Author and Illustrator Nights

History
Twenty years ago, Southampton Elementary School, Southampton, New York, hosted an Author Evening attended by founding LICWI member Brian Heinz. The evening was so well received in the community, Brian thought the idea had a much broader potential. Along with a list of interested published authors, he presented slides he had taken at Southampton Elementary School at workshops for PARP (Parents As Reading Partners) and literacy conferences. The idea generated enthusiasm among PTA groups and from there Author and Illustrator Nights took off. We now hold approximately twenty-five of these events annually.

Definition
An Author and Illustrator evening is a literary event to promote books and reading, a "living book fair" at which students, parents and school staff actually meets the authors of the books they purchase and have an opportunity to have books autographed. The attending authors receive no remuneration other than a welcoming buffet dinner provided by the PTA of the host school and the pleasure of sharing the evening with the children who enjoy their books.


To Participate
If you are a school or author who would like to participate in Author and Illustrator Nights please contact Brian Heinz at bheinz@optonline.net. In the subject field, enter in Author/Illustrator Night.