A literary tour de force is headed to Phoenix March 16 and 17.
The annual, highly acclaimed Book and Author event is sponsored by the Phoenix Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee. Every year, hundreds of book aficionados travel to Phoenix to revel in this gala event that attracts between 700 and 800 attendees and is fueled entirely by enthusiastic volunteers. A stellar success since its inception 24 years ago, this two-day charitable event is a fundraiser for BNC’s “Sustaining the Mind” campaign, which funds research into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Lou Gehrig’s, as well as other neurological conditions such as autism and epilepsy.
The March 17 venue will be the elegant JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, where in addition to a sumptuous lunch, attendees can visit a variety of high-end boutiques and also have their books signed. This year’s marquee headliners are Philip Shenon, New York Times investigative reporter who applies his skills to the mysteries of history; Scott Turow, prosecutor turned master storyteller; Alice Hoffman, author of literary novels for adults, teens and children; Hallie Ephron, mistress of the psychological thriller; Debbie Macomber, author of more than 50 fiction and romance selections; and Leigh Steinberg, superstar sports agent and the inspiration for the film Jerry Maguire. Sean McLaughlin, news anchor for KPHO channel 5, will be the moderator.
This is a rare opportunity to experience authors in a realm that transcends book jackets.
Attendees get in-depth perspectives from seasoned and emerging writers, as they discover how those writers get their readers riveted. The authors will also offer insightful glimpses into their literary careers, lifestyles, backgrounds and sources of inspiration.
Previous headliners have include prominent and best-selling authors such as Clive Cussler, Alana Stewart (ex-wife of Rod Stewart), Barbara Taylor Bradford, David Balducci, Jeffrey Deaver, James Patterson, Larry King and David Eisenhower, many of whom have been on the New York Times bestseller lists.
Patrons who want to get “up close and personal” with authors can take the experience up a notch. An additional donation affords attendees the choice of a cocktail soiree the night before at a beautiful Paradise Valley home and/or having dinner with the authors after the cocktail party at the hotel. Both events include book signings. All proceeds benefit “Sustaining the Mind,” a Brandeis University scientific research and scholarship fund-raising program.
The driving force behind this charitable event is co-chair Carol Kern, who was BNC national president from 2008 to 2010. Her adoration of reading coupled with an intense desire to help the university acquire funds for books and research compelled her to create this “win-win” fund- raising triumph more than two decades ago. It has been gaining in popularity and momentum ever since. It is so popular that, according to Kern, attendees come from such far-reaching locations as New York, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey and Nebraska.
“People actually tailor their vacations around this event,” Kern says. “After each event people rush up to us and tell us it’s the best event ever. I think the dinner with the authors is particularly fun. You realize they are just regular people. They are always very personable and ask questions of you, as well. This event is a great outreach for the community and for the organization as a whole.”
At the helm of the organization’s efforts to secure authors is event co-chair Merrill Kalman who travels to the New York Book Expo to meet and recruit the authors. “In another life, I’d have owned a bookstore,” she says. “I have always loved reading, so this is the perfect opportunity for me. This has enabled me to meet a lot of authors and be in a book world I love being in. The first time I went to the Expo, I felt like a kid in a candy store.”
Past attendees share that enthusiasm.
“The Book and Author event hosted by the Phoenix Chapter of Brandeis last year was, without a doubt, the most exciting author event I have ever attended,” says attendee Terry Bacenheimer. “The authors didn’t let me down! What was so entrancing about this event was that all the authors were varied in style, content and demeanor. I am not a sports’ enthusiast, but [baseball great] Tony La Russa stole the show for me.”
The annual event is open to the entire community. Each year the committee invites a variety of authors to ensure the event appeals to both men and women. The Phoenix Chapter of The Brandeis National Committee welcomes new members. For more information on Brandeis or to purchase tickets for the luncheon, cocktail party or dinner, visit brandeisphoenix.com or contact Kalman at mskbflo@aol.com or Kern at cak571@aol. com.
