Table 4 Writers

Table 4 Writers Table 4 Writers Foundation's goal is to provide financial support and mentoring to promising writers.

A round six-top, right across from the bar (and the cashier’s stool), Table 4 was Elaine’s table, a perch where she could see most of her restaurant, especially the front door and who was crossing that famous threshold. But for many years it was also an oasis for writers who had wandered into the restaurant after wrestling words onto an empty page and were hoping to find solace and a sympathetic e

ar from the lady of the house. Although Elaine was a world-class listener, she was far from a coddler. At Table 4, she offered the writers just what they needed: sometimes a kick in the pants, or an introduction to a fellow writer or agent but always a directive to order something to eat. On many nights, Table 4 was a magical cross-section of novelists, journalists, cops and gangsters. Inhabited over the years by the likes of Nick Pileggi, William Styron, Gay Talese, Winston Groom, Peter Maas and Joan Didion, just to name a few, Table 4 was the Algonquin Round Table of its generation but with characters who seemed to have walked right off the page of a Raymond Chandler novel. Ultimately though, for the writers, Table 4 was a place where they found their clan, their comfort and their courage to face another empty page.

Address

1650 Broadway, Ste 405
New York, NY
10019

General information

On February 10, 2012, a date that would have been her 83rd birthday, a group gathered in midtown Manhattan restaurant to kick off the Table 4 Writers Foundation in Elaine Kaufman’s honor. The goal was simple: to help struggling and promising writers, just as Elaine had for nearly 50 years. Energized by the launch, the Foundation put its mission in motion: several events would be held each year to raise money. Then a yearly annual writing contest, to be held in the late summer/early fall, was instituted. A panel of judges, which included writers, literary agents, and publishing professionals, was formed to select the winners based on their writing ability. The first year of the Foundation culminated in spectacular fashion at our first annual gala and award ceremony held in March of 2013. That night, the elegant dining room at the New York Athletic Club brimmed with Elaine’s faithful including famous authors who had made her restaurant their second home. The highlight of the evening was the Foundation awarding grants to five promising writers. Along with shining a light on five burgeoning talents, and continuing Elaine’s tradition of helping struggling writers, the gala helped keep the memory of Elaine and the imprint she had on the literary world alive for a new generation of wordsmiths. The author Gay Talese, who was also honored at the first gala, pointed out the magic the Foundation had managed to capture. None of the promising award winners had actually been to the fabled restaurant. But as Mr. Talese stood in front of a room that was filled with the great lady’s spirit he addressed the winners by saying: “Welcome to Elaine’s you five. There’s now a little bit of Elaine’s in all of you.”

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Table 4 Writers posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category

Nearby non profit organizations

Other New York non profit organizations

Show All