Among the authors presented with Whiting Writers' Awards at a ceremony last night at the Morgan Library were (1) novelist Dalia Sofer (accompanied by literary agent David McCormick), (2) playwrights Sheila Callaghan and Tarell Alvin McCraney, (3) memoirist Peter Trachtenberg (chatting with poet Elizabeth Spires); and poet Cate Marvin (at right, hanging out with Mary Gaitskill and Matt Jaffe). Prizes were also awarded to Ben Fountain, Paul Guest, Brad Kessler, Carlo Rotella, and Jack Turner. The $50,000 prizes are awarded annually to "emerging writers of exceptional talent and promise;" previous winners include Michael Cunningham, Kim Edwards, Jonathan Franzen, and Lydia Davis.

(photos by J.G. Keller)