Matt Eicheldinger
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Matt Eicheldinger | |
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| Born | Matthew Eicheldinger 1987 (age 37–38) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Concordia University, St. Paul (2009) |
| Occupation(s) | Author, former educator, social media personality |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | matteicheldinger |
Matt Eicheldinger (born c. 1987) is an American author, former middle school teacher, and social media personality. He is best known for his Matt Sprouts series of middle-grade novels and his memoir Sticky Notes: Memorable Lessons from Ordinary Moments. His debut novel became a The New York Times and USA Today bestseller in its first week of publication.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Eicheldinger grew up on Colorado's western slope, where he developed interests in soccer and reading comics.[2] He attended Concordia University in St. Paul on a track scholarship, graduating in 2009.[3] During his college years, he was an eight-time NSIC Champion in men's track and field.[4] In 2024, he was inducted into the Concordia-St. Paul Athletic Hall of Fame.[4]
Teaching career
[edit]After completing his student teaching in Fridley, Minnesota, Eicheldinger began his teaching career in the Wayzata school district, where he taught middle school language arts for over 15 years.[3][5] Known to his students as "Mr. Eich," he became recognized for his storytelling method of teaching and innovative classroom techniques.[6]
During his teaching years, Eicheldinger developed several distinctive practices:
- Created annual cartoon drawings of his students as coloring sheets, incorporating inside jokes and classroom memories[6]
- Maintained a storytelling jar filled with childhood stories to connect with students[7]
- Used sticky notes with encouraging messages for struggling students, particularly a non-verbal student who later revealed she had saved all his notes[1]
Eicheldinger took a leave of absence from teaching to focus on his writing career and conduct author visits across the country.[8]
Writing career
[edit]Early attempts and rejection
[edit]Eicheldinger wrote his first manuscript, Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes, at age 22 in 2010, completing it in under 30 days.[7] The book was originally created as a teaching tool to help him connect with his students by sharing relatable childhood stories.[6]
For the next 15 years, Eicheldinger faced repeated rejection from publishers, receiving over 200 rejection letters from literary agents and publishers.[5][3] During this period, he continued to refine the manuscript while using the stories in his classroom, where they proved highly effective with students.[6]
Self-publishing success
[edit]In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Eicheldinger decided to self-publish through Wise Ink Creative Publishing in Minneapolis.[3] He launched a Kickstarter campaign that was fully funded within 24 hours.[7] The independently published version of Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes went on to win four national awards, including Indie Book of the Year.[2]
Traditional publishing breakthrough
[edit]The success of his self-published work caught the attention of Andrews McMeel Publishing, known for publishing Calvin and Hobbes, Big Nate, and Peanuts.[5] In 2024, Andrews McMeel republished Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes, which became a New York Times and USA Today bestseller in its first week of publication.[1]
Eicheldinger is represented by literary agent Dani Segelbaum of Arc Literary Management.[7]
Published works
[edit]Matt Sprouts series
[edit]- Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes (2021, self-published; 2024, Andrews McMeel Publishing)
- Matt Sprouts and the Day Nora Ate the Sun (September 2024)
- Matt Sprouts and The Search for the Chompy Wompers (Fall 2025, forthcoming)
Adult non-fiction
[edit]- Sticky Notes: Memorable Lessons from Ordinary Moments (October 2024) - USA Today bestseller
Forthcoming works
[edit]- Holes in My Underwear (Elementary/Middle Grade, Summer 2025)
- Poetry book for children (in development)
Social media presence
[edit]Eicheldinger has built a significant following on social media platforms, particularly Instagram and TikTok, where he shares educational content and storytelling.[8] His videos have accumulated over 100 million views across platforms,[8] making him one of the most followed teacher accounts on Instagram with more than 300,000 followers.[3] His viral content has directly contributed to book sales, with one viral video reportedly selling 600 copies in a single weekend.[3]
Writing style and themes
[edit]Eicheldinger's work is characterized by humor, relatable characters, and meaningful life lessons drawn from both his childhood experiences and teaching career.[9] His books are specifically designed for reluctant readers, featuring fast-moving plots and accessible language.[9] The Matt Sprouts series is semi-autobiographical, drawing from Eicheldinger's own childhood experiences growing up as what he describes as "the fastest kid on Colorado's western slope."[3]
His adult work, Sticky Notes, compiles 100 true stories from his 15 years of teaching, focusing on the extraordinary lessons found in ordinary classroom moments.[10]
Reception and impact
[edit]Eicheldinger's work has been praised by fellow authors and educators. Jarrett Krosoczka, New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, described Matt Sprouts as representing "the next star of middle-grade comedy."[11]
His books have been particularly successful with reluctant readers and have gained recognition for bridging entertainment with educational value.[9] The success of his work has led to speaking engagements at schools and educational conferences across the United States.[12]
Personal life
[edit]Eicheldinger resides in Bloomington, Minnesota with his wife and two children.[5] When not writing, he enjoys trail running along the Minnesota River Bottoms.[2] He has maintained his connection to education through author visits and keynote addresses at schools across the country.[8]
See also
[edit]- Matt Sprouts - His bestselling middle-grade book series
- Middle grade fiction
- Children's literature
- Andrews McMeel Publishing
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Former Twin Cities teacher now a New York Times best-selling author: "It's very surreal"". CBS News. Minnesota. October 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Matt Eicheldinger Author Page". Amazon.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g "In Conversation with Author Matt Eicheldinger". Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. March 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "Matt Eicheldinger - Concordia-St. Paul Athletic Hall of Fame". Concordia University, St. Paul Athletics.
- ^ a b c d "Notable Neighbor: Matt Eicheldinger". City of Bloomington MN. February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Matt Eicheldinger on Teaching and Writing". TeachingBooks. February 2024.
- ^ a b c d "About". Matt Eicheldinger.
- ^ a b c d "Matt Eicheldinger". Matt Eicheldinger.
- ^ a b c "Inspiring Interview with Teacher Author Matt Eicheldinger". Imagination Soup. March 22, 2024.
- ^ Sticky Notes: Memorable Lessons from Ordinary Moments. ISBN 1524894354.
- ^ Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes. ISBN 1524888699.
- ^ "Former Middle School Teacher Becomes Best-Selling Author". CCX Media. October 16, 2024.
External links
[edit]| International | |
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| National | |
