SPECIAL EVENTS

Talk Story Radio, weekly radio show, hosted by Jeff Gere; 5:30 p.m.; July 30; broadcast on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM, 7 p.m.; Aug. 2; on KTUH 90.3 FM. This week: Witchy Boney Tongue stories told by Janet Yap, Johnny Moses and Bret Fetzer. www.talkstoryradio.com.

re: Verses, hosted by Lyz and TravisT, followed by music from DJ Mr. Nick; 8-10 p.m. (doors open 7 p.m.); July 31; The ARTS at Marks Garage; $5; 753-4661.

Youth Speaks Hawai'i, slam poetry workshops, hosted by Kealoha, TravisT, Melvin, Darron and Lyz; 4-5:30 p.m.; Aug. 1; The ARTS at Marks Garage; free; 387-9664.

First Thursday Poetry Slam, hosted by Kealoha with guest Sonya Renee (National Slam Champion) and the "No Rules" summer slam; 8:30 p.m.; Aug. 2; Ala Moana hotel's Hawaiian Hut; $3 prior to and $5 after 8:30 p.m.; evening's poetry winner receives $100; www.hawaiislam.com, 387-9664.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Duane "Dog" Chapman signs "You Can Run, But You Can't Hide"; 7 p.m.; Aug. 1; Center Court, Kahala Mall, sponsored by Barnes & Noble, Kahala; free; 737-3323.

Patricia Wood signs "Lottery"; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; Aug. 2; Bestsellers, Bishop Square; 528-2378. Also, 12-1 p.m.; Aug. 4; Bookends, Kailua; 261-1996.

Chef Michael Gallagher signs "Gourmet Cuisine Island Style" and "The Maui Chef Seafood Cookbook," and photographer Ron Dahlquist signs "Orchid Isles," "Flowers & Plants of Hawai'i" and other books during the Maui Sugar Plantation Festival; 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Aug. 4; Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum; Maui; 808-871-8058.

FOR WRITERS

How to Get Your Book Published, workshop led by Rich Budnick on the advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing, how to earn a profit, how to find a printer and distributor and how to obtain the forms you need; 7-8 p.m.; Aug. 2; 'Aiea Public Library; free; 483-7333.

The Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts seeks applications from nonprofit organizations on O'ahu for grants to create original art, between the dates of Dec. 1 and Nov. 30, 2008, in the fields of dance, theater, music and literature which would benefit residents on O'ahu; hand-deliver or mail by Aug. 23 to MOCA, 530 S. King St., room 404, Honolulu, HI 96813. Information and applications: 523-4674, moca-grant@honolulu.gov.

FOR KEIKI

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.

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

Keiki Storytime, for ages 2-5; 11-11:30 a.m.; Wednesdays; Kailua Public Library; free; 266-9911.

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.