SPECIAL EVENTS

"Story as Tool," discussion of themes in the book "Ishmael," part of Windward Community College's Common Book program; 4 p.m.; Sept. 25; WCC; free; 236-9224.

"An Offering of Rice," reception and book launch with author Mavis Hara; 7 p.m.; Sept. 27; UH-Manoa Campus Center Ballroom; free; 626-1481.

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.

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.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Janice Crowl will sign her book, "Container Gardening in Hawaii," 12-1 p.m. Sept. 23 at Borders Pearlridge, 2-3 p.m. Sept. 23 at Borders Ward Centre; 732-1709.

Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Jodi Endo Chai will sign their book, "The Puka Guide: 100 Hawaiian-Style Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants," 12-1 p.m. Sept. 23 at Borders Windward Mall, 12-1 p.m. Sept. 29 at Borders Ward Centre, 2-3 p.m. Sept. 29 at Borders Waikele; call bookstores for more information.

Frances H. Kakugawa will sign and read from her book, "Wordsworth Dances the Waltz": signings, 2 p.m. Sept. 23 at Borders Pearlridge, 11 a.m. Sept. 29 at Barnes & Noble Kahala; reading, 5 p.m. Sept. 25 at Salt Lake Public Library; 587-7766.

Mavis Hara will sign her book, "An Offering of Rice," 10:45 a.m. Sept. 26; Kapi'olani Community College; 626-1481.

Celine Nelsen will sign her book, "No Matter What!", 12-1 p.m. Sept. 29 at Borders Windward Mall, 2-3 p.m. Sept. 30 at Borders Pearlridge; call bookstores for more information.

FOR WRITERS

Writing retreat, meet and write with other beginning and experienced writers, 16 and older; 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sept. 29; Windward Community College; $5; register: 235-7433.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.