Author Night at Coco Key to Benefit Peabody Pantry

The Peabody-based food pantry Haven from Hunger is in the midst of a capital campaign to for the pantry, and the latest fundraiser in that effort is this Saturday in Danvers.

The Haven will host an in the ballroom of the CoCo Key Hotel at 50 Ferncroft Rd. in Danvers from 7-10 p.m.

The panel will feature four best-selling novelists from various publishers: Gary Braver, of Arlington, thriller novelist and Northeastern University English professor; Jane Ward, of Amesbury, contemporary fiction novelist; Tom Cook, of New York City, N.Y., novelist, and William Martin, of Weston, historical fiction novelist.

Haven executive director Alyse Barbash explained the evening's agenda: "Fifty dollars per ticket will include a cocktail hour with cash bar, appetizers and dessert; a wine toss where winners take the ringed-bottle of wine home, a Wheel of Fortune (of books) where winners spin the wheel and take home $100 of books for $25, and a Mystery Library, where winners take home a grab bag of gift certificates for $25."

The gift certificates are from Fat Cactus in Lynnfield, Kowloon and Prince Pizzeria in Saugus, and Chili's and Cakes for Occasions in Danvers.

The game prices are $25 and $50 per round, and credit cards will be accepted. All proceeds will go towards the food pantry -- the authors generously donated their time, Barbash said.

A 1983 Simmons College alum, Ward self-published a fictional story, "The Mosaic Artist," under Create Space. She also writes a cooking blog and has been writing professionally for 20 years.

"'The Mosaic Artist' is the touching story of a brother and sister coping with the death of their father, the special gift bequeathed in his will, and a past neither is completely prepared to confront," she explained.

Braver's latest book is "Tunnel Vision," which is about trying to prove a scientific breakthrough -- a big 'What If?'

Barbash says the cocktail hour is at 7 p.m., the author panel kicks off at 8 p.m., and the fundraising games start at 9 p.m.

Barbash said the authors will sign their books, talk about their writing styles and how they published several books as well as conduct a group fireside chat for those who have a similar writing style.

Ward said a portion of the proceeds from book sales that evening will go toward the Haven.

Braver will moderate the discussion.

"I've known Gary [Braver] for a while," Ward said. "He wanted to do something to help, so he helped me put this together. He's a fan of mine. I've read almost everything he's written, and he's a fan of my work."

Braver, a medical thriller writer, will introduce the authors and why they choose their genres. He will then open up the floor to questions about characters, the experience and their profession.

He has taught a fiction writing workshop on horror fiction and science fiction reading for more than 30 years at Northeastern.

So far, 100 readers and Haven supporters are expected, not a bad start with the tickets $50 each for the event.

"It'll be a casual, relaxed evening out," Barbash said. "It's different. Help us to help others, and enjoy these speakers. We appreciate the support people give us."

"Alyse is an incredibly forceful person, and she does what it takes to get the job done. I hope people will open up their pocketbooks, and give whatever they can," Ward said.

"The Haven rents space four days a week, but it wants to serve more days a week," she said. "In the long run, maybe seven. Having a building will help them to feed more people, as hunger isn't going away. It's getting bigger."

Ward stressed that there's an increase in the quality of life when everyone has something to eat. She feels a connection, as she tries to write about healthy foods.

Braver and Ward have done similar fundraisers for other food pantries in Dedham and Amesbury. A sporting fundraiser is also planned for the spring at the Haven.

For more information, call Haven from Hunger or Barbash at 978-531-1530 to reserve tickets.