GalleyCat prowled the ‘5 Under 35’ celebration held at the powerHouse Arena in Brooklyn this week. This event kick-started the celebration of the annual National Book Awards announcement. Stay tuned for all the results tonight.
A taco truck served dinner and DJ Rob Sheffield spun everything from Jay-Z to Duran Duran. Attendees included 2006’s ‘5 Under 35’ host Amanda Stern and a 2006 ‘5 Under 35’ honoree Samantha Hunt. Country singer and author Rosanne Cash (pictured) introduced the readers: Sarah Shun-lien Bynum, Scott Spencer, Colum McCann, Jayne Anne Phillips, and Kate Walbert. Afterward, each one of them stepped up to the podium to introduce the writer they chose.
Four of the five honorees read from their published work, but Paul Yoon took a step outside the box. He read something new, a work-in-progress short story entitled The Snow Hunters. (Photo Credit: Beowulf Sheehan)