Meet Paul Barile: Storyteller, Teacher, and the King of Coloring Books
Some people make art with paint. Others create with yarn, wood, or glass. Paul Barile creates with words.
A lifelong storyteller, Paul has been crafting stories for as long as he can remember. As a child, he entertained himself by inventing tales, and as he grew older, writing became an extension of who he is. Armed with matching pens and a notebook always tucked into his pocket, Paul has spent decades exploring the written word as a novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, and today, proudly, the King of Coloring Books.
For Paul, storytelling began with a connection to his father—a great man and an avid reader who helped inspire a lifelong love of books and writing. Over the years, that passion has grown into both a career and an identity. But what truly excites him is helping others discover the storyteller within themselves.
“I am the tour guide through the story bin in your brain,” Paul says.
Through his classes at The 815 Artisan Collective, Paul helps students uncover stories they didn’t even realize they had. His favorite class to teach is memoir writing, where participants often discover that their own experiences are worthy of being shared. Watching someone realize they have a story to tell—and then helping them tell it—is one of his greatest joys.
Paul wants people to know that writing isn’t what some teacher told them it was in high school. Writing can be freeing, creative, emotional, and deeply rewarding. As he puts it, “There is joy in the release of the words onto the page.”
When he’s not teaching, you’ll find Paul writing, revising, marketing, pitching projects, and, of course, fueled by plenty of coffee and music—the two constants in his creative process.
One of Paul’s favorite sayings perfectly captures his philosophy:
“Reading is inhaling and writing is exhaling.”
We’re excited to welcome Paul to The 815 Artisan Collective, where you’ll find his books available for purchase in the shop. Whether you’re looking for poetry, stories, coloring books, or a new favorite read, Paul’s work offers something for readers and creatives alike.
Paul will also be teaching creative writing classes at The 815 Artisan Collective, helping aspiring writers discover their own voices, unlock their creativity, and bring the stories inside them to life. Whether you’ve been writing for years or have never put pen to paper, Paul’s classes are designed to encourage, inspire, and guide you on your storytelling journey.
For Paul, there may be no greater reward than helping someone realize they have a story worth telling—and then seeing them share it with the world.
Stop by The 815 Artisan Collective to meet Paul, browse his books, and discover the storyteller that’s been inside you all along.
