SPECIAL EVENTS

"How To Get Your Book Published," one-hour workshop on self-publishing by local author and book consultant Rich Budnick, suitable for teenagers through adults; 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 19; Mililani Public Library; free; 627-7470.

" 'A Nation of a Hundred Million Idiots': Writing a Social History of Japanese Television," lecture by Jayson M. Chun, UH-West O'ahu assistant professor of history; 121:15 p.m.; Sept. 20; UH-Manoa, Henke Hall 325; free; 956-3774.

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.

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 SIGNINGS

Frances H. Kakugawa will sign her book, "Wordsworth Dances the Waltz," 2 p.m. Sept. 16 at Borders Waikele, 12 p.m. Sept. 22 at Borders Windward Mall; 587-7766.

Leslie Hayashi and Kathy Bishop will sign their book, "A Fishy Alphabet in Hawaii," 12-1 p.m. Sept. 22; Borders Ward Centre; 732-1709.

Patricia Wood will sign her book, "The Lottery," 2 p.m. Sept. 22; Borders Ward Centre; 591-8995.

Janice Crowl will sign her book, "Container Gardening in Hawaii," 12-1 p.m. Sept. 22 at Borders Waikele, 2-3 p.m. Sept. 22 at Borders Windward Mall; 732-1709.

FOR WRITERS

Hawai'i Pacific University seeks entries from Hawai'i resident 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

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.

Pre-School 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.

Pre-School 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.

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.