Press Releases

May 10, 2004

Another Successful "Meet The Writers" Book Fair for Southampton College
More authors, advanced ticket purchases and the sale of a commemorative poster bring additional revenues to 27th annual event

Contact:
Patricia Conway
631-287-8313

Southampton, NY - Long Island's largest literary event, the 27th Annual "Meet The Writers" Book Fair at Southampton College, featured the works of 102 authors, including Arlene Alda, Michael Bottini, James Brady, popular children's book authors Melvin and Gilda Berger, Nelson DeMille, Kaylie Jones, Gregory Rabassa, Carl Safina and Dava Sobel, among others.

This year's event, held under a huge tent on the College campus this past Friday, also included well-known East End writers Dan Rattiner and his son David Lion Rattiner, Sheridan Sangegundo, Louisa Thomas Hargrave and Mark Ciabattari, who shared their tables with fellow authors, traded stories with book-lovers and autographed their works for Southampton College students, professors and administrators, and the general public.

Southampton College Provost Daniel Rodas welcomed the audience to the event, followed by remarks from Long Island University President David Steinberg, Southampton College Chancellor Robert F.X. Sillerman and Kimberly Goff, co-chair of the Steinbeck Project Steering Committee. Ina Caro, wife of two-time Pulitzer Prize winning author Robert A. Caro, accepted the 16th Annual Steinbeck Writer's Award on her husband's behalf. Caro, the renowned biographer of Lyndon Johnson ("The Years of Lyndon Johnson: The Path to Power" and "Means of Ascent") and Robert Moses ("The Power Broker"), and the winner of the National Book Award, two National Book Critics Circle Awards, the H. L. Mencken Award and an Award in Literature from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, was ill and could not attend the ceremony.

Several participants showcasing their books were graduates of the College's esteemed writing program: D. Daniel Judson ("The Poisoned Rose"), Heather Dune Macadam ("The Weeping Buddha," Rena's Promise") and Charles Pellegrino ("Ghosts of the Titanic," "Dust," "Unearthing the Atlantis").

An art exhibit featuring the work of Ken Robbins, who designed the Book Fair's commemorative poster was on view and for sale. The posters, which brought in additional revenues this year, are still available for purchase by calling the Alumni Office at (631)287-8347.

"We are once again pleased with the outcome of the Fair," said Robert Gerbereux, director of the College Library. "This event raises money for library acquisitions and is always a great evening of socializing and meeting authors and those interested in literature." Incepted in 1977, the John Steinbeck Project has also raised funds to establish a Visiting Writer's Program and student writing awards and scholarships.