SPECIAL EVENTS

Holiday Book Drive, bring new children's books to Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center, through today for distribution to children's literacy program, Read to Me International. 949-7307.

Aloha Shorts, weekly radio show with readings of short stories from local authors, 5 p.m. Mondays, on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 with host Cedric Yamanaka. www.hawaiipublicradio.org/alohashorts.htm.

Talk Story Radio, weekly radio show with local storytellers, 5:30 p.m. Mondays, on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 with host Jeff Gere. This week, stories about creation: "How Music Came into the World," told by Joseph "Pepe" Danza; "Who Am I?" by Selah Geisler; "The Rainbow Mudbabies" from Ethnohtec; "Child's Creation Poem," told by Floating Eagle Feather; and "Clouds in the Sky" from Johnny Moses. www.talkstoryradio.com.

Poetry Slam Workshop for Teens, ongoing Youth Speaks Hawai'i workshops in written and spoken word for students ages 13-19, working with members of the HawaiiSlam team, 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, The ARTS at Marks Garage; free. 387-9664.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Rich Budnick signs his book "Hawai'i's Forgotten History 1900-1999," 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Bestsellers, Bishop Square. 528-2378.

Julie Wanner Rossetti signs "Diabetes Can Be Sweet ... Once You Bury It," 2 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Wendy Miyake signs "Beads, Boys and the Buddha," 4 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

FOR WRITERS

Honolulu Chapter of The National Writers Association meets for a manuscript critique, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Kapuna I, 1015 N. School St. 845-9585.

28th annual International Haiku Contest, entries accepted in three categories: Season Word, Hawai'i Word and Humorous, sponsored by Hawaii Education Association; $1 per entry for non-HEA members. For rules and entry requirements, send a SASE to HEA International Haiku Contest, 1649 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96826. Cash prizes in each category. Deadline is Jan. 15.

The Hawai'i Literary Arts Council is accepting nominations for the 2005 Cades Awards for Literature, for cash prizes in two categories: 1) an established author with a large body of work relating to Hawai'i 2) a new artist with substantial potential for achievement. Nominees can be poets, playwrights, novelists, essayists or other literary artists. Send nomination with supporting materials to Hawai'i Literary Arts Council, P.O. Box 11213, Honolulu, HI 96828. Deadline for nominations is Feb. 15.

VSA arts seeks submissions of original one-act plays from students in grades 6-12 for the 22nd annual Playwright Discovery Award. Two winning scripts, which express how disability affects a person's life, will be selected for performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and the authors will receive up to $1,500 and a trip to Washington, D.C., to see their play performed. Guidelines and application: www.vsarts.org, (800) 933-8721. Submission deadline is April 14.

FOR KEIKI

Toddler Storytime, for ages 2-3, 10 a.m. Mondays, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Tiny Tales for Tiny Tots, stories, fingerplays, songs and a craft to take home, for keiki 4 and younger, 9-9:45 a.m. and 10:30-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Kalihi-Palama Public Library. 832-3466.

Keiki Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Preschool Craft & Storytime, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

Preschool Storytime, for ages 3-4 years, 10 a.m. Thursdays, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Saturday Storytimes, 10 a.m. Saturdays, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Keiki Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to Lit Beat, Island Life, The Hono-lulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Lit Beat" in the subject line; or fax 525-8055.