SPECIAL EVENTS

Hawaii Literacy Promotion, during the month of August all O'ahu Border's stores will be accepting newly purchased books that customers may select from a "wish list" provided by Hawaii Literacy and donating them to the literacy program; contact your local Border's bookstore for a list of books and how you can purchase books for Hawaii Literacy: Ward Centre: 591-8995, Waikele: 676-6699, Pearlridge: 487-1818, Windward Mall: 235-8789.

Talk Story Radio, weekly radio show, hosted by Jeff Gere; 5:30 p.m. Mondays; broadcast on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays; on KTUH 90.3 FM. This week: Two Garments for the Moon with stories from Erica Lann-Clark, Michael Katz; www.talkstoryradio.com.

Youth Speaks Hawai'i, slam poetry workshops, hosted by Kealoha, TravisT, Melvin, Darron, and Lyz; 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays; The ARTS at Marks Garage; free; 387-9664.

BOOK SIGNING

Terry Fritts signs "Taka and the Kona Snow;" 2 p.m.; Aug. 11; Borders, Ward Centre; free; 591-8995.

FOR WRITERS

How to Make Stores Come Alive, workshop led by Jeff Gere on creating drama in storytelling to children, for parents of children 2-7; 10-11 a.m.; Aug. 4; Waialua Public Library; free. 637-8286.

Honolulu Chapter of The National Writers Association meeting, Gene Parola discusses "How to Create Characters in Fiction;" 7 p.m.; Aug. 7; Borders-Ward Centre; free. 988-8043.

The Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts seeks applications from nonprofit organizations on O'ahu for grants to create original art, between the dates of Dec. 1 and Nov. 30, 2008, in the fields of dance, theater, music and literature which would benefit residents on O'ahu; hand-deliver or mail by Aug. 23 to MOCA, 530 S. King St., room 404, Honolulu, HI 96813. Information and applications: 523-4674, moca-grant@honolulu.gov.

Maui Writers Conference, meet agents, editors, publishers and studio executives and writers including Michael Arndt, Bobby Moresco, Pamela Wallace W.S. Merwin, Lisa Nichols and Buzz Bissinger; Aug. 31-Sept. 3; Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa; $695 kama'aina rate until Aug. 15; also, the conference is proceeded by a six-day retreat in fiction, nonfiction or screenwriting, Aug. 25-31; $1295 kama'aina rate until Aug. 15; 808-879-0061, www.mauiwriters.com.

READING GROUPS

Borders Bestseller Reading Group; 7 p.m.; Aug. 8; Borders Waikele; free; 676-6699.

Contemporary Fiction Reading Group; 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8; Barnes & Noble, Kahala; free; 737-3323.

Romance Readers Anonymous; 6:30 p.m.; Aug. 9; Borders Waikele; free; 676-6699.

Romantic Borders Reading Group; 7 p.m.; Aug. 9; Borders, Ward Centre; free; 591-8995.

FOR KEIKI

Keiki Storytime; 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays; Borders, Waikele; free; 676-6699.

Preschool Craft & Storytime; 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Kahala; free; 737-3323.

Preschool Craft & Storytime; 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana; free; 949-7307.

Read Me a Story, books read by volunteer storytellers for 12 and younger and their parents; 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; Honolulu Academy of Arts; free for children, included with admission price of $7 for parents; 532-8700.

Keiki Storytime; 10:30 a.m.; Wednesdays; Borders, Ward Centre; free; 591-8995.

Keiki Storytime, for ages 2-5; 11-11:30 a.m.; Wednesdays; Kailua Public Library; free; 266-9911.

Children's Storytime, listen to stories and learn a simple craft, for ages 3 and over; 10:30 a.m.; Thursdays; Kaimuki Public Library; free; 733-8422.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to: Lit Beat, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; fax 525-8055; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Lit Beat" in the subject line.