Lunch & Learn - Navigating Storytelling with Author Peter Arenstam

Join us for an engaging Lunch & Learn with author and storyteller Peter Arenstam.

Peter will reflect on his writing career and the many publishing pathways he has explored—from working with established publishers to experimenting with hybrid and self-publishing opportunities. He will share what he has learned about collaborating with editors, agents, illustrators, and booksellers, and how these relationships shape a book’s journey from draft to finished work. Participants will hear the stories behind some of Peter’s well-known books, including his debut Felix and His Mayflower II Adventure, the four-book series Nicholas: A Massachusetts Tale, and The Mighty Mastiff of the Mayflower. Through these works, Peter has brought maritime adventures and historical tales to life for young readers while navigating the ever-changing landscape of publishing.

Speaker Bio:

Peter’s path began with a degree in philosophy from Bates College, followed by an apprenticeship in traditional boat-building at the Maine Maritime Museum. He went on to care for and sail the iconic Mayflower II for more than twenty years, and later designed and constructed a 38-foot reproduction 17th-century shallop for the Pilgrim John Howland Society. Today, he serves as the Society’s Executive Director, while also sharing his passion for history and storytelling with audiences in schools, libraries, and lecture halls. Along the way, Peter earned his MFA in Creative Writing for Children from Simmons University, further refining his voice as an author.

Peter's books are available for purchase in the Plimoth Patuxet Museum Shop.