82 Authors in One Night
at the East Hampton Library

By Daniel Simone

On Saturday, August 9, on the garden grounds of the East Hampton Library, 82 authors (including many who are well-known, and some, quite famous) will read their works.

It is a tradition that began years ago with late Elaine Benson of The Elaine Benson Gallery. Every May, she invited a variety of authors to her art gallery as a sort of season opener. The writers read from their latest titles, autographed books and held candid discussions with attendees.

This literary custom, as well as others once part of the Hamptons calendar, faded over time. But in 2004, the event got a new life when the administrators of the East Hampton Library organized "Author's Night." The undertaking was a success; in four years, it grew from a smattering of writers to a roster of 82. In fact, the event is now considered by many to be the most significant literary gala in the region. Sheila Rogers, a co-chair for this year's event, summarized, "It's been a joint effort by all of us involved with the library, and I'm really impressed with everyone's hard work."

During the reception under a large tent, authors mix with guests in an effort to introduce themselves and sell their work. All proceeds benefit the library. "Incredibly, this has been the biggest source of revenue for the library," said Steven Gaines, author and WLIU radio program host and one of the event co-chairs, with Diana Dayton Deichert, Jack Kelleher, Doreen A. Niggles and Sheila Rogers.

Alec Baldwin, a fervent supporter of the library, is an honorary co-chair, with authors Robert Caro and Barbara Goldsmith - all will be on hand at the reception. WLIU's Bonnie Grice will broadcast live commentaries and interviews from the event.

After the reception, the guests, in groups of about 20 people, move on to the home of a host for a dinner party where authors are usually in attendance. This year, there are 23 hosts.

This year novelist E.L. Doctorow will chair a discussion based on his work, The Book of Daniel, which covers past and present political issues from the executions of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg to the current situation in Guantanamo.

At the home of another host, Dan Rattiner, a local folklorist and founder of this publication, will discuss his new book, In the Hamptons: My Fifty Years with Farmers, Fishermen, Artists, Billionaires and Celebrities.

Kerry Max Cook recently published Chasing Justice: My Story of Freeing Myself After Two Decades on Death Row for a Crime I Didn't Commit, a non-fiction story that is quite revelatory, if not shocking. In it Cook speaks of his personal experience with the American justice system, providing an expose` that spanned 20 years of horror as he lingered on death row. This account of a wrongful imprisonment and a death sentence may provoke more questions than answers.

The Authors Reception takes place on August 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. under the tent at the East Hampton Library. Tickets are available online at authorsnight.org, or by phone at 631-907-0106. All books will be available for purchase and signing.

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