Simon & Schuster will launch a 2014 Hamptons summer event series celebrating the power, perseverance, and resilience of women, it was announced today by Liz Perl, Executive Vice President, Corporate Marketing. 

The series will be held at the 425-seat capacity Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (WHBPAC) located in Westhampton, New York.  Book sales for the events will be handled onsite by Books & Books Westhampton Beach.

Unlike traditional author events in which publishers provide authors for existing series in established venues, Simon & Schuster’s Hamptons Summer Series is being produced entirely by the publishing company.

Details on each of the events can be found at www.simonsays.com.  The events will be held on June 26, July 14, July 21, and August 18. The events feature lectures from Amanda Lindhout, New York Times bestselling author of A House In the Sky, Zhena Muzyka, founder of Zhena’s Gypsy Tea and author of Life By The Cup, Susannah Cahalan, New York Times bestselling author of Brain On Fire, and Helen Thorpe, award winning journalist and author of Soldier Girls. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.whbpac.org or calling 631.288.1500.

“We have such a wealth of talent  across our many imprints that it just makes sense that we create this type of programming and bring our authors directly to their fans,” said Liz Perl.  “The Hamptons events feature a stellar list of authors and the theme of women’s empowerment is one that will resonate with the residents and visitors of the Greater Westhampton area.”

Books & Books Westhampton Beach owner Jack McKeown said “We are immensely grateful to Simon & Schuster and The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center for the opportunity to work with them on this summer’s speaker program.  This is a fine example of how a leading publisher, a distinguished arts venue, and an independent bookseller can join forces to help build and inspire an entire community.”

James Burke, Executive Director of the WHBPAC, said, “I am thrilled that Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center will be the host venue for the first ever speaker series from Simon & Schuster.  The series’ focus on trailblazing female authors and their inspirational true stories will surely touch our devoted Hamptons audiences in a meaningful and enlightening way.”

Simon & Schuster, a part of CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com