Past Author Talks

Here’s what happened at Long Island LitFest in 2022:

Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Nelson DeMille, IN PERSON, Wed., November 16, 2022, 7:30 pm, at Newsday, 6 Corporate Center Drive, Melville.

Long Island LitFest Presents NPR’s Nina Totenberg, Friday, September 16, 2022, 7:30 pm at Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington. Joye Brown, a columnist and associate editor at Newsday, moderated this sold out event.

 

Long Island LitFest & Newsday Live Present Elizabeth Nunez, Wednesday, June 8, 2022, 7:30 pm.

Long Island LitFest & Newsday Live Present David Duchovny, Thursday, June 16, 2022, 7:30 pm.

Long Island LitFest & Gold Coast Arts Present Anna Quindlen IN PERSON, in conversation with Jean Hanff Korelitz. Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 7:30 pm at Manhasset Cinemas.

Long Island LitFest Presents NYT Bestselling Author Erik Larson IN PERSON, in conversation with Rep. Steve Israel. Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 7 pm at The Landmark on Main Street, Port Washington. We had a full house for this event!

 

Long Island LitFest & Newsday Live Present Tessa Bailey. Friday, March 4, 2022 at 7:30 pm.

Cheryl’s Cookies Celebrations Book Club, Produced by Long Island LitFest, with Janet Evanovich! Thursday, January 27, 2022, 7:30 P.M. (EST) on Zoom!

 

We had a great variety of talks in 2021 — take a look:

Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Patricia Cornwell, Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 7:30 pm.

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Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Pati Jinich, Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at 7:30 pm.

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In Person — Long Island LitFest Presents Jodi Picoult, with Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award winner, Julianna Margulies moderating! At The Landmark on Main Street, Port Washington, Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 7:30 pm.

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IN PERSON & SOLD OUT: Long Island LitFest & Newsday Live Present Lidia Bastianich, Live in NewsdayTV Studio Two in Melville, NY, Wednesday, November 17, 2021.

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Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Tamron Hall, Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 7:30 pm.

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Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Meg Cabot, Thursday, Oct 28, 2021 at 7:30 pm.

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Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Susan Orlean, Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 7:30 pm.

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Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Stephanie Land, Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 7:30 pm.

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Celebrations Book Club by Cheryl’s Cookies, Produced by Long Island LitFest, Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 2:00 pm.

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Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Keith Boykin, Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 7:30 pm.

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Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Megan Miranda, Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 7:30 pm.

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Our new virtual Celebrations Book Club by Cheryl’s Cookies, Produced by Long Island LitFest, featuring Jennifer Weiner, Monday, June 14, 2021 at 7:00 pm. We sold 2000 free tickets and everyone received free cookies plus a chance to enter a sweepstakes with Atria Publishing.

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Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Lauren Weisberger, Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 7:30 pm.

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Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Tovah Feldshuh, Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 7:30 pm. The award-winning actor talked about her life and her memoir, LilyVille: Mother, Daughter, and Other Roles I’ve Played.

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Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present CNN’s Don Lemon, Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 7:30 pm. The host of CNN Tonight talked about his book, This is the Fire.

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Long island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Mark Bittman, Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 7:30 pm. He talked about his latest book, Animal, Vegetable, Junk.

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This year we are adding more luminaries and chefs to our events roster, so we truly enjoyed Long island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Chef Jacques Pépin on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 7:30 pm. This fun talk about all things cooking was moderated by Newsday longtime food writer Erica Marcus.

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We welcomed 2021 with a fantastic event — Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Luis Miranda, Jr. on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 7:30 pm. Luis spoke about his longtime career as a political activist, his revealing HBO documentary, Siempre Luis and of course, about his famous son Lyn-Manuel, creator of In the Heights and Hamilton.

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Our last author talk of 2020: Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live present TaraShea Nesbit, on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at 7:30 pm.  TaraShea talked with our moderator Mark Chiusano about her latest novel, Beheld, which was included in the New York Times list of 100 Notable Books of 2020.


We had a fascinating conversation on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 7:30 pm, when Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live presented author Robert Kolker and talked about his Oprah book club selection, Hidden Valley Road. We thank our excellent moderator, Newsday’s Mark Chiusano for asking all the right questions.

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What a fun chat with comedy writing legend, at Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Alan Zweibel, Wednesday, October 28, 2020, 7:30 pm. Alan is an original SNL writer and talked about the early days, as well as his new film with Billy Crystal, “Here Today,” and all of his amazing writing along the way. Thanks to moderator Mark Chiusano, and of course, Book Revue!  Learn more about Laugh Lines here >

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To everyone who joined us at Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live Present Lisa Jewell, on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, 7:30 pm — thank you! Lisa talked about her latest thriller Invisible Girl with our great moderator, Newsday’s Mark Chiusano, while Book Revue provided signed books for sale at a special discount.

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Thank you to everyone who purchased a bundled ticket for Long Island LitFest and Book Revue Present Theresa Caputo on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, 7:30 pm. The virtual talk highlighted Theresa’s latest book, Good Mourning: Moving Through Everyday Losses with Wisdom from the Other Side. It was an interested and “spirited” conversation moderated by Book Revue’s Loren Limongelli, with lots of audience questions, to boot!

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We had a really fun and lively chat with a panel of three outstanding local authors on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, 7:30 pm — Caroline Leavitt, Ellen Meister and Brenda Janowitz, as they talked about their latest novels with Newsday writer and editor Mark Chiusano, in this very special FREE Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live event. Thanks to Book Revue again for providing the books for sale!

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Award-winning actor Alec Baldwin talked with PETA activist and author Dan Mathews on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 7:30 pm. It was an enlightening conversation about Dan’s memoir, Like Crazy, about growing up with a schizophrenic mother. Thank you to our partner Newsday Live, and to Book Revue in Huntington, for providing the books!

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Another great conversation on Thursday, August 6th between comic Judy Gold and our moderator, Mark Chiusano. Judy talked about cancel culture, her career as a stand-up and gave great advice to audience members who asked questions.  Learn more about Judy’s book Yes, I Can Say That >

 

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Thank you to everyone who joined in for our virtual talk with best-selling author Brad Thor on Tuesday, July 20, 2020, with our partner Newsday!  Book Revue provided Near Dark at a 10% discount for Covid charities. Special thanks for moderator Mark Chiusano and everyone who sent in a question for the great Q&A portion of that talk!

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What a thrill to host a virtual talk with courtroom thriller best-selling author Scott Turow on Tuesday, June 16, 2020! Our partner was once again Newsday Live, with our friends at Book Revue providing signed bookplate books of Turow’s latest tome, The Last Trial. Newsday editor/writer Mark Chiusano did a great job moderating again, as well!

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The Coronavirus pandemic of 2020 hasn’t stopped us from bringing best-selling authors to Long Island! On Tuesday, May 12, Long Island LitFest and Newsday Live presented New York Times best-selling author Jennifer Weiner once again — almost 3,000 fans registered to watch this talk between reporter Mark Chiusano and Jennifer Weiner, focusing on her latest novel, Big Summer. Thank you to our friends at Book Revue for providing the books at a 10% discount!

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Long Island LitFest & Newsday Live Present Rocco DiSpirito, in conversation with Newsday’s Erica Marcus, on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. This fun event to celebrate the launch of Rocco’s new cookbook, Rocco’s Keto Comfort Food Diet, was held at the Huntington Hilton. We thank our friends at Books Revue in Huntington for providing the books!

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Long Island LitFest Presents Rachael Ray, in conversation with Newsday’s Erica Marcus! Monday, October 14, 2019, 7:30 pm, The Landmark on Main Street, Port Washington. Rachael’s memoir was provided by The Dolphin Bookshop in Port Washington. What an amazing SOLD OUT evening–we had a North Shore Animal League puppy adoption truck outside, as Rachael is spokesperson. And a riveted audience as Erica and Rachael had a fun talk. Then the house lights went up for audience Q&A.

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Long Island LitFest Presents Augusten Burroughs, Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 7:30 pm at Tilles Center, LIU Campus. A rare Long Island appearance, moderated by Newsday’s  Valerie Kellogg, who talked with Augusten about his latest memoir, Toil & Trouble. We had many super fans attending, who were thrilled to meet him!

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Long Island LitFest Presents Humorists Dave Barry & Adam Mansbach, Wednesday, September 25, 2019, 7:30 pm, Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington.  This night of laughter, in which the authors talked about their latest collaboration (also with Alan Zweibel), A Field Guide to the Jewish People, was sponsored by Fidelity Investments in Plainview. We want to thank them for supporting this fantastic event that was enjoyed by so many!

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Back by Popular Demand: Long Island LitFest Presents Lidia Bastianich, Thursday, August 22, 7:30 pm, Krasnoff Theater at Tilles Center, LIU Campus. Once again, Lidia Bastianich made an appearance on Long Island, talking about her fascinating immigration story, her career, and of course, her love for her family.  Learn more about her memoir here >

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Long Island LitFest Presents Candace Bushnell, in conversation with Ellen Meister, Monday, August 12, 7:30 pm, Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington.  Full house of Sex and the City fans, as Candace Bushnell read from her new book — Is There Still Sex in the City?, talked about her career and answered questions from our audience. All that was missing were cosmos!

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Long Island LitFest Presents Jennifer Weiner in conversation with Susan Isaacs, Thursday, June 12, 2019, 7:30 pm.  What a glorious night — a full house of Jennifer Weiner fans, with the bonus of Susan Isaacs moderating.  Mrs. Everything has received excellent reviews and was selected as the June 2019 book club by Barnes & Noble.

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Long Island LitFest Presents the Legendary Irwin Winkler, Monday, April 29, 7:30 pm at Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington. Raging Bull, Rocky, Goodfellas, The Right Stuff and so many other films were produced by Hollywood mover and shaker Irwin Winkler and he talked about them all to a room full of film fans.  Learn more about the book >

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Long Island LitFest Presents Anna Quindlen, Monday, April 22, 2019 at 7:30 pm at The Landmark on Main Street, Port Washington. Anna was in conversation with Long Island author Judy Blundell.  We had a full house of Anna fans, as she talked about her latest book, Nanaville: Adventures in Grandparenting.

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Long Island LitFest Presents Lidia Bastianich, in conversation with Newsday food writer Erica Marcus, Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 7:30 pm at Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington. Another sold out event with the great PBS star and food empire entrepreneur, Lidia Bastianich.  Lidia’s memoir about her immigration experience is fascinating — truly a rags to riches American success story.

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Long Island LitFest Presents The Sopranos Sessions, Monday, March 25, 2019, 7:30 pm at Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington. TV critics and authors Matt Zoller Seitz and Alan Sepinwall talked about their book, an in-depth look at the iconic HBO series that changed television.   We had a great time and our engaged audience, Sopranos fans, were able to ask many questions about the series.  Learn more about The Sopranos Sessions >

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Long Island LitFest Presents Donna Gaines, author of Why the Ramones MatterSunday, January 13, 3:00 pm at Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington. Donna was in conversation with Bill German, author of Under Their Thumb: How a Nice Boy from Brooklyn Got Mixed Up with the Rolling Stones (and Lived to Tell About It)plus we had a live performance by the band The Young Rochelles!  Hey! Ho!

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Long Island LitFest Presents Lee Child, Wednesday, December 5, 2018.  We had a packed house of Jack Reacher and Lee Child fans, as well as fans of our conversation moderator, author Reed Farrel Coleman.  Lee also answered many questions from the audience and talked about who could replace Tom Cruise in upcoming feature films based on the books. All in all, a great evening!  Learn more about the latest Jack Reacher novel >

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Long Island LitFest Presents Katy Tur, Wednesday, November 7, 2018. On the day after the mid-term elections, broadcast journalist Katy Tur, of NBC/MSNBC, was in conversation with Mark Lukasiewicz , the new Dean of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University. Katy talked about the elections, the state of journalist and her book, UNBELIEVABLE: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History, which she wrote after trailing Donald Trump during his 2015 presidential campaign.  We had a full house for this important and fascinating event.

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Long Island LitFest Presents Jodi Picoult, Tuesday, October 2, 2018, in conversation with Meg Wolitzer. This was a fabulous sold out event hosted by the Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington.  The author talk, focusing on Jodi Picoult’s 25th novel — A Spark of Light — and audience Q&A, was followed by individual photo opps with Jodi.  Every audience member received a signed book, as well!

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Long Island LitFest Presents Lidia Bastianich, Friday, September 28, 2018.  We sold out this special event with PBS star Lidia Bastianich, who wrote a memoir about her immigrant experience and how she became a renowned chef and restaurant owner.  Newsday’s longtime food writer Erica Marcus was our excellent moderator for the evening.

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Long Island LitFest Presents Andre Aciman, Saturday, March 10, 2018, with a screening of the film “Call Me By Your Name,” followed by a conversation with the author. Moderated by Debra Markowitz, Director of the Nassau County Film Office.  The talkback was followed by a book signing reception.  Another full house at Cinema Arts Centre!

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Long Island LitFest Presents the legendary Sheila Nevins, President, HBO Documentary Films and author of the New York Times bestselling book You Don’t Look Your Age… and Other Fairy Tales.  Author talk, audience Q&A, reception and book signingSunday, February 25, 2018 at 4 pm at Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington.  We had a full house! You can see the entire event on CSPAN BOOKS TV, who was present to tape it.

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Long Island LitFest Presents Living, Out Loud: Writers Riff on Love, Sweat & Fears.  Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018. This was a SOLD OUT essay reading event at Cinema Arts Centre, featuring writers With Rolling Stones memoirist Bill German, New York Times Modern Love writer Paula Ganzi Licata, Long Island LitFest founder and author Claudia Gryvatz Copquin, former longtime Friars Club writer/author Barry Dougherty, New York Emmy Award winner Iyna Bort Caruso and Boston Globe essayist Robin Eileen Bernstein. And special guest, Newsday columnist Lane Filler!

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Long Island LitFest Presents Nelson DeMille with Rep. Steve Israel.  On Oct. 10, 2017 we presented best-selling author Nelson DeMille, in conversation with Rep. Steve Israel, who is also an author.  We had a packed house at Cinema Arts Centre in Huntingon, as they discussed DeMille’s latest novel, The Cuban Affair.  Afterwards there was audience Q&A, followed by a book signing reception.  And as a special surprise to our audience, CSPAN taped the entire event!

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Long Island LitFest Presents Kurt Andersen.  Many of you Joined us on September 14th, 2017 at 7:30 pm at Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, NY for a unique evening when Kurt Andersen talked about his new book, FANTASYLAND: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History.  He was in conversation with WLIW21 VP & GM, Diane Masciale.  Audience Q&A and book signing reception followed.

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Long Island LitFest Presents Anna Quindlen, June 8, 2017. We had a fantastic evening listening to Anna …  Thank you Cinema Arts Centre and Book Revue!

Long Island LitFest Presents Anna Quindlen

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Long Island LitFest Presents Alice Hoffman, Dec. 7, 2016

Alice Hoffman

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Long Island LitFest Presents Wally Lamb, Nov. 30, 2016

We hosted two Long Island LitFest Book Club with Authors this summer!

BOOK:  The Dinner Party

AUTHOR:   Brenda Janowitz

DISCUSSION DATE:  June 12, 2016, 2 pm

LOCATION:  Barnes & Noble, 4000 East Jericho Turnpike, East Northport, NY

Barnes & Noble in East Northport hosted our book club      Author Brenda Janowitz    We had fun!   Brenda signed copies of her book, The Dinner Party.

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BOOK:  Bobby Wonderful: An Imperfect Son Says Good-Bye

AUTHOR:   Bob Morris

DISCUSSION DATE:  July 26, 2016, 7 pm

LOCATION:  Book Revue, 313 New York Ave, Huntington, NY

Book Revue   Bob Morris 4   Bob Morris 2   Bob Morris 3   Bob Morris 5