Pen Parentis Literary Salon hosts Darin Strauss and Jennifer Egan 9/14

Celebrated author Jennifer Egan managed to write her latest acclaimed novel, A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD while caring for little ones at home. Darin Strauss was watching over toddler twins while penning HALF A LIFE, the memoir Elizabeth Gilbert said was "unusually thoughtful and unsettling." Hear both authors read from these works and listen in as they discuss their methods for balancing great writing with the demands of family life on Tuesday, September 14th at 6:30 pm during happy hour in the handsomely appointed Libertine Library at Gild Hall (15 Gold Street at Platt in Lower Manhattan).

To cap off the evening, the distinguished pair will present the first ever Pen Parentis Writing Fellowship for New Parents to exciting newcomer, Brooklyn resident Abby Sher. Sher's short story was chosen from among nearly a hundred entries from as far away as Hawaii and France. As Fellow, she will receive $1000 in prize money to use for child care and will share the stage with Egan and Strauss to present her winning short, "MRI." Pen Parentis, the sponsor of the fellowship as well as of this open arts event, is a professional organization for authors who are also parents. After the readings, all three authors will sign books and answer questions about creativity, career, and childrearing.

Pen Parentis executive director M. M. De Voe is a downtown resident and prize-winning author. She is also a mother of two. "So many authors are raising kids around here," De Voe says, referring not only to downtown, but also to Brooklyn, "Writing is solitary, and parenting is constantly demanding. Pen Parentis was founded to help authors who have kids stay on track, creatively, through the support that only other author/parents can give. Our salons are a way to give back to the community. Anyone can come--no need to have read the books, and you don't have to be a parent or a writer. You just have to enjoy a good story."

The Pen Parentis Literary Salons are a free monthly event, open to the public. The Libertine offers a full top shelf bar and small plates at happy hour prices. Borders will have books on hand for signings.

For more information consult the Pen Parentis website at www.penparentis.org.