SPECIAL EVENTS

Library Book Sale, pocketbooks (three for 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, "War Child," with five O'ahu women sharing sometimes disturbing stories of growing up in the midst of war. www.talkstoryradio.com.

" 'Ka'a'awa" as Theatre," Billy Sage presents the first in a series of talks on "Ka'a'awa," by O.A. Bushnell, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Windward Community College Hale Akoakoa 101; free. College students, staff and the public are encouraged to read the historical novel for this year's Common Book Project. 235-7436.

Re: Verses, Allison Francis, poetry reading, open-mike session and jazz, 8-10 p.m. Tuesday (doors open 7 p.m.), The ARTS at Marks Garage; $5. 521-2903.

Speed Reading: An Introduction, Brad Kerwin teaches techniques for reading faster and overcoming blocks to comprehension, 9 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, 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.

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. Wednesday, Waimanalo Public Library; free. 622-6345.

"The Biography of the Prophet (SWS), Messenger of God: Apotheosis and Demystification," lecture by Stephen O'Harrow, noon-1:15 p.m. Thursday, UH-Manoa's Henke Hall, Room 325; part of the Brown Bag Biography series; free. 956-3774.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Gary Renard signs "The Disappearance of the Universe," 7 p.m. Wednesday, Serendipity Books. 949-4711.

Madge Walls signs "Paying the Price," 7 p.m. Friday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323. Also, 2 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Julie Wanner Rossetti signs "Diabetes Can Be Sweet ... Once you BURY It," noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Borders Express, Kahala Mall. 737-9550.

Tom Moffatt signs "Showman of the Pacific," 2 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

FOR WRITERS

Screenwriting: The Art of Story, Margaret South teaches a six-week class on the elements of story structure, character development and trends in story theory, 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 31-March 7, UH-Manoa, Krauss 012, Yukiyoshi Room; $180. Register for course L08294: 956-5666.

How to Get Published, Cristina Salat presents a two-day intensive workshop on understanding the publishing industry, story submission, working with agents and editors and promoting your project, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 and 11, Volcano Art Center, Big Island; $100. (808) 967-8222.

The Hawaii Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Conference, 3rd annual event, with speakers from the Mainland and seminars 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, dmawhar@hotmail.com.

The Hawai'i Literary Arts Council is accepting nominations for the 2005 Cades Awards for Literature for cash prizes in two categories: an established author with a large body of work relating to Hawai'i; and a new artist with substantial potential for achievement. Nominees can be poets, playwrights, novelists, essayists or other literary artists. 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 non-fiction sought by the Honolulu Branch of the National League of American Pen Women; cash prizes; $5 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, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Color Your World with Stories!, storytelling by Vicky Dworkin and Vernyce Dannells, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Kahului Public Library, Maui; free. (808) 873-3097.

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.