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Best-selling author Marie Benedict is the featured speaker for the James V. Brown Library's 20th Author Gala on the main stage of the Community Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12.
Benedict is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A lawyer with more than ten years' experience at the country's premiere law firms, she found her calling in unearthing the hidden historical stories of women. Her mission is to excavate from the past the most important, complex and fascinating women of history and bring them into the light of present-day where we can finally perceive the breadth of their contributions as well as the insights they bring to modern day issues.
She is the author of The Only Woman in the Room, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, Carnegie's Maid, The Other Einstein, Lady Clementine, Agent 355, Her Hidden Genius, The Mitford Affair and The Personal Librarian. Her most recent book, The First Ladies, was published in June.
The gala is the Library's main fundraising event each year and all funds raised support the library's mission of being the place to go to learn, connect and grow, and help the library offer programming for all ages.
General admission tickets are on sale now at the Community Arts Center Box office. To reserve a ticket, call the CAC at 570-326-2424 or visit www.caclive.com. Tickets are $30 or $45 per person. A book sale and book signing will take place for attendees after the keynote from 8:30-9 p.m.
The event will also be livestreamed for a $25 fee for those who are unable to attend in person. To purchase the link, contact Dana Brigandi at dbrigandi@jvbrown.edu or call 570-327-2957.
The Gala, in its 20th year, will also feature an online auction for the general public, which will open September 28 at virtualgala.events/AuthorGala and close at 10 p.m. the night of the event, October 12.
This event is a must-attend for so many in our community and previously featured these authors: Elin Hilderbrand in 2022; David Baldacci in 2021; Lisa See in 2019; Dennis Lehane in 2018; Louise Penny in 2017; Chris Bohjalian in 2016; Ruth Reichl in 2015; Jennifer Weiner in 2014; and more. The 2020 event was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Benedict's travel and speaking fee is generously sponsored by the Friends of the James V. Brown Library.
The James V. Brown Library is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. To place a hold, visit www.jvbrown.edu or call 570-326-0536 during the library's operating hours. Walk-in passport services are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.