BOSTON—Four writers and editors will tip their caps to beloved American humorist Robert Benchley at a free book talk and reading Saturday, July 17, in Beacon Hill. The event is sponsored by the Robert Benchley Society, which is hosting its fourth annual national meeting in the city July 16-18.
The event begins at 11 a.m. at the Boston Society of the New Jerusalem, the Church on the Hill, 140 Bowdoin Street. The talk and book signing is free and open to the public. The participants are from across the country and will present brief remarks and a reading from their work. Attendees are:
Benchley distant cousin T. Marie Benchley is a Miami-based author of thrillers. Once Wicked Always Dead (M.M.W.E. Publishing, 2010) is a sharp mystery that swirls with family secrets, betrayal, love and loss. Molly Madison is unaware of a sociopath who is on the loose. Her life is shattered by the sudden death of her beloved parents and the revelation of her husband’s affair—with another man. Molly leaves the life of country clubs and heads west to Montana to run the family ranch. Her attraction to the foreman is instant, but intrigue and mystery await her. Visit author website.
Robert Benchley was a member of the legendary Algonquin Round Table, and the new book, The Lost Algonquin Round Table (Donald Books, 2009) brings out many missing pieces by Benchley and his friends, including Dorothy Parker and George S. Kaufman. Kevin C. Fitzpatrick edited the book with Benchley’s grandson, Nat, and has uncovered more than 50 pieces by the illustrious group. Fitzpatrick is the author of A Journey into Dorothy Parker’s New York and is president of the Dorothy Parker Society. Book info here.
Detroit humorist and editor Thomas Saunders will be on hand to present The Athletic Benchley (Glendower Media, 2010). Robert Benchley was only one of the writers of national fame who wrote for The Detroit Athletic Club News. Dorothy Parker, Ring Lardner, Donald Ogden Stewart and many others contributed to the magazine for the elite members of Detroit’s automobile industry. These pieces are presented in their original form for the first time in The Athletic Benchley—105 Exercises from The Detroit Athletic Club News. Here are old favorites as they first appeared and here also are many Benchley gems that have never been seen outside of the DAC. For details visit glendowermedia.com.
Following on the heels of his novella, The Fishing Trip That Got Away, Philly native Ed Tasca continues his humorous tales of adventure and entertaining escapades in his latest comic novel, Lub Dub (Rose Heart Books, 2009). In this hilarious account of a heart delivery gone wrong, the comic antics are never-ending. Tasca won the 2009 Robert Benchley Award for humor. His work has appeared in several humor anthologies such as America’s Funniest Humor and M. Culbertson’s Laughter in Shorts By Award-winning Writers. His work has appeared in humor publications in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Lub Dub is his fourth novel. Visit author website here.
The authors will be available to sign copies of their books following the talks.
For more information about the weekend activities, which includes a walking tour and evening river dinner cruise, visit robertbenchley.org.