SPECIAL EVENTS

Book Sale, fiction books for 50 cents each and other items at low prices, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today, Pearl City Public Library; sponsored by the Friends of Pearl City Library; free. 453-6566.

"Seven Trips to China," with author and nonagenarian Carolyn Choy, 2 p.m. today, Kane'ohe Public Library; Choy will talk about her travels to the Forbidden City, Three Great Walls, Yangtze River, Silk Road, Mongolia and China's small villages; free. 233-5676.

Dean Pitchford discusses his career in composing, writing and directing with Academy for Creative Media master class, illustrated by clips from his films, "Fame" and "Footloose," 2:30-4 p.m. tomorrow, UH-Manoa Crawford Hall room 115; free. Reservations: 956-7736.

"Boomtown: Life in a Chinese Factory," illustrated lecture by Peter Hessler, author and correspondent for The New Yorker Magazine, on Lishui in Zhejian Province and the interactions between bosses and workers and the factory culture that develops over the course of a year, 4:30 p.m. tomorrow, UH-Manoa Center for Korean Studies auditorium; free, sponsored by the university's Center for Chinese Studies' Confucius Institute. 956-2692.

"Kyogen: On the Go!" comic mini-performance and workshop, 6 p.m. tomorrow, Hawai'i Kai Public Library; free. 397-5833.

Poetry Out Loud Competition, high school students enter the final qualifying round for the National Endowment for the Arts poetry competition, 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, Tenney Theatre at St. Andrew's Cathedral; free.

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

BOOK SIGNING

Dean Pitchford signs "The Big One-Oh," 2 p.m. today, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995. Also, 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Bestsellers, Bishop Square. 528-2378.

FOR WRITERS

Honolulu Chapter of The National Writers Association meeting, with manuscript critique, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana; bring 10 copies of a six or less page manuscript. 988-8043

Letter Writing Basics, Frances Oliver teaches formatting and composing business and personal communications, 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Windward Community College Hale Kuhina 107; $25. Register: 235-7433.

"Writing as if the World Matters," workshop on writing opinions and letters to the editor led by Louise Wisechild, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Volcano Art Center's Old Japanese Schoolhouse site; $50. Register: (808) 967-8222.

Aloha Performing Arts Company seeks scripts of any length and on any subject for the Aug. 15-18 Original Play Festival. Plays chosen for the festival will be mounted as staged readings, with minimal rehearsal and simple technical presentation. Submit three copies of typewritten plays without author name (include a sperate cover sheet with author's name and contact information) to: APAC OPF XIV, PO Box 794, Kealakekua, HI 96750. Additional requirements: (808) 322-9924. Postmark deadline is May 21.

FOR KEIKI

Toddler Storytime, stories, fingerplays, song for children, 2-3 years, 10 a.m. Mondays, through April 23, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Tiny Tales for Tiny Tots, stories, fingerplays, songs and a craft to take home, for 4 and younger, 9-9:45 a.m. and 10:30-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Kalihi-Palama Public Library. 832-3466.

Preschool Storytime, read-aloud stories, sing-along songs and playtime activities for ages 3-5, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays through April 17, Waipahu Public Library's C.O. Andy Anderson Room. 675-0358.

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

Preschool Craft & Storytime, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala (737-3323); and Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana (949-7307).

Preschool Craft & Storytime, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana (949-7307).

Read Me a Story, books read by volunteer storytellers, 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Keiki Reading Room in Gallery 31 (lower level of Banyan Court); for 12 and younger and their parents; free for children, included with admission price of $7 for parents. 532-8700.

Preschool Storytime, read-aloud stories, sing-along songs and playtime activities for ages 3-5, 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays through May 23, Pearl City Public Library. 453-6566.

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

Preschool Storytime, read aloud stories, sing-along songs and a simple craft for children ages 3-5, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through April 25, Wahiawa Public Library. 622-6345.

Preschool Storytime, 10 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays through April 28, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Storytime and Activities, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and a craft, 10 a.m. Saturdays through May 26, Waialua Public Library; free. 637-8286.

Saturday Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala (737-3323) and Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana (949-7307).

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.