Literary Calendar

Spokane Poetry Slam – Spokane Poetry Slam is competitive performance poetry. Poets have three minutes to present 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. Sign-ups at 8:30 p.m., Slam at 9 p.m. Age 21 and older. Today, Lantern Tap House, 1004 S. Perry St. $5/to compete; $5/suggested audience donation. (509) 315-9531.

Author J.A. Jance - New York Times best-selling author of the J.P. Beaumont series, the Joanna Brady series, the Ali Reynolds series, and four interrelated thrillers about the Walker family. She presents her latest J.P. Beaumont novel, “Second Watch”, as well as a new release of her poetry book, “After the Fire: A Memoir in Poetry and Prose.” Monday, 7 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Pirate Preschool Storytime and Craft - Shiver me timbers! Come down for storytime and decorate pirate hats, or you’ll walk the plank. Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, children’s section, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

“A Porcupine Named Fluffy” - Fluffy wants to become fluffier, so he decides to climb a tree and pretend to be a cloud. He even poses as a pillow. When he meets Hippo, a rhinoceros, it puts his plight in perspective and he makes a friend. Treats will follow. Wednesday, 2 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 922-4104.

Author Jess Walter – The Racial & Social Justice Committee’s Beloved Community Book Club will discuss Jess Walter’s “We Live in Water.” The author will make a brief appearance. Wednesday, 5:30-7 p.m., YWCA of Spokane, 930 N. Monroe St. (509) 326-1190.

Inland Northwest Writer’s Guild - Meeting for published and unpublished writers to read their latest works, discuss ideas and work with writing exercises. Beginning authors will read from their work. All are welcome. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 838-0206.

Author Kathy McIntosh - Reading, discussion and signing of “Mustard’s Last Stand.” It is a humorous suspense novel pitting a struggling screenwriter and his off-beat environmental activist brother against a developer determined to open a faux African safari in North Idaho. Thursday, 7 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

“Open the Door to Your Creative Writing” - The Idaho Writers League Conference annual event is being hosted by the Sandpoint Chapter. This two-day conference will have numerous speakers and workshops for writers of all skill levels. Topics include self-publishing, poetry, criminal profiling and behavior analysis, and critiques. Visit the Idaho Writers League website at idahowritersleague.com for full details. You need not be a member to attend. Friday and Saturday, Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave., Sandpoint. $140/members; $150 nonmembers. (208) 265-2051.

Bedtime Stories Spokane 2013 - The annual literary gala offers an evening of food, wine and words. Several of the Northwest’s most celebrated authors will unveil original short works inspired by the event theme, “Pillow Talk.” This year’s writers are Washington state Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken, Sharma Shields, Shawn Vestal and Jess Walter. The emcee is Gary Stokes, executive director of Friends of KSPS. This is a fundraiser supporting Humanities Washington’s efforts to spark critical thinking and conversation, nurturing thoughtful and engaged communities across our state. Individual tickets available online at www.btsspokane.eventbrite.com. Friday, 6 p.m., Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside Ave. $75. (206) 682-1770.

Local Author Saturday Series - 10 a.m., Dale Maron presents “Pentdoku Puzzles: Logical Brain Teasers,” and Aziz Makhani presents “Kickshot.” 11 a.m., Bill Lipe presents “Cliff Dwellers of Cedar Mesa: The Culture, Sites, and Exodus of the Ancestral Puebloans.” Noon, Mike Bullard presents “Lioness of Idaho, Louise Shadduck and the Power of Polite.” 6 p.m., Jordan Hanssen presents “Rowing into the Son.” Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., BookPeople, 521 S. Main St., Moscow. Free. (208) 882-2669.

LCHS Journal Used Book Sale - Sponsored by the Lewis and Clark High School newspaper staff. Come help raise funds to publish one of the last high school newspapers in the Spokane area. Saturday, 9 a.m., Community Building, 35 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 354-6940.

Friends of the Library Book Sale - All hardbacks and books on tape are $1; paperbacks, DVDs, cassettes are 50 cents. The money goes to support the Argonne Library programs. Saturday, 10 a.m., Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne Road, Millwood. Free. (509) 893-8260.

Barney the Barnacle Storytime - Jodiann Schott, author of “Nana’s House,” returns with “Barney the Barnacle.” It is a story about the importance of choosing the right kind of friends. Saturday, 11 a.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Curious George Curiousity Day - Curious George is fascinated by the world around him and loves having new experiences. Since there are many stories to choose from, those who come to Storytime can vote on their favorite story from Curious George’s 5-Minute Stories. Curious treats will follow. Saturday, 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 922-4104.

Hands-On Learning: Crocodile Creek Circus Tower Puzzle - Children ages 3-7 will have fun at this group activity as they build a beautiful, four-foot-high Circus Tower puzzle by popular designer Crocodile Creek. They’ll practice counting animals and naming them. Space is limited, registration required. Saturday, 11:30 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 922-4104.

Author Mark Porter - First there was “Escape,” then “Exile,” and now Porter presents the third book in his science fiction Phenderian series, “Excursion.” Saturday, 2 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, main floor, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Author Scott Elliott – An independent logger desperate for work and a place to hide has come to Temple Grove, one of the last stands of ancient Douglas firs on the Olympic Peninsula not under federal protection, for the money to be made in timber. There to stop him is a young Makah environmentalist who will break the law to save the trees. It is a gripping tale of suspense and a multi-layered novel of place. Scott Elliott is an associate professor of creative writing and English at Whitman College in Walla Walla. Saturday, 7 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, mezzanine, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.