East Hampton Library’s literary event Annual Authors Night returns

On Saturday, August 8, 2026, the East Hampton Library has presented its 22nd Annual Authors Night fundraiser. One of the most popular and celebrity-studded events of the Hamptons’ summer calendar, Authors Night features 100 authors across all genres. The “Premier Literary Event of the Hamptons” has grown over its history to become one of the most successful celebrations of books and authors in America, and one of the largest library-author events of its kind in the country.

“As we celebrate the 22nd anniversary of Authors Night, we’re excited to once again bring this beloved event to the heart of East Hampton Village,” said Dennis Fabiszak, Director of the East Hampton Library. “The funds raised at Authors Night allow us to continue offering essential programs and services at the library—completely free of charge—to our diverse community all year long.”

Authors participation

Robert A. Caro, Amy Chozick, Tom Clavin, Amy DuBois Barnett, Tom Freston, Bianna Golodryga, Michael Gross, Karine Jean-Pierre, Tom Junod, Carol Leifer, Andrew Lownie, Susan Lucci, Zibby Owens, Chris Pavone, Adam Ross, Beth Stern, Michael Symon, Heather Ann Thompson, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Tia Williams—and many more.

Beth Stern attends the East Hampton Library's 22nd annual Authors Night.

Authors Night is a lavish annual fundraiser to benefit the East Hampton Library, featuring 100 authors across all genres and more than 2,000 people in attendance. The “Premier Literary Event of the Hamptons” has grown over its history to become one of the most successful celebrations of books and authors in America, and one of the largest library-author events of its kind in the country.

Authors Night is held every year on the second Saturday of August. The evening begins at 5 pm with the Authors Book Signing Cocktail Party under a grand tent, where guests enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and wine and have the opportunity to meet and mingle with the authors, buy their books, and have them personally inscribed. At 8 pm, directly following the Authors Reception, guests dine at dinner parties at nearby private homes in honor of one or more of the guest authors.

Publishing firms and authors generously donate the books for Authors Night, with 100% of the book sale proceeds benefitting the East Hampton Library and local dinner party hosts underwrite all of their party expenses, with 100% of the dinner party ticket proceeds going to the Library. The funds raised at Authors Night are used for essential programs and services at the Library throughout the next year, all of which are provided free of charge.

Neil deGrasse Tyson attends the event.

Karine Jean-Pierre poses for a photograph. Photos: AP

Founded in 1897, the East Hampton Free Library was granted a charter by New York State and opened in one room of Clinton Hall on Main Street. The Library moved to its present location at the corner of Main Street and Buell Lane in 1912. In 1997, the Library’s Centennial Year, an expansion and renovation designed by the noted architect Robert A.M. Stern was completed. In 2014, the Library celebrated the opening of the new Children’s Addition and Baldwin Family Lecture Room, adding 6,800 square feet to the existing Library. In 2016, the Library held a community celebration and ribbon-cutting for its new state-of-the-art Young Adult Room.

Virtually all other libraries in the country get 100% of funding from tax payers. But the East Hampton Library has a different tradition: Over 60% of the money it has spent in the last 10 years comes from private donations. That makes us a true community organization; voluntary participation makes us strong. Everyone in the community automatically belongs to the Library, is entitled to a free library card, and everything we do is free.

As a result of the generosity of friends and community members, the East Hampton Library keeps its costs down through events like Authors Night.