LITERATURE

New Venue for UMASS Dartmouth’s Highly Acclaimed AUTHOR’S BRUNCH

Claire T. Carney Library Associates Expands Capacity for 14th Annual Affair

BY MARIA SANGUINETTI

Over the last few years, many literary enthusiasts commented on the sell-out crowds that flocked to the college campus for what may be the most gracious and informative event of its kind found on the SouthCoast of Massachusetts. An event recognized for attracting the best-in-class of writers, and crowds of devotees of the written word, it was evident that the existing space—although massive—was no longer able to accommodate the number of people wishing to attend the prestigious affair.

On Sunday, March 29, 2020, the UMASS Author’s Brunch will be held at its new home, the UMASS’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at 151 Martine Street, Fall River. Located on the banks of the Wattupa Pond, no location could be considered to be more beautiful or convenient, offering easy access from parking to the front door.

This new setting is befitting for the three best-selling authors who will present their works to an inspired audience. This year’s presenters are; Barbara Delinsky, Jacquelyn Mitchard, and Steven Manchester.

As a preview to what is in store, organizers have announced the upcoming agenda with brief bios and descriptions of each writer’s works.

BARBARA DELINSKY Barbara Delinsky, née Barbara Ruth Greenberg, was born on August 9, 1945, near Boston. When she was eight years old, her mother died from breast cancer. She grew up in a religiously

This year’s event will likely be as delicious and literary fortifying as all others since it will be held in a stateof-the-art venue that can accommodate guests more efficiently. The objective of the Author’s Brunch is to educate, entertain, and to support the excellent work of the sponsoring organization.

observant Jewish household that kept kosher. Her family belonged to the Reform movement and attended Temple Israel in Boston. She describes her life as ordinary, taking piano and flute lessons, ballroom dancing, and attending summer camp until the age of 15. The author received a B.A. in Psychology from Tufts University, and in 1963, she married Steve Delinsky, a law student. Their need for money led her to pursue and earn an M.A. in Sociology from Boston College, followed by work she did as a researcher for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. After the birth of her first child, she became a reporter and photographer for the Belmont Herald. Coming from a family of lawyers, Delinsky never expected to publish books. She even speaks of how she was kicked out of her honors English class in high school because she couldn’t keep up. Nevertheless, after the birth of her twin sons, she read an article about three female authors and decided to pursue writing. After only three months, she published her first book using the pseudonym Billie Douglass with Dell Publishing Company. She has also written using the pseudonym Bonnie Drake as well as Barbara Delinsky.

Delinsky describes herself as a “philosophical Jew” who does not keep a kosher household but who has raised her sons with religious education. Now that her children are grown, she holds a strict writing schedule, sitting down at her desk every morning at 5:30 and working until noon.

Drawing from her own experience, dealing with breast cancer, Delinsky published Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors, (2001), a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes compiled from the experiences of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families, and friends. Proceeds from the sale of this book have gone to her charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

With more than 20 best-sellers to her credit, Barbara Delinsky’s latest book, A Week at the Shore, will be released in May of 2020.

JACQUELYN MITCHARD Jacquelyn Mitchard is an American journalist and author who was born in suburban Chicago on December 10, 1956. She studied creative writing for three semesters under Mark Costello, a creative writing instructor at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign.

Mitchard became a newspaper reporter in 1979 for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, becoming its lifestyle columnist. Her weekly column, The Rest of Us: Dispatches from the Mother Ship, appeared in 125 newspapers nationwide.

Mitchard has the distinction of having her first novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, selected as Oprah Winfrey’s first book of the month selection, with her other stories becoming best-sellers as well. The author has found winning critical acclaim for The Most Wanted, Cage of Stars, and The Breakdown Lane. The Most Wanted was nominated for Britain’s Orange Prize for fiction, and Cage of Stars was nominated for Britain’s Word Prize. She is the recipient of the Shirley Jackson and Bram Stoker awards.

Mitchard has also written for children and young adults; works include Baby Bat’s Lullaby, Starring Prima!, The Mouse of the Ballet Jolie, All We Know of Heaven, and The Midnight Twins.

STEVEN MANCHESTER Steven Manchester is a best-selling author of several books, including Twelve Months, The Rockin’ Chair. Pressed Pennies, Gooseberry Island, Ashes, The Changing Season, and Three Shoeboxes. Born on November 4, 1967, a native of Westport, he began his career after serving in Operation Desert Storm. His book, The Unexpected War: the Gulf War Legacy, examines the war through the eyes of a common soldier. He is the winner of the 2017 Los Angeles Book Festival Award and the 2018 New York Book Festival Award.

On January 8, 2020, Manchester appeared on The Road Show on WPRI-TV, where he discussed his latest book, Bread Bags & Bullies: Surviving the 80’s. His work has also appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning, and BET’s Nightly News.

Manchester is the father of four children and is married to the love of his life Paula. When not writing, he works as a Disaster Recovery Manager for Sunlife Financial and teaches workshops on how to become published.

This year’s event will likely be as delicious and literary fortifying as all others since it will be held in a state-of-the-art venue that can accommodate guests more efficiently. The objective of the Author’s Brunch is to educate, entertain, and to support the excellent work of the sponsoring organization.

A select group of community businesses who support this year’s event and other endeavors of the Claire T. Carney Library Associates encourage both alumni of this annual event, and newcomers, to enjoy a relaxing and fulfilling afternoon of stimulating discussion, comradery, and personalized book-signings.

The Claire T. Carney Library Associates annual fundraiser is scheduled for Noon on March 29, at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 151 Martine Street, Fall River, Massachusetts. Reservations for a donation of $45 (with a

10% discount for tables of eight) can be made by contacting Maria Sanguinetti at msanguinetti@umassd.edu or by calling 508-991-5096. H