The 8th annual “Luncheon With the Authors” benefit for the Allentown Art Museum Society for the Arts (SOTA), as with so many other events because of coronavirus pandemic protocol, goes virtual, 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 8.

Tickets are available for the online Zoom webinar, which includes talks and a panel discussion by three acclaimed authors. The discussion is moderated by K.C. Lopez of PBS39, who previously emceed the event.

The luncheon, which is held at Lehigh Country Club, Salisbury and Lower Macungie townships, will not be held this year.

Those purchasing tickets who can’t view the live webinar, will be provided a link to view a video of the event.

Mary Gonsiorowski, co-chair of the SOTA luncheon committee, says, “The program will be the same as in prior years but without the luncheon itself. The three authors will speak and then there will be a question and answer session where people can participate live. The moderator will pick from questions submitted online.”

The three authors and their books are “A Good Neighborhood” by Therese Ann Fowler, “Dear Edward” by Ann Napolitano, and “Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love,” by Dani Shapiro.

“A Good Neighborhood” is a novel about two North Carolina households. It is described as asking “big questions about life in America today as it explores the effects of class, race and star-crossed love.”

“Dear Edward” is a coming-of-age novel about a 12-year-old sole survivor of a plane crash.

“Inheritance” tells of the author’s investigation of her identity after she discovered that her deceased parent was not her biological father.

“SOTA needed to decide whether or not to go through with this event. The overwhelming desire of the membership was to move ahead,” says Gonsiorowski.

Those on the luncheon committee, who read some 18 books this year, look for “authors relatively new to the scene who have written really good books.”

In previous years, newly-published authors have been more likely to travel to Allentown for a non-paying event. SOTA’s choices have turned out well. “Many have gone on to the New York Times best-seller lists,” says Gonsiorowski.

Last year’s authors’ luncheon at Lehigh Country Club sold out with 188 attending. This year, ticket reservations are unpredictable, but Gonsiorowski says by having to go virtual, “We are hoping to expand our audience. This way, we can have people participate from various places around the country.”

The Society for the Arts, founded in 1964, is a volunteer organization with a membership of nearly 200. The members assist the Allentown Art Museum in a number of ways, such as acting as tour guides (called docents), helping to staff the museum’s store, participating in children’s programs, and doing fundraising projects for the museum’s collections, among other goals.

Begun a women’s organization, the group’s bylaws were changed two years ago to be non-gender specific. Although no men are now SOTA members, they are eligible to join.

Although the museum reopened to the public Aug. 21 after being closed for five months, attendance capacity is limited. SOTA members are not giving tours of the museum. Children’s activities have resumed outdoors. The Sunday “ArtVentures” has been renamed “LawnVentures,” where children do projects at socially-distanced tables.

SOTA members take pride in helping the museum purchase works of art.

SOTA President Val Johnson says of the museum, “It is unique in the quality and breath of the collection, and it has become more and more diverse in its programming. which includes lectures and music presentations.

“It is a place where people can come at their own comfort level. You don’t have to be an artist to enjoy the museum. A lot of people are intimidated by art museums, but it is very friendly. We are a welcoming place.”

SOTA “Luncheon With the Authors” tickets: sotapa.org/events/luncheon-with-the-authors; Maureen Fernbacher, 2955 Lindberg Avenue, Allentown, Pa 18103

Books purchase: Click on the “Buy Tickets” button.

Books pickup or delivery: Barbara Sharma, bksswede@gmail.com; 610-390-4005, and Debra Sanek, djs3345@ptd.net; 610-295-9895