For Immediate Release: January 9, 2013
Contact:
Susan K. McCann, (914) 310-5824, thebigbookclubgetaway@comcast.net
Colleen Doyle LaFrancois, (860) 460-0875, colleen@lafrancoismarketing.com
Mohegan Sun, Chicken Soup for the Soul, CT Humanities, Bank Square Books and RJ Julia present - THE BIG BOOK CLUB GETAWAY: MORE THAN 40 BESTSELLING AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHORS AND PRESENTERS AT MOHEGAN SUN - Benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association
UNCASVILLE, CT: More than 40 bestselling and
award-winning authors and presenters will converge at Mohegan Sun on February 1-2, 2013 for The Big Book Club Getaway, which will benefit The Alzheimer’s Association.
Speakers include Yale Professor Carlos Eire, a winner of the National Book Award for Non-Fiction; Leeza Gibbons, iconic American talk show host, author and philanthropist; Brad Meltzer, #1 bestselling political suspense author and host of the History Channel TV show “Decoded;” Tess Gerritsen, creator of the Rizzoli & Isles series on TNT; Patricia Schultz, author of “1,000 Places to See Before You Die,” and several other renowned writers and experts. A variety of genres will be represented, including: memoir, sports, history, cooking, children’s, travel, health, mystery, romance, fiction, and non-fiction.
Guests will hear authors on the main stage and in concurrent break-out sessions, such as an “All Star Mystery/Suspense Panel,” including J.A. Jance, HallieEphron, Hank Phillippi Ryan and Tess Gerritsen;a panel of sex therapists from the Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment on the “Fifty Shades of Grey” phenomenon; five Harvard Health Publication physicians discussing relationships, stress management, brain power and creativity; Tish Rabe, bestselling children’s book author; Julia Usher, VP of the International Association of Culinary Professionals; a Valentine’s romance-themed panel with Harlequin Intrigue; The History Press panel; and a sports panel moderated by Rick Wolff, host of The Sports Edge on WFAN Radio (NY) and Executive Editor of Grand Central Publishing. Local authors will also share their work at rotating stations. A fun after-hours party called “Books and Bars” will be held on Friday night at Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain at 9:30pm, which will feature the bestselling book, "The Other Woman," by Boston Investigative Journalist, Hank Phillippi Ryan. Ms. Ryan will be there as well!
The Big Book Club Getaway is sponsored by Mohegan
Sun, Chicken Soup for the Soul, CT Humanities, Bank Square Books and RJ Julia. The event coincides with Mohegan Sun’s very popular Diva Nights program. Chicken Soup for the Soul is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013; Publisher and author, Amy Newmark will speak on the power of storytelling and positive thinking, providing complimentary books for all attendees. Discussion leaders from CT Humanities, Bank Square Books, Random House, and Reading Group Choices will lead an interactive conversation about book clubs and contemporary issues. Kristin van Ogtrop, Managing Editor of Real Simple will talk about juggling her role at the magazine with the challenges of motherhood.
The Alzheimer’s Association will receive a portion of the proceeds from The Big Book Club Getaway. A primary objective of the event is to further awareness and education about this devastating disease, which impacts over 5.4 million Americans each year, and is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Kristen Cusato,former WTNH anchorperson, and Southwest Regional Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter will emcee Friday night’s program. UCLA neuroscientist and author of “The Alzheimer’s Prevention Program,” Gary Small, M.D., will take part in the event and explain his research; Dr. Small is a frequent
expert guest on the national talk show circuit and news programs, including: The Today Show, Good Morning America, PBS, and CNN.
The Big Book Club Getaway expands upon the traditional living room book club concept where small groups of people gather together to discuss popular titles, such as works by: Mary McGarry Morris, “Songs in Ordinary Time,” which was made into a CBS movie; Erika Marks, “Little Gale Gumbo” and “The Mermaid Collector;” David Gillham, “City of Women;” Patricia Harman, “The Midwife of Hope River,” and Susan Conley, “The Foremost Good Fortune,” a top ten reads selection by “O, The Oprah Magazine” presented by Middlesex Hospital.
Gwen Lawrence, yoga instructor for the New York Giants will lead The Big Yoga Class. A museum curator and professors from Yale, Harvard, UConn (Gina Barreca), NYU, UCLA, Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac, University of Hartford and University of Bridgeport will provide intellectual content. Guests can enjoy all that Mohegan Sun has to offer such as, gaming, shopping, fine dining and spa services. The Big Book Club Boulevard will include various exhibitors, such as artists, publishers, health/beauty/ fashion retailers, and non-profit and educational agencies. Each guest will go home with a gift bag packed full of books, Real Simple magazine, and product samples with a total value of over $50.00.
Visit www.thebigbookclub.org for more information and to register for the event. General admission is $100 per person if registered and paid by January 31, 2012, and $125 at the door. Teachers, students and librarians are $75 with an ID. News and updates will be posted on the event Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thebigbookclubgetaway
The Big Book Club Getaway is produced by: Essex Books and LaFrancois Marketing Consultants.
