See a comprehensive listing at www.honoluluadvertiser.com/islandlife.

SPECIAL

Aloha Shorts, live taping of weekly radio show with readings of short stories from local authors with host Cedric Yamanaka; 7 p.m. May 4; on Hawai'i Public Radio station KIPO 89.3; free; 955-8821.

NATIONAL WRITERS ASSOCIATION MEETING, with manuscript critique. Bring at least 10 copies of one manuscript, five pages or less, double-spaced, on one side only; 7 p.m. May 6; Borders, Ward Centre; free; 845-9585.

"BAMBOO RIDGE," journal of Hawai'i literature and arts celebrating 30 years of local literature; 6:30 p.m. May 9; Native Book/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse; free; www.bambooridge.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.

"Talk Story Radio," weekly radio show, hosted by Jeff Gere; 5:30 p.m. Mondays; broadcast on KTUH 90.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays; www.talkstoryradio.com.

BOOK SIGNINGS

STAGE PRESENCE, conversations with Filipino American Performing Artists. Book signing and reading featuring Gabe Baltazar Jr., Theo Gonzalves and Ric Trimillos, sponsored by The Filipino American Historical Society of Hawai'i; 1 p.m. May 4; Revolution Books; 944-3106.

BRUNA STUDE will sign her book, "In-Sight"; 2 p.m. May 10; Borders, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

FOR WRITERS

Aloha Performing Arts Company seeks new, unpublished scripts of any length and subject for its annual Original Play Festival, Aug. 13-17 at the Aloha Theatre, Kainaliu, Big Island; postmark by May 23; submission details and more information: 808-322-9924, www.apachawaii.org.

FOR KEIKI

Toddler time storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and rhymes, for babies to toddlers up to age 3; 10-10:30 a.m. Mondays; state library; free; 586-3510.

Keiki storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs, finger plays and a simple craft, for ages 3 and older; 10-10:45 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays; Kapolei Public Library; free; 693-7050.

Toddler storytime, books, finger plays, matching games and songs, for ages 2-3; 10 a.m. Tuesdays; McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library; free; 973-1099.

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 $7 admission for parents; 532-8700.

Keiki storytime, stories, songs, sing-alongs and other activities; 1010:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Kahuku Public & School Library; free; 293-8935.

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

Keiki storytime, stories read aloud, finger plays and occasional crafts for ages 2-5; 11 a.m. Wednesdays; Kailua Public Library; free; 266-9911.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs, finger plays and a simple craft, for ages 3-5; 4 p.m. Wednesdays; Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library; free; 733-8488.

Children's storytime; 3 p.m.; third Thursday of the month through May; Kalihi-Palama Public Library; free; 832-3466.

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