Literary Scene Gets Into the Act at Stores

The literary scene is overflowing with bookstore happenings this week around the county.

You can add the recently reopened Book Mall in downtown Ventura to the list of venues where you may do more than pick up a rare or out-of-print book. You can still find used books, old posters and maps there, but according to in-house promoter Lisbet Frey, other events are being planned.

For example, you might listen to a loosely staged reading of “Wind-a-Blowin’,” a play by Ventura writer Lou Tappon about a time in the life of Robert Louis Stevenson. The play is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 2. You can find out more about other upcoming events at the shop at 105 S. Oak St., 641-2665.

The Book Mall also hosts the monthly meeting of The Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network on the third Wednesday at 7 p.m. This Wednesday, the featured speaker will be Ojai author Paula Spellman, who recently completed “Code to Victory: Coming of Age in World War II,” for WWII veteran Arnold C. Franco. If you’ve ever considered writing about or for someone else, you might want to hear Spellman on “Ghostwriters and Fleshwriters--the Challenges and Rewards of Writing for Others.”

For more information, contact Patricia Frye at 646-3045 or e-mail PLF@aol.com.

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The 27th annual Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference runs June 18-25, and several events are open to the public.

They include an appearance at 4 p.m. Saturday by “Peanuts” creator and cartoonist Charles Schulz, who will speak on “The Peanuts Gang and Me.”

At 5 p.m., authors Leslie Dixon and Catherine Ryan Hyde will discuss “From Novel to Screenplay,” and at 8 p.m., Ray Bradbury will speak on “The Mixture as Before.”

All events will take place in the auditorium of the Miramar Hotel in Montecito, and admission is $7 per event.

For more information about these and other events open to the public, call Mary Conrad at 684-2250.

MORE HAPPENINGS

* Today at 11 a.m. Kathy Reichs will discuss and sign “Death Du Jour.” Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 378-0084, https://www.mysteriestodiefor.com.

* Today at 2 p.m. Kenneth Garett and William Rose will sign and discuss “Relationship Styles & Patterns.” Garrett is a licensed psychologist and Rose is a psychotherapist. Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

* Today at 2:30 p.m. Listen and read the ballets “Swan Lake” and “The Firebird.” Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 446-2820.

* Today at 4 p.m. Young adult discussion group led by Wildwood Elementary librarian Mary Lock on “The Second Mrs. Gioconda” by Newbery Medal winner E.L. Konigsburg. Borders, 497-8159.

* Monday at 7:30 p.m. Jane Drucker will sign and discuss “Families of Value: Gay & Lesbian Parents and Their Children Speak Out.” Calabasas Barnes & Noble, 4735 Commons Way, (818) 222-8542.

* Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. Kimberly Causey will discuss and sign “The Furniture Factory Outlet Guide” at Calabasas Barnes & Noble, (818) 222-0542.

* Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Short Stories Group will discuss “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Borders, 497-8159.

* Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Writing Group offers an opportunity to give and receive feedback about poetry, short stories, novels and other works in progress. Ventura Barnes & Noble., 4360 E. Main St., 339-9170.

* Wednesday at 7 p.m. Author Robin Maxwell will discuss and sign her new book, “The Queen’s Bastard.” Borders, 497-8159.

* Wednesday at 7 p.m. The monthly meeting of the Ventura County Chapter of Small Publishers and Writers Network. The Book Mall, 105 S. Oak St., Ventura, 641-2665.

* Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Jane Drucker will sign and discuss “Families of Value: Gay & Lesbian Parents and Their Children Speak Out.” Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 446-2820.

* Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ray Bradbury will sign his books at Phantom Bookshop. Reservations recommended. 451 E. Main St., Ventura, 641-3844.

* Friday at 7 p.m. Story time, followed by a visit by Raggedy Ann. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Saturday at 11 a.m. Bill Moody will discuss and sign “Bird Lives!” at Mysteries to Die For, 374-0084.

* Saturday at noon. Comedian/actor/author Richard Belzer will sign and discuss his new book, “UFOs, JFK and Elvis.” Borders, 497-8159.

* Saturday at 2 p.m. Patricia Nell Warren will read and discuss her book, “The Front Runner,” a gay love story, at a meeting of the Friends of Dorothy reading group. Ventura Barnes & Noble. 339-9170.

* Saturday at 7 p.m. Clifford the Big Red Dog visits Pajamamania story time. Borders, 497-8159.

* June 20 at 4 p.m. Betty DeGeneres will read and sign her new book, “Love Ellen, A Mother/Daughter Journey.” Local Hero Bookshop, 254 E. Ojai, 646-3165.

Catch you next week.

Information about book signings, writers groups or publishing events can be faxed to Ann Shields at 647-5649 or e-mailed to anns40@aol.com