Self-Published Novel Ends Up 3-Year Bestseller

James Redfield had to self-publish his novel “The Celestine Prophecy” because no publisher would touch it. A buzz began among its readers, which led to Warner Books, a major New York house, picking it up.

A publishing phenomenon, the novel has been sitting on bestseller lists for close to three years. And Barnes & Noble is thrilled to announce that Redfield will sign “Prophecy” and his new bestseller, “The Tenth Insight,” at 6 p.m. Monday at 4360 E. Main St., Ventura.

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Three authors are scheduled to visit Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Margaret Coel will sign “The Ghost Walker,” featuring Father John O’Malley, at noon Friday. Shari P. Geller’s first novel, “Fatal Convictions,” which she will sign at 11 a.m. Saturday, focuses on a woman seeking revenge against child molesters. And new author Steve Oliver signs “Moody Gets the Blues” at 2 p.m. Saturday.

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Jim Lane, co-author of “Finding the Key to Your Castle” and president of the Ventura County Writers Club, will conduct a seminar on a variety of ways to “Make a Living as a Professional Writer” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Performance Studio, 34 N. Palm St., Ventura. Sponsored by the Small Publishers, Artists & Writers Network, the fee is $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Call 643-2403.

Script consultant Susan Marx will describe “How to Be a Hollywood Story Analyst” at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Learning Tree University’s Thousand Oaks campus. Call 497-2292.

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The nationally known and acclaimed author-illustrator collaborators Audrey and Don Wood have just released their latest book, “Bright and Early Thursday Evening.” This peculiar, computer-enhanced tale for ages 5-plus is a dense jumble of nightmare creatures interacting with humans.

One illustration depicts a close-up of an unappealing woman swallowing a man. Another scene shows a young woman being married by a crocodile to an Idaho potato. The dialogue reads: “Then the crocodile read our wedding vows, And pronounced us single, of course.”

I find the twisted concept of this book for young children troubling. The Woods, who live in Santa Barbara, will sign at 11 a.m. Saturday at Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura.

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Tim Smith will sign “The Relaxed Parent Book” at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Borders Books, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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D’ellen will read poetry at 8 p.m. Tuesday at 2 West Coffee Company, Ventura. Call 643-6411 about open readings.

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In Santa Barbara

Columnist Susan Gulbransen describes “How to Apply Fiction Techniques to Nonfiction Writing” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Room 21 at Schott Adult Education Center, 310 W. Padre St. Register at the class or call 687-0812.

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Local children’s-book authors Lee Wardlaw, Marni McGee, Ellen Jackson, Francess Lantz, Hope Slaughter and illustrator Susan Torrence will sign their many titles at 2 p.m. Sunday at Chaucer’s, 3321 State St., Loreto Plaza.

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Biochemist Stephen Cherniske, a local medical writer and author, will share his research results about the controversial hormone DHEA and sign his book “The DHEA Breakthrough” at 3 p.m. Sunday at Earthling Bookshop, 1137 State St.

Frances Halpern is co-host with Jon O’Brien of “Beyond Words,” which airs at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU 88.3 FM, Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.