SPECIAL EVENTS

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

Aloha Shorts, weekly radio show with readings of short stories from local authors, 5 p.m. Mondays, on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 with host Cedric Yamanaka. www.hawaiipublicradio.org/aloha shorts.htm.

Talk Story Radio, weekly radio show, hosted by Jeff Gere, with Island storytellers telling Hawaiian and Pacific Rim stories, 5:30 p.m. Mondays on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM, and 7 p.m. Thursdays on KTUH 90.3 FM. This week's stories: "Peace Tales." www.talkstoryra dio.com.

"Shadows of a Geisha," panel discussion on how racial and gender stereotypes, as portrayed in the recent book and movie, "Memoirs of a Geisha," affect the careers of Japanese women, 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, fifth floor conference room; free. 945-7633.

Rich Budnick presents a workshop on discovering Hawai'i's history and discusses his book, "Hawaii's Forgotten History, 1900-1999,", 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wahiawa Public Library; free. 622-6345.

Speed Reading: an Introduction, Brad Kerwin teaches techniques for reading faster and overcoming blocks to comprehension, 9 a.m.-noon, Wednesday and Feb. 1, Windward Community College, Hale Akoakoa; $15. 235-7433.

Poetry Slam Workshop for Teens, ongoing Youth Speaks Hawai'i workshops in written and spoken word for students ages 13-19, working with members of the HawaiiSlam team, 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, The ARTS at Marks Garage; free. 387-9664.

"Finding Treasures," lecture by Jackie J. Kim on recording the lives of first-generation Korean women in Japan, noon-1:15 p.m. Thursday, UH-Manoa's Henke Hall, Room 325; part of the Brown Bag Biography series; free. 956-3774.

Booksale, fiction, classics, cookbooks, travel books, children's books, videos, and paperbacks, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Liliha Library; free admission. 587-7577.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Bob Sigall signs and discusses "The Companies We Keep," 2 p.m. today, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

Brandon Wilson reads from his "Dead Men Don't Leave Tips," 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Kahului Public Library, Maui; free. (808) 873-3097.

Peter Leiataua AhChing signs "Polynesian Interconnections," noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse. 596-8885.

Rich Budnick signs "Hawaii's Forgotten History 1900-1999," noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Borders Express, Kahala Mall. 737-9550.

Dorothea N. Buckingham signs "Poisoned Palms," 2 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

Julie Wanner Rossetti signs "Diabetes Can Be Sweet ... If You BURY It," 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

Tom Moffatt signs "The Showman of the Pacific: 50 Years of Radio and Rock Stars," 2 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995. Also, 4-5 p.m. Borders Express, Windward Mall, Kane'ohe. 235-8044.

FOR WRITERS

The Hawaii Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Conference, 3rd annual event with speakers from the Mainland and seminars led by local authors, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. March 4 at the Ala Moana Hotel. In addition, a manuscript critique program will be offered. Deadline for conference registration is Feb. 17. Deadline for submission of manuscripts is Feb. 9. 377-5651. Details on sessions and costs: 377-5651, dma whar@hotmail.com.

The Hawai'i Literary Arts Council is accepting nominations for the 2005 Cades Awards for Literature for cash prizes in two categories: first, an established author with a large body of work relating to Hawai'i, and second, a new artist with substantial potential for achievement. Nominees can be poets, playwrights, novelists, essayists or other literary artist. Send nomination with supporting materials to Hawai'i Literary Arts Council, P.O. Box 11213, Honolulu, HI 96828. Deadline for nominations is Feb. 15.

2006 Lorin Tarr Gill Writing Competition, entries of poetry, fiction and nonfiction sought for cash prizes by the Honolulu Branch of the National League of American Pen Women. $5 entry fee per entry, limited to one entry per genre per person. Guidelines and application at www.nlapwhonolulu.org. Deadline is March 10.

VSA arts seeks submissions of original one-act plays from students in grades 6-12 for the 22nd annual Playwright Discovery Award. Two winning scripts, which express how disability affects a person's life, will be selected for performance at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and the authors will receive up to $1,500 and a trip to Washington, D.C. to see their play performed. Guidelines and application: www.vsarts.org, (800) 933-8721. Submission deadline is April 14.

FOR KEIKI

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

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 Mall. 737-3323.

Keiki Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

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