“We can’t say enough about our event with Peter Heller. Peter spoke about his book, The Last Ranger, for our 2024 community reads program. Our library has a long history of author events and, without reservation, this was one of the best author visits we’ve ever had. Peter was a compelling and dynamic speaker; he had the room completely enthralled with his reading and talk- there were moments you could have heard a pin drop. Peter was also warm and gracious with everyone he met, giving full time and attention to anyone who wanted to speak to him or get a photo. I couldn’t recommend him enough for a reading program or to speak about the craft and art of being a writer.” — Richmond Memorial Library, 2024
“Peter Heller had our audience eating out of the proverbial palm of his hand! His stories were both entertaining and meaningful, making our attendees laughed, gasp, and nod knowingly along with his messages. That natural charm carried through to his signings and one-on-one interactions with fans, leaving each person with a sense of connection. We were honored to host him!” — South Dakota Humanities Council, 2024
“Peter Heller is a profound, humorous, and enormously entertaining public speaker who has held our audiences at the National Writers Series, ages 20 to 70’s, spell-bound. Peter stands and holds the room captive with his voice and skill as an oral storyteller. At the National Writers Series, the room paused when he paused, hanging on a next word. It was quite incredible. On the page, he’s more than amazing in his language; in the room, he’s just as amazing. He appeals to broad and varied interests— teachers, readers, book club members, adventurers, working people, high school and college students, and academics. In this, he’s a rare find, a storyteller with a jeweler’s eye for detail and the thrill-seeking heart of an adventurer. We’ve heard him offer expert guidance to fans of literary fiction studying the craft; he offers insights borne of hard-won experience to naturalists wanting engagement with the wild; and to anyone who’s facing the unknown, at home or outdoors— heartbreak, wet firewood, wet hiking boots, threats, despair, elation, uncertainty, success, unpaid bills, riches, the hunger for homecoming, the hunger for solitude, the hunger to express what it feels like to be alive right now, the hunger for connection with one another, Peter talks about finding resiliency and courage in the midst of this. His message is clear: our lives are our stories. Tell them. Tell your life. Listening to Peter Heller, you’re inspired to do just that.” — Doug Stanton, Co-Director, National Writers Series, 2024
“Peter Heller is a charismatic speaker who can can go form poignant to hilarious is a matter of a few sentences, bringing the audience along as he talks about everything form the writing process to his life as a kayaker to the state of national parks in modern America to the poetry of Keats.” — Wilkinson Public Library, 2024
“It was an absolute blast last week to be in the room at your author talk at the Boulder Bookstore and meet you afterwards. You delivered such terrific energy, laughter and insights! The assembled, standing-room-only audience was gripped by your presence – and radio and podcast listeners, I’m sure, will also hang on every word. Thank you for a special evening.” — Chris Barge, Boulder Public Library, 2023
“Peter Heller is such a down to earth, funny and smart human being. He has such a way with words and is able to share the stories of his life and writing so beautifully, but not in a way that made any of us feel dumb. He was so generous with his time and so sociable with the patrons. He inscribed each book separately and took time to talk with everyone for as long as they wanted. He was a delight to have.” — Jess Herzog, Spartanburg Public Libraries, 2023
“Peter Heller was easy going, approachable, flexible, and engaging. His presentations were relevant, whether to a small group of adults or a large audience of high schoolers. You could hear a pin drop when Heller talked to and held the attention of more than 600 students in our high school auditorium.” — Highland Park Literary Festival, 2023
“Peter Heller is a magnificent speaker who will hold an audience entraptured for an hour at a time. From his excellent reading voice, to larger than life anecdotes, Peter will make you laugh and cry and wish you had learned to kayak.” — Colorado Library Association
“Peter was a thoughtful and engaging presenter. He hooked our crowd from when he first sat down to read and had their full attention through the end of the talk. He truly is a masterful storyteller and weaves an explanation of his craft and process beautifully into his stories, both in and off the page.” — Gunnison Library
“Peter Heller is an engaging storyteller both on the page and in front of an audience. The stories and anecdotes he shared with our audience had them in stitches and wiping away the tears. Peter is a charming presenter and so kind to his fans. The audience was delighted by Peter’s program and we can’t wait to invite him back.” — Bemis Public Library
“Everyone in the room instantly was entranced when Peter Heller spoke at the Park Hill Branch of Denver Public Library. His love of language and storytelling shines through, and his gracious and easy-going style made the audience feel like they were in the presence of a friend. From reciting ancient Chinese poetry to reading a passage from The River, Peter gained attendees’ close attention and kept it for the entirety of the presentation. We can’t wait to host him again!” — Denver Public Library
“Peter Heller is a fantastic speaker. We brought him in for Beaver County BookFest and he totally charmed the crowd at our opening night event. Not only is he a great storyteller, but he also has a wonderful sense of humor that makes him all the more likable.” — Beaver County BookFest
“Peter Heller instantly endeared himself to our students. His natural, easygoing style of storytelling, his infectious giggle, and his willingness to treat these teenagers like adults fully won them over. Whether it was in front of 175 students and teachers in the theater or in the more intimate break out sessions in the library, Peter’s writing advice, captivating stories, and down-to-earth humor provided our community the opportunity to see writing not just as a career, but as a natural part of a thoughtful life.” — Vail Mountain School
“Peter Heller is a wonderful keynote speaker. At the Jackson Hole Writers Conference he had the crowd laughing one moment and crying the next, then laughing thirty seconds later. He was the hit of the conference, not just his keynote but also the workshop he did for us. He was giving and accessible. We are very happy he came and we recommend him highly.” — Jackson Hole Writers Conference
“Peter is a captivating storyteller, bringing to life not only the natural world he loves and the characters that pass through it, but also how they shape his journeys. His ability to transport an audience through time, through place, and through the eyes of one who has wandered this globe is compelling. He moves easily from the humor and self-deprecations of mishaps in the wild to the deep reservoirs of what it means to be a steward of our natural heritage.” — National Forest Foundation
“Our student body saw a writer who is gregarious, friendly, deeply sincere and thoughtful, but who also loves to have fun. I have had a blast getting to know Peter and his works, learning alongside my students and peers.” — Kingswood Oxford School
“Peter Heller is a masterful storyteller who never fails to amaze his audience. He has a way of engaging throughout his presentation with charm and wit. Real and down to earth Peter is a joy and we loved havinghim at the library.” — Douglas County Libraries
“From his books to his presentation, you are immediately taken to the great outdoors. Peter wowed the audience and kept them entertained, even in the book signing line. His energy was boundless!” — Marion County Library
