SPECIAL EVENTS

2007 Fall Festival of Writers, performances, panel discussions and talks with playwrights from the Asia/Pacific region; various times; Oct. 3 to Oct. 5; UH-Manoa and Kumu Kahua Theatre; free; 956-7619 for event times and locations.

Chang-rae Lee, award-winning author, reads from his works; 7-8 p.m.; Oct. 4; Wo International Center, Punahou School; free; 943-3685.

Adult Story Program: "The Joy Luck Club," portions of the novel by Amy Tan are read aloud by guest readers; 12-1 p.m.; Wednesdays through Nov. 21; state Library; free; 586-3499.

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.

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; www.talkstoryradio.com.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Celine Nelsen will sign her book, "No Matter What!", 2-3 p.m. Sept. 30 at Borders Pearlridge; 487-1818.

Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Jodi Endo Chai will sign their book, "The Puka Guide: 100 Hawaiian-Style Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants," 12:30-1:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at Bestsellers Bishop Square, 2-3 p.m. Oct. 6 at Barnes & Noble Kahala Mall; 587-7766.

Frances H. Kakugawa will sign and give a presentation of her book, "Wordsworth Dances the Waltz," in Hilo. Signings: 9:30 a.m. Oct. 3 at The Book Gallery, 6 p.m. Oct. 5 at Basically Books, 12 p.m. at Borders; 587-7766. Presentation: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; Oct. 4; Church of the Holy Cross; free; reservations requested: 808-969-1733.

Wendy Miyake will sign her book, "The Bodhisattva Club: Adventures in France with the Great Mother," 1-3 p.m. Oct. 6 at The Wedding Cafe; 728-2653.

FOR WRITERS

"Who's Talking When — Point of View, Past and Present," writing workshop with author Louise Wisechild; 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Oct. 6; Volcano Art Center, Volcano Village, Big Island; $55, financial aid available; 808-967-8222.

Honolulu Writers Conference, meet with literary agents and book publishers and attend workshops on a variety of topics; 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Oct. 20; Neal Blaisdell Center; $70; more information and registration: 395-1161, alohapress@hawaiiantel.net.

Hawai'i Pacific University seeks entries from Hawai'i residents of one year or longer for the James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry: Submit three poems, each 100 lines or less, with contact information and the names of the three poems on a cover letter but no name on all other pages, plus a five-line biography to James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry, 1060 Bishop St., LB 7A, Honolulu, HI 96813. Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 1. 544-1108.

FOR KEIKI

Hawaii Center for the Book, Letters About Literature essay contest for grades 4 through 12; deadline for entries Dec. 14; 586-3555.

O'ahu Family and Community Education Essay and Artwork Contest for fourth-graders; through Jan. 31; 455-2740.

Preschool storytime, 30-minute storytimes for ages 3 to 5; 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 11 through Nov. 13; Mililani Public Library; free; 627-7470.

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.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, finger plays, sing-alongs and a craft for ages 2 1/2 and older, 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays; Pearl City Public Library; free; 453-6566.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and a simple craft for ages 3-5, 10:30-11 a.m.; Wednesdays; Wahiawa Public Library; free; 622-6345.

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

Puzzletime storytime, toddler stories and songs with time for educational board puzzles for ages 18 months and older, 9:30 p.m. Thursdays; Pearl City Public Library; free; 453-6566.

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.

Children's storytime; 3 p.m.; third Thursday of the month through May 2008; Kalihi-Palama Public Library; free; 832-3466.

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.