Back in high school, I felt like my real life wouldn't begin until I left for college. The waiting was excruciating. But then I realized that my real life was already happening. And while there were lots of things I couldn't control, there were many changes I could make to improve my life.

Your Ideal Life is a presentation designed for teens of all ages. My goal is to motivate participants to identify their goals, then work towards achieving them. I want to inspire teens to turn their dreams into reality. By maximizing positive energy, participants learn how they can improve their lives and the lives of those around them. Working towards goals while trying to make the world a better place is a synergistic approach to creating a happy, productive life.

 

The presentation includes a short workshop component. I guide participants through the process of identifying what's most important to them, both in terms of short- and long-term goals. Everyone then develops a viable plan to take daily steps towards reaching the goal that is most important to them. All participants take away a tangible reminder of their heart's desires and ways to begin making them reality.

My philosophy is that by focusing on the things that matter most to us every day, our thoughts, actions, and words will work together to support our journey. Your Ideal Life helps teens explore what they can do to improve their lives right now and encourages everyone to make positive choices that will shape both their present and future.

Keep Holding On, my new novel, focuses on the consequences of bullying. Issues related to bullying are integrated into this presentation. The book may be used as an additional resource prior to presentations scheduled for 2012-13.

AV requirements: projection equipment able to support MacBook Pro Keynote presentations.

Duration: flexible within the range of 25 minutes to 50 minutes.

Please contact me for rates and availability.

Author photos, set one: [large image] [medium image] [medium image 2] [headshot]

Photo credit for set one: Matthew Rodgers

Author photos, set two: [image 1] [image 2] [image 3] [image 4] [headshot]

Photo credit for set two: Pierre Pettigrew

Susane Colasanti is the author of When It Happens, Take Me There, Waiting for You, Something Like Fate, So Much Closer, and Keep Holding On (June 2012). Susane has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Astrophysics/Earth and Space Science with a minor in psychology. She has a master’s degree from New York University in Science Education 7-12, Teachers of Physics. Before becoming a full-time author, Susane was a high school science teacher for ten years.

As a teenage Jersey girl, Susane felt like her true home was across the water in New York City. The Knowing began when she saw Late Night with David Letterman for the first time in junior high. The show always started by zooming in on the Twin Towers, friends she carries in her heart. She now lives in the West Village.

You can connect with Susane at her website, susanecolasanti.com.

"Colasanti has once again formulated a teen romance that feels realistic, which will make this novel a hit with readers."
- School Library Journal on So Much Closer

"For fans of Sarah Dessen looking for an atypical romance and an authentic teen voice."
- VOYA on So Much Closer

"Colasanti provides credible and engaging character development for each cast member and interactions that spark just the right amount of tension to make this a romantic page-turner."
- Booklist on Something Like Fate

"As a realistic portrayal of first love and BFF betrayal, this hits the mark."
- BCCB on Something Like Fate

"Colasanti has a knack of sustaining the heart-pounding suspense of young love for the length of a novel while managing to make it read, charmingly, like a conversation."
- The Philadelphia Inquirer on Waiting for You

"Colasanti presents an authentic picture of how complicated it is to be a teenager, especially one in love."
- Publishers Weekly on Waiting for You

"A mix of self-discovery, self-deprecation, humor, and teenage angst. Teens will relate to the circumstances and connect with the realistic, sympathetic characters."
- VOYA on Take Me There

"Each character's voice is strong, and the dialogue is stolen right from the corridors of a contemporary high school."
- Booklist on Take Me There

"Colasanti obviously remembers the kind of love that makes your insides churn, belly flips and all. Her take on young romance is insightful, fresh and fun, her characters fully formed and likable."
- The Washington Post on When It Happens

"Realistic dialogue, multi-layered characters, musical references and issues that matter most to teens make this story happen. Colasanti knows how teens operate."
- Kirkus Reviews on When It Happens