the author and illustrator sign and personalize books
11 a.m.

Sunday, May 7
Concord, NH
Grappone Conference Center
70 Constitution Ave.
Pope Memorial SPCA’s “Pause for Compassion” Brunch fundraiser for the animals.
Join Sy and Matt for a special powerpoint presentation on their new book, The Book of Turtles and a preview of the fall title! While you’re there, pick up a copy of the new book and get it signed and personalized by both author and artist.
For tickets: https://www.popememorialspca.org/animal-brunch
9:30 a.m. social hour
10:30 brunch
11 a.m. speaking program
With book signing and sale after

Saturday, May 13
Townsend, Ma.
Townsend Public Library
12 Dudley Road
11 a.m.
Sy and wildlife artist Matt Patterson will be discussing, reading from and answering questions about their new picture book, The Book of Turtles —with at least one live turtle making a star turn as well. Books will be available for sale and signing.

Tuesday, May 16-Thursday, May 19
Port Angeles, WA
Sy is this Spring’s Writer in Residence for Peninsula College, and will be celebrating publication of her new book, The Book of Turtles, along with wildlife artist Matt Patterson! These college events will be free and open to the public as well as to students and faculty:

–Tuesday:
Pirate Union Building PUB, Room J-47
Peninsula English faculty facilitates a 10:30 a.m. class discussion with Sy and Matt of their collaboration, and about writing and illustrating in general.
10:20 a.m.

–Wednesday:
Lower Elwha Heritage Center
Sy and Matt will discuss and read from, and sign and personalize copies of their new title, The Book of Turtles
10 a.m.

And later that same day:

–Port Townsend Campus
PC Learning Center at Fort Worden State Park
Sy and Matt discuss, read from, and sign and personalize copies of The Book of Turtles
3:30-5 p.m.

–Thursday:
Pirate Union Building PUB, Little Theater
Studium Generale presentation: “From Ermines to Octopuses, from Tree Kangaroos to Turtles: A Writing Life Among Animals”
With words and images, Sy introduces some of the animals who have guided her peripatetic life as an author.
12:35-1:35

The talk will be followed by a screening of the film “My Octopus Teacher” from 1:45-4.

Friday, May 19
Poulsbo Library Community Room
700 NE Lincoln Road, Poulsbo , WA 
Friends of the Library Luncheon
Sy and Matt will present words and images from their new book, and afterwards sign and personalize books for the Friends of the Library. This event is invitation-only.
11:30 AM

And that same evening…

Silverdale Library
3650 NW Anderson Hill Road
Suite 101, Silverdale , WA

Sy and Matt will read from and discuss their new book, The Book of Turtles, and introduce their fall title, On Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell
Free. Public welcome.
5:30 PM

Sunday, May 21
Lake Forest Park, WA
Third Place Books
17171 Bothell Way
Sy and Matt will share words and images from their new book—and give a preview of the fall title. Afterwards, both will sign and personalize books for folks.
11 a.m.

Monday, May 22
Ojai, CA.
9 a.m.
Matt and Sy will talk turtles in a school presentation for Turtle Conservancy

Tuesday May 23
Santa Barbara, CA
Discovery Pavillion
Santa Barbara Zoo
Come celebrate World Turtle Day at the zoo! Matt and Sy will be sharing images and stories from their new book, turtles will be on hand, and you’ll meet the good folks at the Santa Barbara Zoo and the Turtle Conservancy who are working to preserve endangered turtles!
7 p.m.

Friday, May 26
Portsmouth, NH
Nahcotta gallery
110 Congress Street
Show of Matt’s original paintings for The Book of Turtles, with book sale and signing by both the artist and author.
5-7 p.m.

Saturday, June 10
Hancock, NH
The Harris Center for Conservation Education
Mid-morning event for supporters
Sy Montgomery will receive the first-ever Eleanor Briggs Award at a special luncheon, also featuring live turtles!
More info: https://harriscenter.org/events/special-event-for-harris-center-supporters-turtles-all-the-way

Saturday, June 24
American Library Association Exhibit Hall
McCormick Place Convention Center
2301 S King Drive
Sy will be signing The Book of Turtles and other children’s titles at the HarperCollins children’s Books booth (#3611)
9-10 a.m.

And right afterwards… Sy will be signing her adult titles at the Harper Collins Adult Booth (Booth #3511)
10-11a.m.

Later that same day:
ALMA/LibraryReads: Feel Good Reads
McCormick Places W184A
Sy will join a panel with four other great writers—Gabriel Bump, Sophie Diener and Kennedy Ryan—discussing her coming book, On Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell.
Talks will be followed by a book signings. Postcards for the new book, with QR codes to pre-order, will be on hand.

Saturday, July 15
Belfast, ME
Left Bank Books
109 Church St.
Sy and Matt will be discussing and signing their new book The Book of Turtles.
Noon-2

Thursday, July 20
Keene, NH
Keene State College, Marble Brown Room
Sy and husband Howard Mansfield will each receive a Ewing Award for Literature at this annual gala honoring Monadnock area artists, writers, and performers. For tickets: https://ticketelf.com/events/ewing-arts-awards-7-20-2023/tickets
6:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 22
Exeter, NH
Water Street Bookstore
125 Water Street
Sy and Matt will discuss and sign The Book of Turtles
11 a.m.

Tuesday, August 1
Charleston, South Carolina
Turtle Survival Alliance Annual Symposium
Embassy Suites by Hilton, Charleston Hotel & Conference Center
Sy will give the keynote address kicking off the symposium
9 a.m.
To register for the symposium:
https://give.turtlesurvival.org/event/21st-annual-symposium-on-the-conservation-and-biology-of-tortoises-and-freshwater-turtles/e462874

… and at the same place and event, the following day

Wednesday, August 2
Sy and turtle artist extraordinaire Matt Patterson will be signing and personalizing copies of their spring book The Book of Turtles, for sale on site, and giving out postcards for their fall book, Of Time and Turtles with a QR code on the back for instant pre-order.
5:45-6:45 p.m.

Saturday, August 19
Hancock, NH
Main Street
Join us for the Old Home Day parade, and greet the turtle float Matt designed for the parade! In addition to the float, we’ll be featuring the Turtle Rescue League ambulance and a tuba player (the “Tortuba”) in the parade. Stick around for all the Old Home Day activities, including the famous Synchro Sistahs’ synchronized swimming performance in Norway Pond!
Parade starts at 10:30 a.m.

Monday, August 31
Charleston, SC
Turtle Survival Alliance annual symposium
Sy will be the keynote speaker opening this week-long symposium drawing hundreds of turtle experts and enthusiasts from around the world.
Details TBA

 

 

2022

Saturday, October 22
Concord, MA
Thoreau Society
7:00 pm
An Evening with Sy Montgomery featuring her latest book, The Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty. This hybrid event takes place at First Parish, 20 Lexington Road, Concord, MA and will be lived-streamed via Zoom. Tickets are $25 for the live event (thoreausociety.org) and $15 for Zoom registration
More info: https://www.concordfestivalofauthors.org/thoreau-society-evening-with-sy-montgomery

Saturday, November 19
Miami, FL
Miami Book Fair
Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus
Building 2, 1st Floor, 2106
5:30 p.m.
All of downtown Miami transforms to a literary festival for a whole week. Sy will be speaking that Saturday eve on The Hawk’s Way as part of a panel with Jack Davis (The Bald Eagle) and Tony Hiss (Saving the Planet). Books will be available for sale and signing.  Can’t make it? The panel will be live streamed on MiamiBookFairOnline.com.

Sunday, December 4
Concord, MA
Concord Museum
Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature
53 Cambridge Turnpike 11:30-12:30
As Honorary Chair of this festive yearly event, Sy will read from some of her books for children and take questions from kids and their families. Concord Museum, best known for its collections of artifacts from Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, hosts Family Trees each year, featuring a forest of trees decorated with scenes from favorite children’s books. The festival runs from Nov. 23-Jan. 2.

Sy’s Spring 2022 Speaking Schedule—events are live in person unless marked virtual.

Sunday, April 10
Boston, MA
Literary Lights Annual Dinner and Celebration
Boston Park Plaza
This yearly gala honors distinguished authors from the North East. Proceeds benefit the Boston Public Library Special Collection. This year’s honorees, along with Sy, are Henry Louis Gates (the featured speaker), Joseph Kannon, Patrick Radden Keefe and Meg Wolitzer. Dr. Charlie Innis, New England Aquarium’s Director of Animal Health, will present Sy’s award.   For tickets: https://www.associatesbpl.org/events-and-programs/literary-lights/

Sunday, April 24
Virtual
Thoreau Society/The Write Connection
2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time
“When Things Go Horribly Wrong.”
Sy and Michael Frederick, author and Director of the Thoreau Society, discuss the adventure of researching and writing nonfiction.  
For the link visit https://thoreaufarm.org/the-write-connection/

Monday, April 25
Concord, NH
NH Audubon McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Rd
5:30 p.m.
Living on Earth host and Sy’s good friend, Steve Curwood, interviews her in person
in front of a live audience about her new book, The Hawk’s Way.
To register for the free live event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sy-montgomery-and-living-on-earth-the-hawks-way-in-person-registration-314984877247?aff=Pressrelease

To register for the free livestream:https://umassboston.zoom.us/webinar/register/4816498784690/WN_Lc9pRKvnR6KXCzu-   dCkLWg

Wednesday, April 27
Virtual
7 p.m. EDT
Hosted by “Canton (Ohio) Reads”
The good folks of Canton, Ohio, are reading Sy’s book, How to Be a Good Creature. Join us as Sy shows images and talks about the 13 individual animals, from emus to octopuses, who changed her life.
See Sy’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for Zoom link.

Tuesday, May 3
Concord, NH
Gibson’s Bookstore
45 South Main St, Concord
6:30 p.m.
Sy will speak about her new book The Hawk’s Way, answer questions, and sign and personalize books afterwards. 

Wednesday, May 4
Virtual
Hosted by Oblong Books
6 p.m. EDT
See Sy’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for Zoom link

Friday, May 6
Boston, MA
Boston Public Library
700 Boyleston St. Boston
12:30 p.m.
Live interview on WGBH radio, 89.7, with Jim Braude and Margery Eagan about Sy’s new book, The Hawk’s Way.

Friday, May 6
Cambridge, MA
Porter Square Books
25 White Street
7 p.m.
Sy will speak about her new book The Hawk’s Way, answer questions, and sign books.

Saturday, May 7
Peterborough, NH
The Toadstool Bookshop
12 Depot Square, Peterborough
11 a.m.
Sy will speak about her new book The Hawk’s Way, answer questions, and sign books.

Wednesday, May 18
Virtual
Host: Tewksbury Public Library
In Conversation with featured author Erica Ferincik, author of Girl in Ice
7 p.m. EDT
See Sy’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for Zoom link

Sunday, May 22
Exeter, NH
Water Street Books
125 Water Street, Exeter
2 p.m.
Sy will talk about and read from The Hawk’s Way, and sign books. 

Saturday, June 4
Gloucester, MA
63 Rogers Street
On board the schooner The Thomas E. Lannon,  along with Captain Ellis, Polly the herring gull,  and artist Amy Schimmler-Safford, Sy will celebrate her new, nonfiction picture book, The Seagull and The Sea Captain.
We sail at 10. a.m.
Other events will happen that day as well. Watch Sy’s social media and the Lannon’s website, https://schooner.org/

Thursday, June 30
Virtual
Smithsonian Associates
6:45 p.m. EDT
Sy will present an hour-long illustrated talk on her new book, The Hawk’s Way.
Watch the Smithsonian’s website for tickets and link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/streaming/

Sunday, June 12
South Hadley, MA
The Odyssey Bookshop
9 College Street
1 p.m.
Sy will talk about and read from The Hawk’s Way and sign books.

 

======================================================

PAST EVENTS

 

2020

Tuesday, February 26
Dublin, NH
Dublin Public Library
6:30-7:30 p.m.
With author/husband Howard Mansfield and others, Sy will enjoy “Dessert with Authors” with patrons of the library.

Friday, March 20
Santa Fe, NM
James A Little Theature
New Mexico School for the Deaf
1060 Cerrilos Rd
7-9 p.m.
Sy’s illustrated talk will focus on the revelations of non-verbal communication, and the value of learning from teachers with abilities, backgrounds, and sensory systems different from our own.

Thursday, March 26
Boston, MA
Simmons University
The University chose Soul of an Octopus for its incoming first year Honors class common read. Sy will be speaking to them in one session on this book, and to another larger group about her work in general.
Times and places TBA.

Monday, April 6
New York, NY
Yale Club
50 Vanderbilt Ave
John Burroughs/Riverby awards ceremony
Noon-3 p.m.
Sy will receive her third Riverby Award for excellence in nature writing for young people for her book The Magnificent Migration, with photos by Roger and Logan Wood.  

Sunday, April 26 New date: April 15, 2021
Boston, MA
Boston Park Plaza
Evening
The Associates of the Boston Public Library have chosen Sy as one as one of the Literary Lights to be celebrated at its annual fundraising gala, which honors significant authors from the Northeast (previously honored Literary Lights have included E.O. Wilson, Bill McKibben and John Grogan). The event benefits preservation of the Boston Public Library’s Special Collections—including a first edition of Audubon’s Birds of America and Shakespeare’s First Folio.

Monday, June 22
Boston, MA
Cephalopod Movie Night with Science Friday
WBUR CitySpace, 890 Commonwealth Ave
On-stage interviews with Sy and other guests and fab ceph movies!
Doors open at 6:30; event begins at 7:30
This is a ticketed event—link to purchase tix to come!

Saturday, August 22-Saturday, August 29
Isla De La Plata, Ecuador
Sy will be diving with giant mantas for research on a new book in the Scientists in the Field series.

Tuesday, July 28
Publication date for Sy’s new book, Condor Comeback, with photos by Tia Strombeck. Readings and signings to be announced.

Tuesday, October 6-Tuesday, October 20
National book tour for Sy’s new picture book, Becoming a New Creature, with artwork by Rebecca Green. Cities, dates and times TBA.


2019

January 10-January 21
Sy will be in Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park working with a team of Earthwatch researchers studying dholes, one of the most endangered canids on Earth.

February 7-8
Cincinnati, Ohio
Sy will be the featured speaker at events for Books for Lunch, a fundraiser for the Upper School at The Seven Hills School.

Thursday, February 7
7-9 p.m. Sy will speak at a sit-down dinner for about 80 parents/friends of the school who are sponsoring the event. Booksigning follows. Location TBA.

Friday, February 8
Upper School
500 Redbank Road
8-10:30 a.m. Sy will speak at the school about her work to students, faculty and staff, followed by Q & A.
Xavier University
Cintas Center
1624 Herald Ave.
12-1:30  
Sy will deliver an hour long talk on her work for the community at large, with Q & A and book signing afterwards.  Here’s more info, and how to buy tickets: https://www.7hills.org/parents/books-for-lunch/

Saturday, February 9 — Snowed out
Everett, WA
Everett Performing Arts Center
2710 Wetmore Ave.
7 p.m.
Sy is giving the keynote address of the community-wide “Everett Reads!” program, Sy will show slides and tell stories about her latest book, and afterwards answer questions and sign books.

March 26-28
Lubek, Cologne, and Desden, Germany
Diogenes, which will be publishing Sy’s How To Be A Good Creature, and much of her adult backlist, will be bringing Sy on a tour of Germany, including a speaking engagement with Donna Leon at Lit Cologne, Europe’s largest literary festival.

The schedule so far:
March 26: Hugendubel bookstore, Lubeck.
March 27:  at the festival in Cologne.
Read more about the festival here: https://www.litcologne.de/en/
March 28: Dresden public library.

Thursday, May 2
Salem, Oregon
Chemeketa Community College  Auditorium
7-9 p.m.
Sy will speak at the annual fundraiser, followed by Q & A and booksigning. The Spring Forum of The Assistance League of Salem-Keizer Auxiliary benefits their three major philanthropic projects.

Saturday, May 4 and Sunday May 5
Rescheduled from February 9
Everett, WA

Saturday:
Everett Performing Arts Center
2710 Wetmore Avenue
11 a.m.
Presentation for children and families on Sy’s work with animals, and afterwards answer questions and sign books.

Sunday:
Cope Gillette Theater
2730 Wetmore Ave.
6-8 p.m.
Sy is giving the keynote address of the community-wide “Everett Reads!” program. She’ll show images and tell stories about her latest book, and after answer questions and sign books.

May 14
New York City
92nd St Y
12-1 p.m.
Appearing with photographer Isa Leshko.

June 3-June 13:
Sy will be in Ecuador and Peru working on a new book on Giant Manta Rays

Thursday, July 11
Cambridge, Ma
Porter Square Books
11 White St.
7 p.m.
Sy will be show images and speak about her researcher for the new book, The Magnificent Migration: On Safari with Africa’s Last Great Herds. Books for sale and signing afterwards. 

Saturday, July 13
Peterborough, NH
Toadstool Bookshop
Depot Square
11 a.m.
Debut of Sy’s newest book, The Magnificent Migration: On Safari with Africa’s Last Great Herds, with its star, Dr. Richard Despard Estes, photographers Logan and Roger Wood, and author and fellow traveler Elizabeth Marshall Thomas. All will be there for signing and personalizing your book!  

Thursday, July 18
Boston, Ma.
New England Aquarium
1 Central Wharf, IMAX Threater
“How To Be A Good Creature”
7 p.m.

Thursday, August 1
Strafford, Vt.
Townhouse Forum
7 p.m.
Reading and discussion about “Living Among Animals” along with fellow author and equestrian Denny Emerson.

Saturday, August 10
Peterborough, NH
Toadstool Bookshop
Depot Square
11 a.m.
Sy will introduce photographer and author, Isa Leshko who will be speaking on her new book on the grace and beauty of elderly farm sanctuary animals, “Allowed to Grow Old.” (Sy wrote the foreword to this beautiful book.)

Wednesday, Sept. 18
Ipswich, Ma.
Hugh and Louise Johnson Lecture Series
Hellenic Center Mansion
117 County Rd
“An Evening with Sy Montgomery”
7:30 p.m.
Illustrated talk will be followed by Q & A and book signing

Thursday, Sept. 19
Boston, Ma.
MSPCA Angell Memorial Hospital “Leader’s Circle” educational forum (invitation only, for major donors to this internationally renowned animal hospital and humane outreach organization)
Evening.

Thursday and Friday, November 7-8
Port Angeles, WA
North Olympic Library Community Reads Program
Lectures and readings from “The Soul of an Octopus”

November 7  8:45am with Port Angeles School District 5thGraders
Port Angeles Main Library
6:30pm All Ages Author Visit, Sequim Branch Library
November 8, 10am with Quileute Tribal School students La Push
6:30pm All Ages Author Visit Port Angeles Main Library

Wednesday, November 20
Keene, NH
Franklin Elementary School
217 Washington St.
1-3 p.m
Thanks to a grant from Children’s Literary Foundation, Sy will speak at two separate assemblies with children in grades K-5 about her career journey as a writer off the beaten path.

Friday, December 6
Antrim, NH
Great Brook School
16 School St
2-3:30
Working with The Harris Center for Conservation Education, Sy teams with naturalist Susie Spikol to present at Lab Girls, a program that brings women mentors in STEAM careers to girls in the classroom.


Fall 2018

Saturday, September 1
Washington, DC
National Book Festival
Washington Convention Center
Our World Stage
Sy will join Spineless author Juli Berwald and NPR host Linda Holmes for a panel discussion of sea creatures and what animals and the ocean mean in our lives.
3:50 p.m.; book signing at 5:30
For more info about the festival, visit https://www.loc.gov/bookfest/

Tuesday, September 25

Providence, RI
New England Independent Booksellers Association Author Reception
Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin St
6-7:30  p.m.
Friends please note: This is a booksellers only event!

Wednesday, September 26
Brooklyn, New York
Greenlight Books,
686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY
7:30 p.m.
Sy and her good friend National Book Award finalist Eliot Schraefer (his newest is Orphaned) will speak about their just-published books, answer questions, and sign and personalize books afterwards.

Friday, September 28
Cambridge, MA
Harvard Bookstore
1256 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA
7 p.m.
Sy and dear friend and national bestseller Vicki Croke (her latest is Elephant Company) will be on hand to celebrate Sy’s new book—which originated in an interview Vicki did with Sy! Both will sign and personalize books afterwards.

Sunday, September 30
Nashville, TN
Parnassus Books
3900 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN
2 p.m.
At the home bookstore of Rebecca Green, whose gorgeous illustrations grace Sy’s new book, Sy will talk about How to Be A Good Creature, answer questions, and sign and personalized books afterwards. Alas, Rebecca has just moved to Osaka, Japan! But Rebecca’s good Karma will still be around.

Tuesday, October 2
Berkeley, CA
Books, Inc Berkely
1491 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
7 p.m.
Talk, Q & A, signing

Wednesday, October 3
Malibu, CA
LA County Library, Malibu Branch
7-9 p.m.
As part of the Malibu Library Author’s Speakers Series, Sy will give a formal powerpoint presentation about her new book, with Q & A and book signing afterwards.

Friday, October 5
Portland, OR
Powell’s City of Books,
1005 West Burnside St., Portland
7:30 p.m.
Talk, Q & A, signing

Saturday, October 6
Seattle, WA
Elliot Bay Book Company
7 p.m.
Talk, Q & A, signing

Sunday and Monday, October 7 and 8
La Conner, WA
La Conner Library Foundation, host
Sunday, Sy will present at late afternoon program for adults concentrating on Soul of an Octopus and introducing How to Be A Good Creature. Books for sale and signing afterwards.
Monday morning’s presentation will be geared to school age children and held at an area school.
Locations and times TK

Tuesday, October 9
Corvallis, OR
Spring Creek Project
Majestic Theatre, downtown Corvallis
Sy will be reading from her new book, Q & A and signing to follow
7-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 13
Boston, Mass
Boston Book Festival
Boston Public Library
Noon – 1pm
With her friend and bestselling author Vicki Croke, Sy will be discussing her new book How to be a Good Creature, and answering questions and signing books afterwards.
More info about the Book Festival can be found here: https://bostonbookfest.org/

Saturday and Sunday, October 20 and 21
Barcelona, Spain
Sy’s Spanish publisher for Spell of the Tiger, Erratanaturae (which will also be publishing Good Creature), is sending Sy to speak at a nature writing festival. More info (in Spanish) on the festival here: http://artsy.movistar.es/proyecto/liternatura

Thursday and Friday, October 25 and 26
Plymouth, MA
Thursday evening at 7, Sy will be speaking at a private event at Pine Hills Community thanks to the Great Island Activities committee. The event is at the Overlook Clubhouse; tickets are $7.
On Friday, Sy will be speaking at Plymouth Public Library: see details of all their programs at http://www.plymouthpubliclibrary.org/upcoming-events/

Saturday and Sunday, October 27-28
Austin, TX
Austin Book Festival
State Capitol Building
Panel and location times TK

Thursday, November 1
Yarmouth Port, MA
International Fund for Animal Welfare community outreach event.
IFAW is working to rescue and protect animals around the world.
290 Summer Street, Yarmouth Port, MA
6:6:30 p.m. welcome and mingling
6-8  Sy presents images and tells stories from her new memoir, answers questions and signs books
8-9 cocktails and appetizers
Tickets are required. For more info click here.

Saturday, November 3
Brooklyn, Pioneer Works Art Foundation
159 Pioneer St, Brooklyn
6-8 p.m.
Book talk on Good Creature, illustrated with slides; Q & A afterwards, plus book signing

Tuesday, November 6 and Wednesday November 7
Conway, Arkansas
Hendrix Murphy Foundation, host
Hendrix College, 1600 Washington Ave.
On Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., Sy will give a powerpoint presentation on her new book, answer questions, then sign books at a reception. Open to the public.
On Wednesday, TBA, Sy will visit two classrooms and have lunch with students.

Wednesday, November 14
Cambridge, MA
Porter Square Books, 25 White Street, Cambridge
7 p.m.
Talk, Q & A, signing

Saturday, December 1
Peterborough, NH
Toadstool Bookshop
11 a.m.
Sy will read from and speak about her new memoir for adult readers, How to Be a Good Creature, as well as her first picture book, Inky’s Amazing Escape, for (very) young octopus-lovers.

Saturday, December 8
Nye Hill Farm Open House
250 Middletown Rd., Roxbury, NH
1:30 to 2 pm
Sy and Howard Mansfield will read. Nye Hill Farm grows organic food, has a small award-winning craft brewery, shelters abused and neglected animals, and is a beautiful, old farm with sweeping views to the south. More Info: nyehillorganic.com


Spring and Summer 2018

Thursday, January 11
Nashua, NH
Beaver Brook Nature Center Annual Dinner Meeting and Auction
Nashua Country Club
25 Fairview Street, Nashua
5:30-6:30 cocktails/silent auction with dinner and Sy’s presentation to follow.

In words and images, Sy will introduce some of her guides, mentors and teachers—from shamans to spiders—in her travels to cloud forests, jungles, deserts and oceans around the world. She’ll dedicate sign books after the talk.

Thursday, January 25
Peterborough, NH
Peterborough Elementary School
10:30-3:15
Thanks to help from Children’s Literacy Foundation, Sy will be at the school all day, giving presentations and talking with students.

Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3
Redlands, California
22nd Annual Charlotte S. Huck Children’s Literature Festival
University of Redlands
1200 East Colton Ave.
The festival brings together teachers, librarians, writers and students to explore and celebrate literature for children.
Sy will be giving one illustrated talk to the entire group, two small group sessions, and two book signings, TBA.
To register and get updates, visit the website: http://www.redlands.edu/study/schools-and-centers/school-of-education/childrens-literature-festival-2018/

Saturday, March 10 and Sunday, March 11
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson Festival of Books
University of Arizona
Sy will be speaking on her new book coauthored with best friend Elizabeth Marshall Thomas on two panels.
Saturday 10-11 at ILC Room 120 on Tamed and Untamed.
Sunday 1-2 College of Education Room 333 on my kids books with 2 other panelists
and Sunday 4-5 at Modern Language Room 350 on “No Creature Too Small” with 2 other authors. To see the schedule and check out the other fine authors and events at this enormous (and beautifully-run) festival, visit http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/

Thursday, March 15
Claremont, NH
Fiske Free Library
108 Broad Street
6 p.m.
Sy will speak and show images from The Soul of an Octopus. Books will be available afterwards for her to sign and personalize for you.

Tuesday, April 3
Greensburg, Pa.
Wendover Middle School
425 Wendover Jr. High Drive, Greensburg PA.
8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Sy will be speaking with middle school students about her work with formal and informal presentations throughout the day. There will also be a chance to buy books and have them signed.

Thursday, April 12 and Friday, April 13
Newport, Oregon
Newport Reads, 2018
The entire city of Newport is reading The Soul of an Octopus! On Thursday evening, Sy will be giving a slide talk at the Newport Performing Arts Center (777 West Olive Street) from 7-9, with Q & A and book signing afterwards.
On Friday from 9-10  a.m. she’ll be speaking with students at Newport High.

Thursday, April 26
East Lansing, MI
East Lansing Public Library
950 Abbot Road
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Celebrating upcoming publication of The Hyena Scientist before its star goes back to Kenya, MSU researcher Dr. Kay Holekamp and Sy team up to talk about the book and Kay’s three decades of research on this mysterious and misunderstood animal—Africa’s most formidable predator. No books available yet—but you can get Kay and Sy’s signature on a book plate to place in the book on pub date May 15! More info: https://elpl.bibliocommons.com/events/5a8c944cdfc3593e00018747

Saturday, April 14
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene Library
100 West 10th Ave.
2-3:30 p.m.
Sy will be speaking on The Soul of an Octopus, followed by Q & A and book signing.

Friday, June 29
Cambridge, Ma.
Porter Square Books
25 White Street
7 p.m.
Sy will show images and tell stories about her research for her latest book, The Hyena Scientist. Books will be available for sale, signing and personalizing afterwards.

Sunday, July 8
Peterborough, NH
Monadnock Lyceum
Unitarian Universalist Church
10:30 a.m. live music; presentation starts at 11
Sy and co-author Elizabeth Marshall Thomas will speak about their collaboration on Tamed and Untamed, and their combined century of experience studying animals near and far. The talk will be recorded for broadcast the following week on NHPR.

Saturday, July 14
Peterborough, NH
Toadstool Bookshop
Depot Square
11 a.m.
Sy will speak about the research and findings for The Hyena Scientist. Books available for sale, signing, and personalizing afterwards.

Saturday, July 28
Woodstock, Vt.
Bookstock Literary Festival
Norman Williams Public Library, Mezzanine
4-5 p.m.
Sy and co-author Elizabeth Marshall Thomas will read and tell stories from their book Tamed and Untamed: Close Encounters of the Animal Kind. Books will be available for sale and signing afterwards.

Autumn, 2018: Stand by for tour schedule for Sy’s new book, How to be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals


2017

Sunday, January 29
Keene, New Hampshire
Keene Country Club
Hosted by Hillside Village retirement community
1-3 p.m.
Powerpoint talk on The Soul of an Octopus

Sunday, February 12
Boca Raton, Florida
Boca Raton Public Library
400 NH Second Ave.
3-4 p.m. Powerpoint talk and discussion of The Soul of an Octopus — chosen for the 2017 One Book all-community read.
4-5 p.m. Book signing to follow.

Wednesday, April 5
Glen Allen, Virginia
All Henrico Reads The Soul of an Octopus
Glen Allen High School
10700 Staples Mill Rd.
Events at 9:30-10:00 a.m. and 6-10 p.m.
Readings, presentations, book sales and signings.

Thursday, May 18 – Sunday May 21
Brevard, North Carolina
Looking Glass Rock Writer’s Conference
Brevard College
1 Brevard College Drive
Public readings, workshops and book signings.

Wednesday, May 24
Troy, New Hampshire
Troy Elementary School
44 School Street
1-2 p.m. and 2-3 p.m.
In two separate assemblies, Sy will show images and tell stories from her travels to research the lives of animals around the world. This program by arrangement with Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLIF) which serves low-income, high risk and rural school children in New Hampshire and Vermont.

Wednesday, July 12
Concord, Massachusetts
First Parish of Concord
10:30 a.m.
As part of the celebration of Henry David Thoreau’s 200th birthday, Sy will accept the Henry David Thoreau Prize from PEN New England, a chapter of PEN America. PEN is a worldwide association of writers celebrating creative expression and defending the liberties that make it possible. A book signing will follow.

Thursday, July 27
Boston
New England Aquarium
1 Central Wharf
6 p.m.
At an event for members (though others may be accommodated!) Sy and Freshwater Gallery Senior Aquarist Scott Dowd will celebrate publication of the newest Scientists in the Field Book, Amazon Adventure: How Tiny Fish Are Saving The World’s Largest Rainforest with two illustrated slide talks. The event is free, but please register in advance by calling the aquarium at (617) 973-9200.

Friday, August 4
Stoddard, NH
Town Hall, Route 123
7 p.m.
Illustrated with images from her research, Sy will discuss her book Soul of an Octopus, as well as some of her previous work that lead her to attempt a meeting of minds with these mollusks.

Wednesday, August 23
Cambridge, Ma.
Porter Square Books
7 p.m.
Sy and Scott Dowd, Senior Aquarist at the New England Aquairium , will be talking about Sy’s new young adult book, Amazon Adventure. For more than 20 years Scott Dowd and his colleagues having been working with the native people to save many of the fish that make their way to North America’s home aquariums.

Saturday, August 26
Peterborough, NH
The Toadstool Bookshop
Depot Square
11 a.m.
Sy will be speaking about her new book in the Scientists in the Field Series for young readers, Amazon Adventure: How Tiny Fishes are Saving the World’s Largest Rainforest. She’ll be dedicating and signing books after the talk.

Friday, September 22
Manchester Center, Vt
Northshire Bookstore
4869 Main St
7:00 p.m.
Sy and co-author Liz Thomas will discuss their collaboration on their new book, Tamed and Untamed. Book sale and signing to follow.

Thursday, September 28
Hull, Ma.
Nantasket Beach Lecture Series
Nantasket Beach Resort
45 Hull Shore Drive
7:00 p.m.
Sy and co-author Liz Thomas will share images and stories from their travels around the world to celebrate publication of their new book Tamed and Untamed. Book sale and signing to follow.

Saturday, September 30
Peterborough, NH
Toadstool Bookstore
12 Depot St
11:00 a.m.
Sy and co-author Liz Thomas will discuss their collaboration on their new book, Tamed And Untamed. Book sale and signing to follow.

Saturday, September 30
Roxbury, NH
Nye Hill Farm
250 Middletown Rd
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
A Taste of Art at Nye Hill Farm. Pottery, woodturning, spinning, felting, quilting, and paintings. Farm tours. Sy and Howard Mansfield will read at 1:30 and sign books until 3. The art festival runs from 10 to 5. Nye Hill is an organic farm, a brewery, a haven for rescued animals, and a beautiful place. More info: Nyehillorganic.com Or at Facebook on the Nye Hill Farm page.

My friends at Nye Hill Farm

Sunday, October 1
Warner, NH
MainStreet BookEnds
16 E Main St
2 p.m.
Sy and Liz will be reading from and discussing their new book, with sales and signing to follow.

Wednesday, October 4
Cambridge, Ma.
Harvard Bookstore
1256 Massachusetts Ave
7 p.m.
Sy and Liz read and discuss their new book, sale and signing after.

Tuesday, October 10
Exeter, NH
Water Street Bookstore
125 Water St
6:30 p.m.
Sy and Liz speak on their new book. Sale and signing follow.

Wednesday, October 11
Sandwich, Ma.
Sandwich Town Hall, 130 Main Street
7-9 p.m.
Soul of an Octopus was selected for this year’s Sandwich Reads Together Program. Sy will also visit Oak Ridge School and STEM academy that afternoon to talk with kids about her Scientists in the Field books.

Thursday, October 12
Lexington, Ma.
Lexington Community Education Lecture Series
The Lexington Depot
13 Depot Square
7 p.m.
Illustrated with images from their worldwide travels, Sy and coauthor Liz will discuss their life’s passion, discovering the secrets of other species, and celebrate publication of their new book. Sales and signing to follow.

Saturday, October 14
Concord, NH
Gibson’s Bookstore
45 S. Main St
2:00 p.m.
Sy and Liz will discuss their new book, Tamed and Untamed. Books available for sale and signing.

Tuesday, October  17
Peterborough, NH
Peterborough Town Library
2 Concord St
6:30 p.m.
Sy and Liz will share stories from their collaboration for Tamed and Untamed. Books will be available for sale and signing.

Thursday, October 19
Rhinebeck, NY
Oblong Bookstore
6422 Montgomery Street
6 p.m.
Sy and Liz share stories from Tamed and Untamed. Books available for sale and signing.

Wednesday, October 25
Norwich, Vt
Norwich Bookstore
291 S. Main St
Sy and Liz will discuss and read from their new book. Sale and signing follows.

Thursday, December 7
New York City, NY
92Y
1395 Lexington Ave
12 noon
Sy teams up with Liz Thomas and Barbara J. King to discuss “Animal Minds and Emotions” as part of this popular speaker series.


2016

Saturday, Feb. 13
Washington, DC.
American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting
Omni Shorham Hotel.
Sy will accept the Science Book and Film Award for The Octopus Scientists Saturday evening. Other events, open to all scientists registered for the AAAS meeting, including book signing, TBA.

Wednesday, Feb 24 and Thursday, February 25.
Winter Park, Fla.
Rollins College, National Book Awards on Campus.
Feb 24: Evening reception; Feb. 25: Lunch with interns and poet Carol Frost; master classes at 2; 7:30 joint reading with fellow NBA Finalist Ross Gay, Q & A and book signing.

Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13
Tucson, Arizona.
Tucson Festival of Books, University of Arizona Campus.
Saturday 11:30-12:30,
Integrated Learning Center Room 120: Sy joins Alison Denning and Arlene Weintraub on panel exploring “The Bond Between Humans and Animals.”
Saturday 2:30-3:30, Koffler Rm, 204: Sy speaks solo, with Powerpoint, on The Soul of an Octopus.
Sunday, 10-11 a.m.,
Chemistry Room 111, panel with Stephen Buchmann“Human Nature and Mother Nature: Birds, Bees, Octopuses…”

Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18
Moorehead, Minnesota.
Concordia College, National Book Awards on Campus.
Thursday, lunch talk on excellence in octopuses, followed by master class. Friday, master class.

Tuesday, April 5
Boston, Ma.
Harvard University, Boston Malacological Society Meeting
8:30-9:30 p.m.
Sy will speak about her work with octopuses at this meeting of Boston’s top experts and lovers of mollusks.

Sunday, April 10
Manchester, NH
New England Brittany Rescue benefit brunch
Fratello’s Italian Grille
155 Dow Street
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
To benefit and re-home these lovely spaniels, join Sy for lunch, show and prizes. She’ll be talking about the connection between animals and people and showing images from home and travels. Register at events@nebrittanyrescue.org.

Sunday, April 10
Rindge, NH.
Hampshire Country School.
6:30 p.m. At her annual dinner with students at Temple Grandin’s old school, Sy speaks with students about her upcoming book, The Shark Scientist.

Friday, April 15
Roanoke, Va.
Roanoke Book and Author Dinner, Roanoke Hotel and Conference Center, 110 Shenandoah Ave.
6-11:30 p.m.
Sy and authors Jeffery Deaver, Andrea Mays and the Hon. Martin Clark will speak about their books at this festive benefit dinner for the Roanoke Academy of Medicine Alliance.

Friday, April 22, Earth Day
Peterborough NH.
Peterborough Town House.
7 p.m.
Three towns—Peterborough, Hancock and Jaffrey—sponsor a “Big Read” of The Soul of an Octopus. Sy shares images and stories from her octopus odyssey.

Sunday, June 12
Boston, Ma.
New England Aquarium, IMAX Theater, 1 Central Wharf.
4:15-6:30 p.m.
Celebrating great white sharks and the publication of The Great White Shark Scientist with photos by Keith Ellenbogen.

Sy and the star of her new book, shark biologist Greg Skomal, share stories and images from his work and the new book. Free to members, but please pre-register with Neaq.org/membership.

Thursday, July 14
Canaan, NH.
Canaan Meetinghouse Series
Canaan Street
7:30 p.m.
Sy will join her SNHU friend, bestselling author Diane les Bequets, at this venerable reading series in an iconic New England setting. Sy will be reading from Soul of an Octopus; Diane from her new book, Breaking Wild. Books can be purchased, signed and after the reading

Thursday, August 18
Biddeford Pool, Maine. Union Church reading series.
Afternoon: in a special program for children, Sy shares stories from researching The Octopus Scientist. Evening: Powerpoint and talk on The Soul of an Octopus.

Sunday, August 21
Peterborough, NH.
Unitarian Church. Monadnock Lyceum.
11 a.m.
Talk on The Soul of an Octopus followed by Q & A; book signing at reception follows.

Saturday, September 17
Lee, NH
Live and Learn Early Childhood Center, 114 Mast Rd, Lee
8:30 a.m.-12:30
Sy will deliver the keynote for the Center’s Sense of Place Conference, answer questions from the audience, and sign and personalize books

Wednesday, September 21
Providence, Rhode Island
New England Independent Booksellers Association annual meeting
Biltmore Hotel, 6 p.m.
Sy will join the celebrations at NEIBA’s annual banquet and gratefully accept its Nonfiction Book Award for The Soul of an Octopus. All award winners will share stories and images from their books.

Monday, October 17
Ambler, Pennsylvania
Shady Grove Elementary School
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sy will visit grades k-5 to talk about her books and travels.

Tuesday, October 18
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Blue Bell Elementary School
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sy will visit grades k-5 to talk about her books and travels.

Wednesday, October 19
Norfolk, Virginia
“An Evening with Sy Montgomery”
2-3 p.m.: Presentation at W.H. Taylor Elementary School
7:00-9:00 p.m.: community presentation at Slover Library
235 E. Plume St.
Sy will give a talk, answer questions and then sign books.

Wednesday, November 2
Woodbury, Minnesota
R.H. Stafford Library
8595 Central Park Place
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Sy will give an evening presentation to be recorded as a series podcast, followed by Q & A and a book signing.

Thursday, November 3
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque County Library, Asbury Branch
5290 Grand Meadow Dr
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Sy will present The Soul of an Octopus, followed by Q&A and a book signing.

Friday and Saturday, November 18-19
Woodstock, Ct.
Woodstock’s One Book, One Community
Bracken Library
All of Woodstock is reading about octopuses! Sy will be speaking and offering activities for the Academy, for the community at large, and on Saturday morning from 9-10, a special program for kids. The November 18 evening community program, 7 p.m.-8:30, includes a Powerpoint talk, Q & A and book signing.

Monday, November 21
Atlanta, Ga.
Georgia World Congress Center
Sy will speak at the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents for the National Council of Teachers of English workshop—and take some time out to visit with the aquarium’s whale sharks. This year’s theme is celebrating risk-takers!

Thursday, December 8
Rye, NH
Seacoast Science Center and Rye Public Library
An Evenining with Sy Montgomery, 7 to 9 p.m.
Sy will be the speaker at this fund-raiser co-hosted by two of our seacoast’s most important cultural institutions. Sold out.

Monday and Tuesday, October 3 and 4
Moscow, ID
University of Idaho
Monday 7- 8 p.m. keynote address, followed by Q & A and book signing
Tuesday classroom visits at 9-10:30, 11-12, and then lunch with students.

Monday, October 17
Ambler, PA
Shady Grove Elementary School
9 a.m. –  3 p.m.
Sy will give presentations on her work to grades k-5

Tuesday, October 18
Blue Bell, PA
Blue Bell Elementary School
9 a.m. –  3 p.m.
Sy will give presentations on her work to grades k-5

Wednesday, November 2
Woodbury, MN
RH Stafford Library
8595 Central Park Place
6:30-7:15 p.m.
Sy will give an evening presentation to be recorded as a series podcast, followed by Q & A and book signing

Fall 2015

Wednesday, Sept. 16
New England Aquarium IMAX Theater,
1 Central Wharf, Boston
7 p.m.
Illustrating their conversation with glorious underwater images, Sy and photographer Keith Ellenbogen will talk about their expedition with octopus scientists to French Polynesia and their new book for young readers, The Octopus Scientists. Book sale and signing afterwards. $5 admission. More details here.

Monday, Sept. 21
Moultonborough, NH
Annual library benefit lunch
Bald Peak Colony Club
cash bar at noon; luncheon at 12:30
Sy’s octo tales and images will enliven the calamari-free lunch
Tickets ($35) on sale at the library

Thursday, October 8
* * * WORLD OCTOPUS DAY! * * *
Friday, October 9
Utah Council of the International Reading Association
Sheraton Hotel
Salt Lake City, Utah
at noon, Sy will speak on her new octopus books at lunch, followed by a signing at the Houghton Mifflin booth at 1 p.m.

Monday, October 26
New England Library Association
Radisson Hotel
Manchester. NH
noon
Sy is the luncheon speaker for this great annual gathering of librarians. She will be sharing tales and scenes from her travels around the world with tigers, apes, tree kangaroos, pink dolphins, snow leopards, tarantulas, octopuses and one very good, good pig. A selection of her titles will be available for sale and signing after her talk.

Tuesday, November 17
National Book Awards Finalists Reading
The New School, New York City
66 W. 12thSt.Auditorium Alvin Johnson/J.M. Kaplan Hall, 1st floor
7 p.m.
Tickets cost $10 and must be purchased in advance: https://events.newschool.edu/event/national_book_foundation_reading

Sy and the other finalists in all categories for the National Book Awards will reading a 3-4 minute selections from their books.

Friday, November 20
Miami Book Fair
Miami Dade College, Miami, Florida
Chapman Conference Center
300 NE 2nd Avenue, Building 3, 2nd floor, Room 3210
6-8 p.m.
As part of the Miami Book Fair, Sy and all winners, finalists and longlisters for the National Book Award will read from their work. Tickets are $12. More info: http://miamibookfair.com/event/an-evening-with-the-national-book-awards-winners-and-finalists/
Stay tuned for more events that weekend with Sy at the Miami Book Fair TBA!

Saturday, November 21
National Council of Teachers of English annual meeting — via Skype
Westin Minneapolis
88 S. 6th St
Minneapolis, Minnesota
10:45 a.m.
Via Skype (since she’ll be at the Miami Book Fair) Sy will join fellow panelists Loree Griffee Burns, Chris Barton, Sarah Albee and Laura Purdie Salas along with Chair Alyson Beecher to share research tips that teachers can take back to the classrooms.

Monday, December 7
Albee Phillips Kitchens
83 West Pearl Street
Nashua, NH
7 p.m.
Sy will be discussing The Soul of an Octopus with Powerpoint images, a Question and Answer session, and a sale and signing afterwards. All books sold benefit Nashua Area Humane Society.

Wednesday, December 9
Porter Square Books
25 White Street
Cambridge Ma
7 p.m.
Sy and underwater photographer Keith Ellenbogen will discuss and show images from their book for young readers, The Octopus Scientists.


Octopus Book Tour 2015

Wednesday, May 13
Harris Center for Conservation Education
(Co-sponsored by the Hancock Library)
Hancock, NH
7 p.m.
Sy celebrates publication of her two new books, Soul of an Octopus and The Octopus Scientists with a PowerPoint talk about her three years of research into the mind of a mollusk. Q & A and book sale and signing afterwards.

Thursday, May 14
New England Aquarium
IMAX theater
1 Central Wharf
Boston, MA
7 p.m.
As part of the New England Aquarium’s lecture series, Sy will speak in depth about her octopus odyssey, much of which took place right here! Many of the people in the book will be present and will sign the book, too, if you wish! Free, but please pre-register here.

Friday, May 15
New Hampshire School Librarians’ Annual Conference
Radisson Hotel
Manchester, NH
9:45 book signing, talk 10:15-11:15, then another book signing till 2
Sy will speak about her two new books with librarians and leave plenty of time for informal chat as well. Books will be available for sale and signing.

Wednesday, May 20
William Batchelder Library
12 Chase Hill Rd.
East Andover, NH
7 p.m.
Sy will give an illustrated talk on The Soul of an Octopus and The Octopus Scientists, followed by book sale and signing.

Saturday, May 23
Toadstool Bookshop
Depot Square, Peterborough, NH
11 a.m.
Sy will be reading from both her new books, concentrating on the part of her research that lead her to Moorea in French Polynesia. This is a different talk from the one at the Harris Center. Books available for sale and signing.

Tuesday, June 2
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
Vancouver, BC, Canada
845 Avison Way
9 a.m.
With three of the book’s main stars present, we’ll launch Sy’s new book for children, The Octopus Scientists. Program will feature a PowerPoint and talk featuring Dr. Jennifer Mather, Dr. David Scheel, and Keely Langford as well as Sy. The three researchers will be happy to answer questions and sign books, too! A second talk is planned at 10 a.m. for schoolchildren. Books will be available for sale in the gift shop.

Thursday, June 4
Seattle Town Hall
1119 Eighth Avenue (at Seneca)
Seattle, WA
7:30 p.m.
PowerPoint talk on The Soul of the Octopus and The Octopus Scientists, Q & A, books for sale and signing.

Sunday, June 7
Santa Barbara Zoo
Santa Barbara, California
7 p.m.
Doors open at 6:15, though, so guests can check out the adjoining art gallery and enjoy a cash bar and appetizers before Sy’s powerpoint lecture on her octopus odyssey, Q & A, and book signing.

Tuesday, June 9
Denver Museum Of Nature And Science
2001 Colorado Blvd
7 p.m.
PowerPoint talk on Sy’s octopus books, followed by Q & A and book signing.

Thursday, June 11
Ohio State University Fawcett Center
2400 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio
Sponsored by Columbus Zoo
7 p.m.
Sy will speak on her octopus books with PowerPoint images, with Q & A and a book signing to follow.

Friday, June 12
Milwaukee Public Museum
800 West Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI
7 p.m.
Sy will give her PowerPoint and lecture on her octopus odyssey. Q & A and book sale and signing to follow.

Thursday, June 18
Gibson’s Bookstore
45 Main St.
Concord, NH
7 p.m.
Sy will speak about and read from her two new octopus books, then sign and personalize copies.

Tuesday, July 7
Wilton Library
Wilton, NH
7 p.m.
Sy will show her PowerPoint on her octopus research, with Q & A and book signing afterwards.

Friday, July 10
Jabberwocky Bookshop
Tannery Shopping Center, 50 Water St #22
Newburyport, MA
7 p.m.
Sy will read from both The Soul of an Octopus and The Octopus Scientists. Signing afterwards.

Thursday, July 23
Oakland University, Rockland, MI

Saturday July 25
Bookstock in Woodstock, VT
Norman Williams Library, 10 The Green
1 p.m.
Sy will give a PowerPoint talk on The Soul of an Octopus, with Q & A and book signing afterward.

Thursday, July 30
Westmoreland Library
Westmoreland, NH
33 South Village Road
6:30 pm
Sy will give a PowerPoint talk on The Soul of an Octopus, with Q & A and book signing afterward.

September 21
Moultonborough Public Library, NH