SPECIAL EVENTS

"Gaijin Yokozuna: A Biography of Chad Rowan," reading by author Mark Panek; 6:30-8 p.m.; Oct. 16; UH-Hilo, UCB 100; free; registration: 808-974-7664.

Pele and Hi'iaka literature in Hawaiian-language newspapers, lecture by Ku'ualoha Ho'omanawa-nui, UH-Manoa assistant professor of English; 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Oct. 17; Hamilton Library, UH-Manoa; free; 956-9932.

Ghost stories, told by storyteller Dann Seki; 6:30 p.m.; Oct. 17; Wai'anae Public Library; free; 697-7868.

Book sale; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Oct. 20; Waipahu Public Library; 675-0358.

Adult Story Program: "The Joy Luck Club," portions of the novel by Amy Tan are read aloud by guest readers; 12-1 p.m.; Wednesdays through Nov. 21; state Library; free; 586-3499.

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 Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays; on KTUH 90.3 FM; www.talkstoryradio.com.

BOOK SIGNINGS

University of Hawai'i football head coach June Jones will autograph copies of J. David Miller's book, "Hawai'i Warrior Football: A Story of Faith, Hope, and Redemption," for which Jones wrote the foreword, at the Holiday Food & New Products Show; 1 p.m.; Oct. 14; Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall; $5 ($4 seniors, military and children 7-12); 734-7159.

Kerry Germain will sign her book, "Kimo's Surfing Lesson," 2-3 p.m. Oct. 14 at Borders Windward Mall; 734-7159.

Tammy Yee will sign her children's books, including "Baby Honu Saves the Day," "Baby Honu's Incredible Journey" and "The Hawaiian Goodbye Book," 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 17 at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve; 564-8856.

FOR WRITERS

Honolulu Writers Conference, meet with literary agents and book publishers, and attend workshops on a variety of topics; 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Oct. 20; Neal Blaisdell Center; $70; more information and registration: 395-1161, alohapress@hawaiiantel.net.

Writing About Places, with Tom Peek; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Oct. 20; Volcano Art Center, Volcano Village, Big Island; $60, financial aid available; 808-967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is accepting nominations for the Hawai'i Award for Literature; deadline Nov. 23; information: 586-9965, www.hawaii.gov/sfca.

Hawai'i Pacific University seeks entries from Hawai'i residents of one year or longer for the James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry: Submit three poems, each 100 lines or less, with contact information and the names of the three poems on a cover letter but no name on all other pages, plus a five-line biography to James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry, 1060 Bishop St., LB 7A, Honolulu, HI 96813. Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 1. 544-1108.

FOR KEIKI

Hawaii Center for the Book, Letters About Literature essay contest for grades 4 through 12; deadline for entries Dec. 14; 586-3555.

O'ahu Family and Community Education Essay and Artwork Contest for fourth-graders; through Jan. 31; 455-2740.

Keiki storytime, 45-minute storytimes followed by simple craft for ages 3 and older; 10 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays; Kapolei Public Library; free; 693-7050.

Preschool storytime, 30-minute storytimes for ages 3 to 5; 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 11 through Nov. 13; Mililani Public Library; free; 627-7470.

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, stories read aloud, finger plays and occasional crafts for ages 2 to 5; 11-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 31 and from Nov. 14 to Dec. 19; free; 266-9911.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, finger plays, sing-alongs and a craft for ages 2 1/2 and older, 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays; Pearl City Public Library; free; 453-6566.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and a simple craft for ages 3-5, 10:30-11 a.m.; Wednesdays; Wahiawa Public Library; free; 622-6345.

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

Puzzletime storytime, toddler stories and songs with time for educational board puzzles for ages 18 months and older, 9:30 p.m. Thursdays; Pearl City Public Library; free; 453-6566.

Children's storytime, listen to stories and learn a simple craft, for ages 3 and up; 10:30 a.m. Thursdays; Kaimuki Public Library; free; 733-8422.

Children's storytime; 3 p.m.; third Thursday of the month through May 2008; 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; fax 525-8055; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Lit Beat" in the subject line.