Heather Mateus Sappenfield

As someone who has taught middle school, high school and college, Heather loves Author Visits, Workshops, and Book Club Meetings with readers of all ages. Her tiny log home in Vail is nestled near Colorado’s center, thus she's happy to drive to most parts of the state. She also loves airplanes and traveling to new places. All of the content listed below can be tailored to fit your group’s grade or maturity level, and to fulfill curriculum requirements. 

For 2022-23  Heather will be offering the following:

THE RIVER BETWEEN HEARTS

Reading Enrichment Materials

FREE for folks who have purchased the book.  Inquire here.

Virtual Author Q&A (20 minutes)

FREE for classes or groups who have read The River Between Hearts

*see details below

In-Person or Virtual Author Visits: Lively Content, Q & A, Book Signing (45-60 minutes)

 **see details and pricing below

•  Journey to You, Here, Now (all ages)

An exploration of this question: How did you come to be here in America? After an author read of the novel’s initial chapters, Heather will share how her family history led to her life in the United States, and why Mateus is such an important part of her name. Participants will then explore, and perhaps share, their own family histories. Finally, they will lodge their own history—via visualization or writing their own opening scene—in the larger contexts of their classroom, their school, their community, and their nation.

• Journey of the Colorado River & the River of You (all ages)

A discussion of the role of rivers in The River Between Hearts, followed by a look at the route and history of the Colorado River from its headwaters amid alpine peaks to its mouth amid the Sonoran desert. Participants will learn this river’s many names across cultures and time, why it was dubbed “public enemy number one,” and its fate ever since. They’ll then metaphorically consider their own life as a river.

• Journey to Compassion (all ages)

A discussion of the how The River Between Hearts defines and illustrates Rill’s journey to compassion, followed by an exploration of what compassion actually means in our daily lives. How do we identify, act upon, and embody it in a world that often feels overwhelming and intimidating? How is it present locally and globally? 

• Journey through Loss (all ages)

A discussion of Rill’s and Perla’s journey through loss, followed by a look at the nuanced differences between sadness, grief and depression. Participants will then consider their own losses, then the losses of others locally, then globally. Afterward, participants will reflect upon their own feelings using all their senses, and explore the steps toward healing within themselves or others.

•  Host’s Choice (all ages)

 **$100 additional fee for creation of content

 A custom-made visit for your group.

LYRICS FOR ROCK STARS

Virtual Author Q&A (20 minutes)

FREE for classes, book clubs, or groups who have read Lyrics for Rock Stars

*see details and pricing below

In-Person or Virtual Author Visits: Lively Content, Q & A, Book Signing (45-60 minutes)

*see details and pricing below

*PRICING

Virtual Visit (1 session with mementos and personalized signed book plates mailed to you)  $150

    —alternative—buy 5 or more copies of Heather's books for a free visit

In-Person Visit (1 session with mementos)  $250***

    —alternative—buy 10 or more copies of Heather's books for a free visit

In-Person Visit/Half-Day (2 sessions with mementos)  $350***

    —alternative—buy 20 or more copies of Heather's books for a free visit

In-Person Visit/Full Day (3 sessions with mementos, lunch with small group)  $500***

    —alternative—buy 30 or more copies of Heather's books for a free visit

***In-Person Visits farther than 100 miles from Vail require travel ($.55 mile or airfare) and lodging reimbursement.

Need a reduced-fee visit? 

Please don't be shy!  Author Visits and Workshops should be accessible for everybody!

Have questions or need to schedule an Author Visit or Workshop? Inquire here.

"It's not everyday that one has the opportunity to learn the craft of storytelling from an award-winning novelist, but that's exactly what Heather shares with great skill and passion. She effortlessly illustrates "how to" mechanics through diverse, entertaining, immersion-based teaching strategies, and she never loses sight of participant individuality and her desire to develop each unique voice to its full storytelling potential through engagement and critique. Warm and welcoming, Heather makes readily accessible her knowledge and personal growth experiences as a writer, paving a path for others. She brings humor, insight, challenge and encouragement to her workshop; every meeting flies by, leaving participants armed with actionable tools and spirited empowerment." 

        —Cathleen McKinzie, Workshop Participant, Colorado Mountain College

“While hosting the teen writer’s workshop ‘The Stories You Crave,’ at the Eagle Public Library, I was so impressed by how quickly Heather was able to engage the teens into brainstorming ideas that sparked their imaginations and tapped into their storytelling skills. Heather is a master storyteller herself and her ability to talk about her craft on a level the kids could relate to was inspiring and fun to watch! Thank you, Heather,  for such a fun evening!” 

        —Dale Green, Teen Services, Eagle Valley Library District

“Heather brings passion to workshop—she loves her craft and it shows. You can hear a pin drop when she leads kids—inspiring and challenging them through prompts and storytelling. Her experience as a teacher shines through!”        

        —Nicole Magistro, Proprietor, The Bookworm of Edwards