As a Minnesota-based author, historian, educator, and publisher, I bring a wide range of expertise to schools, libraries, museums, book festivals, conferences, and other organizations seeking dynamic, historically-informed presentations.

Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful exploration of Minnesota’s past, insight into the writing and publishing process, or a compelling conversation about Indigenous resistance and settler colonialism, I offer both in-person and virtual presentations tailored to your audience. My events often include Q&A sessions, book readings, and lively discussions designed to engage, inform, and inspire.

I’m currently booking for author talks, historical lectures, craft workshops, classroom visits, conference panels, and professional development sessions. I also welcome invitations to appear on podcasts, interviews, or media programs related to history, storytelling, or publishing.

Presentation topics include:

• The U.S.–Dakota War of 1862
• The Sandy Lake Tragedy and Ojibwe resistance
• Writing historical fiction with integrity and depth
• Understanding the publishing process for aspiring authors

A full list of presentation descriptions is available upon request.

Fees & Availability

Speaking fees vary depending on the event type, location, and format (virtual or in-person). I’m happy to provide a rate sheet or discuss options that fit your budget. Discounted or no-fee programs may be available for classrooms and community organizations.

To invite me to speak or collaborate, please fill out the contact form below or email me directly at colin@colinmustful.com. I look forward to working with you to create an engaging and meaningful experience for your audience.

2026 Events

Friday – Sunday, March 27-29
History Through Fiction Conference
Wylie Center & Tupper Manor
295 Hale Street, Beverly, MA 01915

Saturday, July 11, 11am – 7pm
Inbound Brew Co Book Fair for Grown Ups
MN State Fair Grandstand

Monday, August 31, 10:30am – 11:30am
Author Presentation – Fiction Rooted in Minnesota’s Complex History
Minnetonka Community Center
14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345

Understanding the U.S. – Dakota War of 1862
4-Week Course
Wednesdays, October 7 – October 28, 1pm – 3pm
City of Minnetonka Community Center Minnetonka Mills Room
14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345

Saturday, October 24, 11:00am – 6:00pm
Booktoberfest for Grown-Ups
Grandstand, Minnesota State Fairgrounds

Saturday, November 7, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Twin Cities Book Festival
Union Depot, St. Paul, MN 55101

Tuesday, December 1, 10:00am – 11:00am
Author Presentation – Fiction Rooted in Minnesota’s Complex History
RidgePointe Senior Living
12600 Marion Ln W, Minnetonka, MN 55305

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2025 Past Events

Saturday, November 8, @ 10am – 5pm
Twin Cities Book Festival
Union Depot in St. Paul
214 4th Street East St. Paul, MN 55101

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2024 Past Events

Saturday, October 19, @ 10am – 5pm
Twin Cities Book Festival
Minnesota State Fair Grounds, Progress Center
1265 Snelling Ave N, St Paul, MN 55108

Saturday, June 22, @ 6:30pm
Midwest Book Awards Gala
Mall of America, Parkview Meeting + Event Center
Nickelodeon Universe, 5204 Center Court

Wednesday, March 13, @ 11am
Author Presentation
Apple Valley Senior Center
14601 Hayes Road, Apple Valley, 55124

Thursday, February 8, @ 12pm
Lunchbox Lecture Series
Murray County Historical Society, 2480 29th Street, Slayton, MN 56172

Friday, February 9, @ 10am – 4pm
Nobles County Library Local Author Book Fair
407 12th St, Worthington, MN 56187

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2023 Past Events

Thursday, August 10, @ 1:30pm
Litchfield Civil War Roundtable
Meeker County Museum at the G.A.R. Hall, 308 N. Marshall Ave, Litchfield, MN

Friday, September 15, @ 6pm
Taylors Falls Historical Society Annual Fall Dinner
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Taylors Falls Memorial Community Center, 312 W Government St, Taylors Falls, MN 55084

Friday, September 22 – Sunday, September 24
South Dakota Festival of Books
Deadwood, South Dakota, 57732

Thursday, September 28, @ 4pm
Poetry & Prose in the Parlor
Octagon House Museum, 1004 3rd St, Hudson, WI 54016

Friday, October 6, @ 6:30pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Becker County Historical Society & Museum, 714 Summit Ave, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

Saturday, October 14, @ 10am – 5pm
Twin Cities Book Festival
Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Progress Center, 1615 Randall Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108

Monday, October 23, @ 6pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, 330 8th St, Walnut Grove, MN 56180

Monday, October 30, @ 1pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Lamberton Public Library, 101 2nd Ave E, Lamberton, MN 56152

Monday, October 30, @ 6pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Tracy Public Library, 189 Third Street, Tracy, MN 56175

Tuesday, October 31, @ 6pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Tyler Golf Club, 420 County Road 7, Tyler, MN 56178

Wednesday, November 1, @ 6:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Siverson Public Library, 100 W. Garfield St., Hendricks, MN 56136

Thursday, November 2, @ 1:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Minneota Public Library, 200 N. Jefferson Street, Minneota, MN 56264

Thursday, November 2, @ 6:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Marshall-Lyon County Library, 201 C Street, Marshall, MN 56258

Monday, November 6, @ 6:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Wells Public Library, 54 1st Street SW, Wells, MN 56097

Thursday, November 9, @ 6:30pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Brookings Public Library, 515 3rd St, Brookings, SD 57006

Monday, November 13, @ 6:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Rock County Community Library, 201 W. Main St., Luverne, MN 56156

Tuesday, November 14, @ 12:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Heron Lake Library, 401 9th Street, Heron Lake, MN 56137

Tuesday, November 14, @ 3:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Lakefield Library, 410 Main Street, Lakefield, MN 56150

Tuesday, November 14, @ 6:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Jackson County Library, 311 3rd Street, Jackson, MN 56143

Wednesday, November 15, @ 6:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Meinders Community Library, 220 3rd Ave SE, Pipestone, MN 56164

Thursday, November 16, @ 1:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Cottonwood County Historical Society, 812 4th Ave, Windom, MN 56101

Thursday, November 16, @ 6:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Mountain Lake Public Library, 1054 4th Ave, Mountain Lake, MN 56159

Friday, November 17, @ 1:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Wabasso Public Library, 1248 Oak St., Wabasso, MN 56293

Friday, November 17, @ 6:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Edgerton Public Library, 811 1st Ave West, Edgerton, MN 56128

Saturday, December 2, @ 1:00pm
Author Presentation – Reclaiming Mni Sota: Changing the Past, Connecting with the Present
Reception and Author Q&A to follow at the Beltrami County History Center
Bemidji Public Library, 509 America Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601

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2022 Past Events

Thursday, June 16, @ 7pm
Moved and Removed: Tying the City of Winnebago to the History of the Ho-Chunk
Winnebago Muir Library, 36 Main Street North, Winnebago, MN 56098

Monday, June 20, @ 10am
The U.S. – Dakota War of 1862: A Historical Context
Ivanhoe Public Library, 401 N. Harold Street, Ivanhoe, MN 56142

Monday, June 20, @ 1pm
The U.S. – Dakota War of 1862: A Historical Context
Lake Benton Public Library, 110 Benton Street, MN 56149

Monday, June 20, @ 6pm
The U.S. – Dakota War of 1862: A Historical Context
Tyler Public Library, 230 North Tyler Street, Tyler, MN 56178

Sunday, June 26, @ 10am
Once a Trail, Always a Trail: A History of the Root River Trail System Before Trains and Bikes
Peterson Station Museum, 228 Mill Street, Peterson, MN 55962

Saturday, July 16, @ 10:30am
Resisting Removal: The Sandy Lake Tragedy and the Years that Followed
Sherburne County History Center, 10775 27th Ave SE, Becker, MN 55308

Wednesday, July 20, @ 6:30pm
The U.S. – Dakota War of 1862: A Historical Context
Fergus Falls Public Library, 205 East Hampden Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Tuesday, August 16, @ 6:30pm
The U.S. – Dakota War of 1862: A Historical Context
New Ulm Public Library, 17 North Broadway Street, New Ulm, MN 56073

Friday, August 19, @ 7pm
The U.S. – Dakota War of 1862: A Historical Context
Edina Historical Society, 4711 West 70th Street, Edina, MN 55435

Thursday, November 17, @ 6pm
Author Talk & Visit
Sauk Centre Great River Regional Library, 430 Main Street S., Sauk Centre, MN 56378

Tuesday, November 22, @ 6pm
Author Talk & Visit
Upsala Great River Regional Library, 117 N. Main Street, Upsala, MN 56384

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2021 Past Events

East Troy Community Schools, Virtual School Visit, The Sandy Lake Tragedy and the Years that Followed, East Troy, WI, March 18, 2021.

Octagon House Museum, Virtual Author Visit, From Natives to Lumbermen: The Central Importance of a Border Town, Thursday, April 22, 7pm Central – Event Link – Learn more by visiting the event page at the Octagon House Museum 

Octagon House Museum, Annual Meeting, Author Talk & Signing, Hudson, WI, Thursday, August 26, 2021

Deep Valley Book Festival, Loose Moose Saloon & Conference Center, Mankato, MN, Saturday, October 2, 2021 – https://www.deepvalleybookfestival.com/

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2020 Past Events

Highview Middle School, New Brighton, MN, January 10, 2020, 8am—2pm

Delano Public Library, Delano, MN, Saturday, January 25, 2020, 10:30am

AWP Conference and Bookfair, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX, Thursday, March 5 – Saturday, March 7, 9am–5pm

Octagon House Museum, Virtual Author Event via Google Meet (https://meet.google.com/yqx-dpog-dgj), Thursday, May 14, 7pm

Chippewa Valley Museum, Live Virtual Presentation, Tuesday, June 23, 6:30pm, Click here to join

South Dakota Festival of Books, Virtual Exhibitor, October 1 – October 24, Online @ http://sdhumanities.org/festival-of-books/exhibitors/

Brookings Public Library, Virtual Presentation, The U.S.–Dakota War of 1862: A Historical Context, Monday, November 2, 6:30pm Central Time

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2019

Bemidji Public Library (Sponsored by the Beltrami County Historical Society), Monday, March 11, 6pm

Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums Annual Conference, Exhibitor, Treasure Island Resort and Casino Events Center, Wednesday and Thursday, April 24 & 25, 8am – 4pm.

Wells Depot Museum, Great Minnesota Read, Wednesday, May 22, 7pm

Columbia Heights Public Library, Wednesday, June 19, 6pm

Primghar Community Center, Thursday, June 20, 7pm

Gen NB Baker Library, Sutherland, IA, Tuesday, July 9, 6:30pm

Downtown Duluth Public Library, Thursday, July 11, 6pm

Northwoods Art and Book Festival, Hackensack, MN, Saturday, August 10, 9am-3pm

Half Price Books, Roseville, Saturday, August 17, Signing 3pm-5:30pm, Reading 5:30pm-6pm

New Ulm Public Library, Wednesday, August 21, 12pm

Caledonia Public Library, Tuesday, September 24, 6pm

The Bookstore at Fitger’s, Duluth, MN, Saturday, September 27, 4pm-7pm

Madeline Island Museum, Commemoration of the Treaty of 1854, Saturday, September 28, 10am–4pm

Verndale Historical Society, Sunday, September 29, 2pm

Deep Valley Book Festival, Loose Moose Saloon & Conference Center, Mankato, MN, Saturday, October 5, 10am-4pm

Twin Cities Book Festival, Minnesota State Fair Grounds, Saturday, October 12, 10am–5pm

Rotary Club of North St. Paul/Maplewood/Oakdale, Keller Golf Course, October 18, 7am

Lake City Public Library, Tuesday, November 19, 6:30pm 

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2018

Pine River-Backus Elementary School, Thursday, March 8, School Presentation
Sherburne History Center, Tuesday, March 28, 2pm-3pm
Gallery North Open House, Friday, June 1, 3pm-7pm, Bemidji
Pond Dakota House, Sunday, August 19, 2pm-3pm, Bloomington

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2017

Waseca Intermediate School, Monday, March 6, 8am-2pm
Pine River at Lifehouse Coffee Shop, Saturday, March 11, 2pm
Pequot Lakes Community Library, Monday, March 13, 1pm
Walker Public Library, Tuesday, March 14, 1pm
Bemidji Public Library, Tuesday, March 14, 6pm
Blackduck Community Library, Wednesday, March 15, 1pm
Park Rapids Community Library, Thursday, March 16, 1pm
Brainerd Public Library, Thursday, March 16, 5:30pm
Margaret Welch Memorial Library, Longville, Friday, March 17, 2:30pm
Wadena Public Library, Saturday, March 18, 11am
Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Rochester, Sunday, April 30, 9:30am
North Junior High, St. Cloud, Monday, June 5 – Minnesota History Rendezvous
Wabasha County Historical Society, Reads Landing, Sunday, June 11, 2pm
Dyckman Library, Sleepy Eye, MN, Monday, June 12, 6pm
Wadena County Historical Society, Thursday, June 15, 12pm
Princeton Library, Thursday, June 15, 6pm
Belgrade Library, Friday, June 16, 6:30pm
Paynesville Historical Society, Saturday, June 17, 12:30pm
Grove City Public Library, Tuesday, June 20, 7pm
Blooming Prairie Public Library, Wednesday, June 21, 6:30pm
Mower County Historical Society, Thursday, June 22, 12pm
Monticello Library, Thursday, June 22, 6:30pm
St. James Historical Society, Saturday, June 24, 2pm
Cold Spring Area Historical Society, Friday, June 30, 9:30am
Iron Range Historical Society, Annual Picnic at Ely Lake, Wednesday, July 12, 11:30am
Verndale Historical Society Fundraiser, Verndale Community Center, Sunday, September 17, 4pm

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