Literary Calendar

Poet Brenda Hillman - WSU Visiting Writer Series presents award-winning poet, teacher and activist for a public reading and discussion of “Seasonal Works with Letters on Fire” and new work. Hillman is the 2012 recipient of the Academy of American Poets Fellowship. Her books include “Practical Water,” winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Poetry, and “Seasonal Works with Letters on Fire,” winner of the 2014 Griffin Poetry Prize and the 2014 Northern California Book Award for Poetry. She currently holds the Olivia Filippi Chair in Poetry at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California. Co-sponsored by the WSU Department of English, Common Reading Program, and Gonzaga University. Monday, 5 p.m., WSU Museum of Art, Wilson Road, Pullman. Free. (509) 335-1910.

Spokane Poetry Slam - Spokane Poetry Slam is competitive performance poetry. Poets have three minutes to present their original work without costumes, props or musical accompaniment. Audience judges chosen at random score the poem and the highest cumulative score after two rounds of poetry wins the $50 grand prize. This is loud and raucous, and audience participation is highly encouraged. Content is not censored. Monday, 8 p.m., The Bartlett, 228 W. Sprague Ave. $5 to compete or audience member. (208) 340-2750.

Auntie’s Book Club Fandango - This is a chance to connect with other book lovers and club members and gather ideas for future reading selections. There will be free refreshments, books and handouts. In addition, local authors Bruce Holbert, Sherry Jones and Rachel Toor will talk about using their books in your book group. Book clubs are asked to make reservations by emailing auntiesbooks@gmail.com or by phone. Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Author Brenda Hillman - She has published eight collections of poetry. Among the numerous awards Hillman has received are the 2012 Academy of American Poets Fellowship, the 2005 William Carlos Williams Prize for poetry, and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation. Part of the Gonzaga University Visiting Writers Series. Tuesday, 7 p.m., Gonzaga University, Cataldo Hall, Globe Room, 502 E. Boone Ave. Free. (509) 313-6681.

Author Pete Fromm - Reading, discussion and signing of “If Not for This,” about Northwest river rafters who fall in love, marry, and battle the ups and downs of life. Fromm is a four-time winner of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award. Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., BookPeople, 521 S. Main St., Moscow, Idaho. (208) 882-2669.

Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale - The Friends of the Spokane Public Library begin their fall sale with a members’ only presale on Wednesday, 4:30-8 p.m. If you’re not a member, you can join on the spot for a minimum $10 donation at the membership table, open from 4-5 p.m. The sale continues Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with fill-a-bag for $3. Downtown Spokane Public Library, 906 W. Main Ave., Rooms 1A and 1B. (509) 444-5307.

Coeur d’Alene Public Library Pageturners Book Club – Discussion of “Ruby Ridge: The Truth and Tragedy of the Randy Weaver Family” by Jess Walter will be lead by civil rights activist and attorney Norm Gissel. Wednesday, 10:15 a.m., Coeur d’Alene Library, Community Room, 702 E. Front Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 769-2315, ext. 426.

“One Big Pair of Underwear” by Laura Gehl Storytime and Craft - Come count along and learn about the importance of sharing. Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, children’s section, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Literary Freedom Book Group - Discussion of “The People in the Trees” by Hanya Yanagihara. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) Writers’ Roundtable - Experienced novelists and NaNoWriMo newbies alike can connect with other writers and learn how to survive – and succeed. Come brainstorm plots, discuss characters, and share some of your own tips and resources for writing 50,000 words in one month. Thursday, 6 p.m., North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. Free. (509) 893-8350; Saturday, 2 p.m., Cheney Library, 610 First St., Cheney. Free. (509) 893-8280.

An Evening with David Barsamian - KYRS Thin Air Radio hosts the award-winning founder and director of Alternative Radio, the independent weekly audio series based in Boulder, Colorado. He will speak on “Media, Capitalism and the Environment.” He has co-authored numerous books. His latest books are “How the World Works” and “What We Say Goes” (both with Noam Chomsky) and “Targeting Iran.” Barsamian’s interviews and articles appear in The Progressive, Z and other publications. Tickets available at www.kyrs.org. Proceeds benefit KYRS. Thursday, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 4340 W. Fort Wright Drive. $10/general; free/age 12 and younger. (509) 209-2428.

Author Kim Zupan - Reading, discussion and signing of “The Ploughmen,” about a young sheriff and a hardened killer who form an uneasy and complicated bond in this mesmerizing debut novel set on the plains of Montana. Thursday, 7 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Kealoha, Hawaii’s Poet Laureate - Kealoha is the first poet laureate of Hawaii. As an internationally acclaimed poet and storyteller, he has performed throughout the world. In 2010, he was selected as a master artist for a National Endowment for the Arts program. In the seven years that he has represented Hawaii at the National Poetry Slam, he has performed on the finals stage four times, was ranked in the top 10 of the nations best poet’s in 2007, and was honored as a “National Slam Legend” in 2010. Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center, 405 N. William St., Post Falls. $15/general; $10/seniors and students. (208) 457-8950.

Ladybug Girl and the Dress-up Dilemma - Trick or treat. Put on your costume and come celebrate a few of Auntie’s favorite new stories with a special guest. Saturday, 11 a.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, children’s section, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Spokane Novelists Group - Bring seven to eight copies of a chapter/manuscript of no more than 10 pages each. Review of fiction only, including novels and short stories. Please no memoirs, poetry, children’s books or any form of nonfiction. Saturday, noon-4 p.m., Otis Orchards Community Church, 23304 E. Wellesley Ave., Otis Orchards. (509) 590-7316.

Author Esther J. Hildahl - Signing of her children’s book, “Mr. Inky: Spider With an Attitude.” The book tells the story of a lovable talking spider with bad grammar and an attitude who’s come to live in Vicki Wyatt’s bedroom and refuses to leave, telling her that it’s “his” home, too. Saturday, 2 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Poets Siobhan Scarry and Emily Carr - Siobhan Scarry and Emily Carr will present at SpoPo, a monthly living-room reading series devoted primarily to poetry. Costumes encouraged. Saturday, 7 p.m., 127 W. 25th Ave. Free. (541) 285-1728.