Erica Jong Appears at April 20 Writers Speak Event

By Eric Soler

3 minute 04/19/2016

Stony Brook Southampton’s Writers Speak Wednesdays series of notable author talks concludes this Wednesday, April 20, with the renowned novelist, poet, essayist and feminist philosopher Erica Jong. Maintaining their momentum this season, the Writers Speak Wednesdays program has showcased and impressive roster of writers from all genres this semester, and Erica Jong is perhaps the most impressive.

Jong is best known for her debut novel, Fear of Flying, which has sold 27 million copies in 40 languages worldwide. Lauded by critics and consumers, the novel has been widely regarded as a significant contribution to the conversation of second-wave feminism. Jong has published 23 books, including three memoirs, five volumes of poetry and eight novels—all of them illuminating issues of gender politics as Jong inducts feminist consciousness into her writings.

The author’s latest work, Fear of Dying: A Happily Married Woman (St. Martin’s Press, 2015), explores the new topic of sex between older adults, and continues to disrupt conventional thinking regarding women, marriage and sexuality.

Jong has won the Fernanda Pivano Award for American Literature in Italy, the Sigmund Freud Award in Italy, the Deauville Literary Award in France, and the United Nations Award for Excellence in Literature. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Sunday Times of London, Elle, Vogue, The New York Times Book Review, and The Wall Street Journal.

Writers Speak Wednesdays is a free program that begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. Readings start at 7 p.m., followed by a Q&A session and book signing.

After Jong’s appearance as the last notable author of this Writers Speak season, a final date will be dedicated to student readings from Stony Brook Southampton’s MFA in Creative Writing and Literature program on May 4.

All programs are held in the Radio Lounge on the second floor of Chancellors Hall at Stony Brook Southampton (239 Montauk Highway). For more information, call 631-632-5030 or visit stonybrook.edu/mfa.