To arrange a speaking engagement, please contact Erin Patterson at erinmeipatterson@gmail.com.
2025
Monday, September 8
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder Bookstore
1107 Pearl Street
5:30 p.m.
Matt and Sy will be discussing their “Turtle Trifecta” of books, with a special focus on their newest, the picture book The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle — one day before official publication. This is a free event and both adults and kids are welcome, but please register here.
Tuesday, September 9
Helena, Montana
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
512 Logan Street
6 p.m.
Matt and Sy will be talking turtles, and featuring the new book, The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle. All three turtle books (two for kids, one for adults) will be available for sale and signing.
Wednesday, September 10 7-8:30pm
Fact & Fiction
220 N Higgins Ave
Missoula, MT 59802Event link: https://factandfictionbooks.com/event/2025-09-10/sy-montgomery-reading-and-signing
Thursday, September 11 6-7pm
Chapter One Bookstore event @ O'Hara Commons & Sustainability Center Lawn
111 S. 4th St
Hamilton, MT 59840Event link: Sy Montgomery with Illustrator Matt Patterson | Chapter One Book Store
Saturday, September 13
Tuftonboro, NH
Camp Belknap, 11 Chase Point Road Mirror Lake, NH 03853
11:30 a.m.
Matt and Sy Montgomery will be the featured author and illustrator duo showing images from their “turtle trifecta” of books at the annual Tuftonboro Library fundraiser and author luncheon. Books will be available for sale and signing. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at the Tuftonboro Free Library or visit www.tuftonborolibrary.org for information on purchasing by mail. Price includes program and lunch. For more information call the library at 603 569-4256.
Tuesday, Sept. 16
Byfield, Ma.
Governor’s Academy, Wilkie Performing Arts Center, 1 Elm Street
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Essex County Greenbelt Association hosts Matt and Sy as they speak about and share images from their turtle adventures, followed by Q and A and book signings.
Wednesday, September 17
Boston, Mass.
Porter Square Books
1815 Mass Avenue, inside Lesley University’s University Hall
Matt and Sy will be talking turtles and sharing tales from their new book starring Fire Chief, their friend, a 42-pound snapping turtle.
7 p.m.
RSVP here.
Saturday, September 20
Concord, NH
Gibson’s Bookstore
45 South Main Street
11 a.m.
Matt and Sy will be talking turtles and sharing tales from their new book starring Fire Chief, a 42-pound snapping turtle.
Sunday, September 21
Manchester Center, Vermont
Northshire Books
4869 Main St.
3 p.m.
Matt and Sy will be talking turtles and sharing tales from their new book starring Fire Chief, their friend, a 42-pound snapping turtle.
Monday, September 22
Frederick, Maryland
Curious Iguana Bookstore
5-7 p.m.
Curious Iguana Bookstore hosts Sy Matt and Sy for a meet and greet and signing of their new book and previous titles.
Here is a link to the event.
Wednesday, September 24
Plainville, Mass.
An Unlikely Story bookstore
111 South Street
6:30 p.m.
Matt and Sy will discuss and show images from their turtle adventures, with books for sale and signing afterwards.
Monday, September 29
Belfast, Maine
Left Bank Books
Location to be announced
Matt and Sy will be talking turtles, and sign and personalize books afterwards.
6:30 p.m.
Friday, October 10
Hancock, NH
Harris Center
King’s Highway
Matt and Sy will be talking about their turtle friends, showing images of both art and photos, and highlighting The True and Lucky Story of a Turtle, with book sales and signing afterwards.
7-8 p.m.
Saturday, October 18
Cumberland, Rhode Island
In concert with our friends at Turtle Rescue League, Matt and Sy visit Fire Chief the snapping turtle’s old fire station, whose pond was his home for over 50 years, and meet the firefighters involved with his rescue! They’ll be giving a talk to celebrate the new book about Fire Chief’s life, The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle.
Time: TBA
Saturday, November 8
Indianapolis, IN
Association for Middle Level Education Annual Conference
Matt and Sy will be giving the keynote address. More info to come!
Saturday, January 25
Bridgewater, MA
Bridgewater State University
100 Burrill Avenue (Moakley Building)
The Bridgewater Public Library hosts An Afternoon with Sy Montgomery and Matt
1-3 p.m.
Matt & Sy will discuss their books Of Time and Turtles and The Book of Turtles
Books will be available for sale and signing afterwards from the indie bookseller, An Unlikely Story
The event and parking at the Moakley Center lot are free.
Saturday, April 19
Rockport, Ma.
Matt and Sy Montgomery will be talking turtles at the finale of Cape Ann’s campaign to raise awareness about climate change, sustainable, and connection to the natural world. Stay tuned for details—the event should take place midday.
Thursday, May 15
Sunapee, NH
Abbott Library
Matt and Sy will be presenting. More info to come.
Thursday, June 5 and Friday June 6
Webster, MA
Gladys Kelly Library
Matt and Sy will be presenting turtle programs for both adults and children. More info to come.
Monday, July 14
Boston, MA
Guild of Natural Science Illustrators’ 2025 GNSI Visual SciComm Conference
Matt will be speaking about his work, process and travels at this year’s conference.
Saturday, September 13
Tuftonboro, NH
Matt and Sy will be the featured authors at the annual Tuftonboro Library fundraiser and author luncheon. Stay tuned for details.
2024
Wednesday, Sept 18
Montpelier, VT
Bear Pond Books
78 Main St
7 p.m.
Matt and Sy 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.
Matt and Sy 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.
Matt and Sy 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.
Thursday, October 17
Danville, CA
Rakestraw Books
3 Railroad Ave
Time TBA
Matt and Sy 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
Stay tuned for more details of a California appearance on behalf of Turtle Survival Alliance celebrating Sy and Matt’s new paperback Of Time and Turtles.
Wednesday, October 23
Duxbury, MA
Duxbury Senior Center
10 Mayflower St
Matt and Sy 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
—————————————————————
Monday, April 1
New York City, NY
Yale Club
Matt and Sy will be in town to receive a national award to be announced! Stay tuned!
Saturday, April 20th
Keene NH, 12 Emerald St, Keene, NH 03431
The Toadstool Bookshop
Matt will be speaking and signing the re-release of Freshwater Fish of the Northeast at 4pm.
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!
Stay tuned for details.
Saturday May 4
Lakeville, MA
Matt will be speaking at the GNSI New England Chapter’s 2024 Annual themed art exhibit from 11-1. Stay tuned for more details.
Saturday, May 11th
Peterborough, 12 Depot St, Peterborough, NH 03458
The Toadstool Bookshop 11am
Matt will be speaking and signing the re-release of Freshwater Fish of the Northeast at 11am.
Monday, May 13
Guilford, CT
Guilford Free Library
Lana Ferguson Literary Festival
Matt and Sy will talk about The Book of Turtles in an afterschool program for children 4:30-5:30
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.
TBA
Wednesday, May 15th
RI
Matt will be speaking for the Tropical Fish Society
of Rhode Island. More details to come soon!
Saturday, May 18th
Matt will be speaking at the NH Fish & Game’s “Lets go Fishing” Banquet. More details to come soon!
Sometime between Friday June 28-July 2
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. Stay tuned for details!
2023
Tuesday, Sept. 19
Hancock, NH
Harris Center for Conservation Education
King’s Highway
Matt and Sy 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.
Thursday, September 21
Boston, MA
New England Aquarium IMAX theatre
As part of the aquarium’s annual lecture series, Matt and Sy will share stories and images from their new book Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell.
6:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 22
South Portland, Maine
Books A Million
430 Gorham Road
Matt and Sy 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
Matt and Sy will be discussing, reading from, signing Of Time and Turtles
11 a.m.
…and later that same day:
Nashua, NH
Balin Books
375 Amherst St, 101 A
Matt and Sy will discuss their new book Of Time and Turtles, with book sale and signing afterwards.
2 p.m.
Sunday, September 24
West Lebanon, NH
Books A Million
200 South Main Street
Matt and Sy 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
Matt and Sy 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
Matt and Sy will discuss their new book Of Time and Turtles, with book sale and signing afterwards.
Sunday, October 1
Exeter, NH
Water Street Books
125 Water Street
Matt and Sy will discuss their new book Of Time and Turtles, with book sale and signing afterwards.
3 p.m.
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
Matt and Sy will discuss their new book Of Time and Turtles, with book sale and signing to follow.
An evening event, TBA
Saturday, October 21
East Sandwich, MA
Titcomb’s Bookstore
432 MA 6-A
Matt and Sy will discuss their new book Of Time and Turtles, with book sale and signing to follow.
TBA
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, more TBA
Friday, October 27
Seattle, WA
Third Place Books/Ravenna branch
2504 20th St SE
Matt and Sy 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
Matt and Sy discuss and read from their new book, with sale and signing to follow.
6:30 p.m.
Sunday, 29 October
Powell’s Books
1005 West Burnside St.
(This is Powell’s flagship location downtown, with over one million books!)
Matt and Sy 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
Matt and Sy will speak about their 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.
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.
More information to come
Thursday, November 9
New York City
The Society of Illustrators
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
I will be the banquet speaker at the TTPG conference.
Spring 2023
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.
Saturday, May 6
The Toadstool Bookstore
12 Depot Square
Peterborough, NH 03458
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. Books will be available for sale and signing.
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
Original paintings for The Book of Turtles, with book sale and signing by both the artist and author.
5-7 p.m.