Morris County Library is pleased to announce Morris Authors Day 2026, a free, biennial celebration of authors who live in or write about Morris County.

This year's Morris Authors Day carries special significance as it coincides with the United States' 250th anniversary, with all three featured authors exploring the Revolutionary War era and New Jersey's pivotal role in the birth of the American nation. The event will also include author meet and greet tables, book signings, drop-in children's activities, and more. No registration is required, and admission is free and open to all. 

Featured Speakers: 

Dr. Maxine Lurie (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Taking Sides in Revolutionary New Jersey: Caught in the Crossfire Professor Emerita of History at Seton Hall University and Chair of the New Jersey Historical Commission, Dr. Lurie is an award-winning author and leading authority on New Jersey history. She will discuss the complex choices faced by New Jerseyans during the Revolutionary War years and the story behind her book Caught in the Crossfire. 

Mally Becker (12:15 PM – 1:15 PM) The Revolutionary War Mystery Series: The Turncoat's Widow, The Counterfeit Wife & The Paris Mistress Award-winning historical fiction author Mally Becker will trace how her research in the Morristown National Historical Park's archives inspired her three-book Revolutionary War mystery series. Drawing on original letters and forgotten crimes, Becker illuminates the human side of the Revolution — including espionage, survival, and the lives of ordinary people caught between divided loyalties. 

Michael C. Gabriele (1:30 PM – 2:30 PM) Colonial Taverns of New Jersey: Libations, Liberty & Revolution Journalist and freelance writer Michael Gabriele will explore the role of New Jersey's colonial taverns as vital social and political hubs during the 17th and 18th centuries — gathering places for militia recruitment, committees of safety, and even George Washington himself.