CARLA ELLIS. Afro American Book Stop, New Orleans Centre, 1400 Poydras St., 588-1474; www.theafroamericanbookstop.com -- The author signs Swimming With Swans . 2:30 p.m.

JAZZ & POETRY NIGHT. Sweet Lorraine's, 1931 St. Claude Ave., 945-9654 -- Jazz and poetry night every Tuesday. 9:30 p.m.

JOSEPH BOYDEN. Garden District Book Shop, The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 895-2266 -- The author signs Three-Day Road . 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday 11

BEAUCOUP BOOK CLUB. Beaucoup Books, 3951 Magazine St., 895-2663; www.beaucoupbooks.com -- The Beaucoup Book Club discusses The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint . 6 p.m.

BOOK GROUP. Garden District Book Shop, The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 895-2266 -- The Garden District Book Group discusses My Life as a Fake by Peter Carey. New members are welcome. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

DIVAS' BOOK CLUB. North Kenner Library, 630 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, 736-8730 -- The book club discusses Let the Church Say Amen by Reshonda Tate Billingsby. New members welcome. 6:30 p.m.

POETRY FORUM WORKSHOP. 257 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, 835-8472 or 467-9034 -- The New Orleans Poetry Forum hosts a weekly workshop every Wednesday. 8 p.m.

TAO POETRY OPEN MIC. Neutral Ground Coffee House, 5110 Danneel St., 891-3381; www.neutralground.org -- Open-mic poetry reading every Wednesday. 9 p.m.

Thursday 12

17 POETS OPEN MIC. Gold Mine Saloon, 701 Dauphine St., 586-0745; www.goldminesaloon.com -- Weekly series with featured poets Megan Burns and Chris Champagne. Open mic to follow. Poets, storytellers, dancers, musicians, puppeteers and others are invited to share their art. Hosted by Dave Brinks. Free admission. 8 p.m.

CONNIE BRISCO. The Afro-American Book Stop, New Orleans Center, 1400 Poydras St., first level, 588-1474; www.theafroamericanbookstop.com -- The author gives a talk and signs Can't Get Enough . 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

NEW ORLEANS WRITERS' CONFERENCE. Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., 566-5019; www.neworleanswritersconference.com -- Two-day conference featuring visiting authors, agents and editors, creative and business workshops and more. Visit Web site for details and registration. All day Thursday-Friday.

TOM REISS. Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-7323; www.octaviabooks.com -- The author discusses and signs The Orientalist: Solving the Mystery of a Strange and Dangerous Life . 7 p.m.

TRIPP FRIEDLER. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-5135 -- The local businessman and author discusses and signs Free Gulliver . 7 p.m.

Friday 13

POPPY Z. BRITE. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-5135 -- The local author reads from and signs Prime . 7 p.m.

SAINTS & SINNERS LITERARY FESTIVAL. Club 735, The Bourbon Pub, Napoleon's Itch, various venues, 821-2601 ext. 250; www.sasfest.com -- NO/AIDS Task Force hosts the third annual Saints and Sinners Literary Festival spotlighting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community featuring national authors, workshops, panel discussions, readings, book signings and special events. Visit Web site or call for details and registration. Friday-Sunday. (See feature in this issue.)

Saturday 14

CHARLES P. CARRIERE III. Beaucoup Books, 3951 Magazine St., 895-2663 -- The author reads from and signs Dupree's Crude War . Noon.

ELENI GAGE. Garden District Book Shop, The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 895-2266 -- The author discusses and signs North to Ithaka . 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

HERB EDSON. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-5135 -- The author signs Beaver Creek Bottoms . 2 p.m.

LEIF ANDERSON. Maple Street Book Shop, 7523 Maple St., 866-4916 -- The author signs Dancing With My Father . 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

SCI-FI BOOK CLUB. Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-7323; www.octaviabooks.com -- Octavia Books' Sci-Fi Book Club discusses Singularity Sky by Charles Stross. 10:30 a.m.

Sunday 15

MAPLE LEAF READINGS. Maple Leaf Bar, 8316 Oak St., 866-9359 -- Maple Leaf Bar hosts the Everett Maddox Memorial Poetry and Prose Reading Series every Sunday, featuring readings by local writers. 3 p.m.

OPEN-MIC POETRY NIGHT. Ebony Square Meeting and Cultural Center, 4215 Magazine St.; www.wizewordz.com -- Open-mic poetry reading with Wize Wordz every Sunday. Admission $5. 9:30 p.m.

Monday 16