SPECIAL EVENTS

Victor Rodger talks about his work as a New Zealand playwright and drama students present readings from his plays, 3:30 p.m. Monday, UH-Manoa Center for Korean Studies; free. 956-7700.

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/alohashorts.htm.

Talk Story Radio, weekly radio show, hosted by Jeff Gere, 5:30 p.m. Mondays on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays on KTUH 90.3 FM. "Exorcisms," with Achilles Gacis telling "Exorchismos" and Jeff Gere telling "Sensative" www.talkstoryradio.com.

Re: verses, hosts Brenda Kwon and Travis T present a Halloween program with poets Marc Marcel and Iyeoka Ivie Okowo, an open mike time, jazz by DJ Mr. Nick and costume contests, 8-10 p.m. Tuesday, The ARTS at Marks Garage; $5. 521-2903.

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.

"From Manzanar to Honouliuli," Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston shares her experiences on the internment of Japanese during World War II, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i Manoa Ballroom; Houston's books "Farewell to Manzanar and "The Legend of Fire Horse Woman" will be available for sale and signing; free. 945-7633.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Lopaka Kapanui signs "The Legend of Morgan's Corner," noon-1 p.m. today, Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse. 596-8885. Also, 2-3 p.m. today, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Mellie Enos signs "The Guide to Making Ribbon Lei," noon-1 p.m. today, Don Quijote Kaheka. 349-8221.

Henry Nalaielua and Sally-Jo Bowman read from and sign their book, "No Footprints in the Sand: a Memoir of Kalaupapa," 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse. 596-8885.

Kristina Wandzilak and Constance Curry sign "The Lost Years: Surviving a Mother and Daughter's Worst Nightmare," 7 p.m. Thursday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

Susan Middleton signs "Archipelago," 8:30-10:30 a.m. Friday, Waikik” Aquarium. 923-9741, ext. 3.

Laurie Ide signs "Okazu at the Zoo," 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

Mackinnon Simpson signs "Century of Aloha: The Creation of Modern Honolulu, 1905-2005," noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse. 596-8885.

Tammy Yee signs "The Hawaiian Goodbye Book," noon Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995. Also, 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Pearlridge. 487-1818.

Paul Wood and Ron Dahlquist sign "Orchid Isles: the Story of Orchids in Hawai'i," and other books on Hawaiian flora, noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Maui Marketplace, Kahului, Maui. (808) 877-6160.

Dean Okimoto signs "The Hawai'i Farmers Market Cookbook," 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

FOR WRITERS

Young Minds III, roundtable discussion and critique of the first five to 10 pages of your children's or young adult's writing project, led by Cristina Salat, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Volcano Art Center, Big Island; $55. (808) 967-8222.

O'ahu Arts Center seeks entries in fiction, nonfiction and poetry for its third annual writing contest for cash awards. One entry per category, $10 per entry. Prospectus: www.oahuartscenter.org, 848-7632. Deadline is Nov. 10.

Hawai'i Pacific University seeks entries for the James M. Vaughan Poetry Awards with a $500 cash prize and publication in the Hawai'i Pacific Review. Send three unpublished poems, no longer than 100 lines each, with a short personal biography and your name, address, phone and e-mail address to: James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry, 1060 Bishop St., Suite 7, Honolulu, HI 96813. Additional information: 544-1108. Postmark deadline is Dec. 15.

2006 Kumu Kahua Theatre/UHM Theatre Department Playwriting Contest, prizes in three categories: plays set in Hawai'i or reflect the Hawaiian experience by residents or nonresidents, plays set in or dealing with Pacific Island, Pacific Rim or Pacific/Asian American experience by residents or nonresidents, and plays on any topic written by Hawai'i residents. Complete information: 536-4222, www.kumukahua.org. Entry deadline is Jan. 2.

FOR KEIKI

Toddler Storytime, stories, sing-alongs and crafts for ages 2-3, 10 a.m. Mondays, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Preschool Storytime, sing-alongs, craft activities and stories, 10 a.m. Monday, Kea'au Public & School Library, Big Island. (808) 982-4281.

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.

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

Pre-School Storytime and Activities, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Waipahu Public Library; free. 675-0358.

Preschool Craft & Storytime, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall (737-3323) and Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center (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 under and their parents; free for children, included with admission price of $7 for parents. 532-8700.

"Chicken Skin Tales," Pam Akina and friends share spooky stories, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Kahuku Public & School Library. 293-8935.

Preschool Storytime, stories and playtime for children 2 1/2 and older, 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Pearl City Public Library. 453-6566.

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

Pre-School Storytime, stories read aloud, sing-along songs and a simple craft, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Liliha Public Library. 587-7577.

"Thanksgiving," preschool activity night presented by Oogles N Googles to encourage reading to children, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Kane'ohe Public Library; for children ages 2 and over. 233-5676.

Storytimes, stories, sing-alongs and crafts for preschool children, 10 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Saturday Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323

Saturday Morning Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

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.