Literary Calendar

3 FRIDAY

7 P.M. Cartoonist and novelist Lynda Barry, creator of the syndicated strip "Ernie Pook's Comeek," discusses and signs What It Is, her gathering of at times autobiographical collages exploring the meaning of art, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

4 SATURDAY

10 A.M. The Library of Congress hosts the 15th annual presentation of the Américas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature, sponsored by the Univ. of Wisconsin (Milwaukee) in recognition of "U.S. works of fiction, poetry, folklore or selected non-fiction published in the previous year in English or Spanish that authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean or Latinos in the United States." The 2007 honorees are author Pat Mora and illustrator Rafael Lopez for the picture book Yum! Mmmm! Qué Rico!: America's Sproutings, and author Laura Resau for the YA novel Red Glass. A continental breakfast at 9:30 a.m. will precede the ceremony, which takes place in the James Madison Bldg., Mumford Room, 101 Independence Ave. SE. The event is free, but reservations are required; call 202-707-2013.

1 P.M. Children's book author and illustrator Mike Thompson reads from and signs his new book, Chicken Boy and the Wrath of Dr. Dimwad, at Borders Books-Fredericksburg, 1220 Carl D. Silver Pkwy., Fredericksburg, Va., 540-785-6171.

5 SUNDAY

10 A.M. Katherine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church and author of A Wing and a Prayer: A Message of Faith and Hope, discusses the state of the church in the 21st century as part of "The Sunday Forum: Critical Issues in the Light of Faith," a weekly series held prior to the 11:15 a.m. service at the Washington National Cathedral, hosted by Dean Sam Lloyd. The cathedral is located at Wisconsin & Massachusetts Aves. NW; call 202-364-6616 or visit http://www.nationalcathedral.org.

1 P.M. Ken Silverstein, the Washington editor of Harper's magazine, discusses and signs Turkmeniscam: How Washington Lobbyists Fought to Flack for a Stalinist Dictatorship at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

3 P.M. The Howard County Poetry and Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo) presents "A Family Affair: Poetry and Nature," an event featuring readings by Native American poet Joy Harjo, author of the collections The Woman Who Fell from the Sky and How We Became Human: New and Selected Poems 1975-2001, while kids can take part in a supervised nature walk and get a lesson in haiku. A reception and book sale follow. Tickets are $10 for individuals, $5 for additional family members. It all takes place at the Howard County Conservancy, 10520 Old Frederick Rd., Woodstock, Md. Call 410-772-4568, e-mail information@hocopolitso.org or visit http://www.hocopolitso.org for more details and to purchase tickets.

5 P.M. James Traub discusses and signs The Freedom Agenda: Why America Must Spread Democracy (Just Not the Way George Bush Did) at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

SPECIAL NOTICES

The 13th annual F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. at Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville, Md. The event boasts numerous workshops (on the novel, memoir, short stories to name a few), the chance to meet one-on-one with a literary consultant or journal editor (on a first-come basis, so register early) and readings and discussions with distinguished authors, including Susan Cheever and mystery veterans Laura Lippman and George Pelecanos, both of whom will chat about their work in a conversation moderated by Book World columnist Michael Dirda. And Elmore Leonard, author of bestselling mysteries and short stories such as Mr. Majestyk, Get Shorty and Tishomingo Blues, will receive the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Award, following in the footsteps of such noted writers as John Updike, Joyce Carol Oates and William J. Kennedy. For complete details and to register, call 301-309-9461 or visit http://www.peerlessrockville.org.

Washington Writers' Publishing House (WWPH), a collective literary press created in 1973, announces an open call for its annual fiction and poetry prize contests from residents living within 60 driving miles of the Capitol (Baltimore region included). Book-length manuscripts (there is a fee of $20 for poetry, $25 for fiction) should be submitted by Nov. 1. For complete guidelines, visit http://www.washingtonwriters.org.

Capital BookFest, now in its fourth year, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Blvd @ Cap Centre, 913-A Capital Centre Blvd. in Largo, Md. Among the throng of authors scheduled to attend are poet and children's author Nikki Giovanni, novelist Tananarive Due, ex-"Celebrity Apprentice" contestant Omarosa, baker and entrepreneur Warren Brown and Douglas A. Blackmon, Atlanta bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal and the author of the new book Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II. Call 703-371-4325 or visit http://www.capitalbookfest.org.