BOOK BRIEFS

FIRST CHAPTER IN COMIC COMPILATION IS READY ONLINE FOR READERS

"Tales from the Boneyard," a group graphic novel, is scheduled to be released one chapter at a time online leading up to a printed publication to be sold at the Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival, set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road.

The first chapter, writer/illustrator Barret Thomson's "Mr. O'Lucky," can be read online at www.talesfromthe boneyard.com. The retelling of the true story of a homeless man who found refuge in a giant leprechaun is to be followed by chapters contributed by comic industry veterans and newcomers, including Jarret Keene, Victor Moya, Deryl Skelton, Warren Wucinich, Thomson and F. Andrew Taylor, all to be wrapped in a cover designed by artist Danny Roberts. Proceeds from sales of the collection, edited and compiled by Pop! Goes the Icon publisher Pj Perez, will benefit the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Foundation's support of the festival.

TORI SPELLING TO SIGN ESSAY COLLECTION

Tori Spelling plans to sign copies of "Uncharted TerriTORI," her new collection of essays about trying to live a normal life in Hollywood, at 7 p.m. Friday at the 6521 Las Vegas Blvd. South Borders in Town Square Las Vegas.

Bookstore welcomes UFC fighter

Light-heavyweight mixed martial artist Forrest Griffin plans to participate in an event for his new book "Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down" at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the 6521 Las Vegas Blvd. South Borders in Town Square Las Vegas.

Griffin rose to fame when he won the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter" in 2005.

NELLIE OLESON TELLS ALL IN MEMOIR SHOW

Alison Arngrim, best known for her snobby, rich frontier girl role on the television series "Little House on the Prairie," performs a one-woman show based on her memoir "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated." The show is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, with a Sunday matinee planned for 3 p.m., at the Onyx Theatre, 953 E. Sahara Ave. Tickets are $25 and can be found at www.onyxtheatre.com or call 732-7225.

VIRTUALLY MEET YOUNG ADULT AUTHOR

Young Adult author Jen Calonita plans to spend the afternoon Skyping with readers to discuss her books "Secrets of My Hollywood Life" and "Reality Check" at 4 p.m. Saturday at the 2190 N. Rainbow Blvd. Borders. For more information about the author, visit www.jencalonitaonline.com. Participants will receive signed bookplates.

Skype with "The Cinderella Society" author Kay Cassidy about her upcoming sequel at the store at 4 p.m. Aug. 21. "A Blue So Dark" author Holly Schindler plans to Skype with readers at the store at 4 p.m. Aug. 28.

Native American Historical Romance Author to speak to group

The Las Vegas Romance Writers (formerly Cactus Rose) are set to hear from guest speaker Karen Kay (aka Gen Bailey) at the group's next general meeting on Aug. 21 in the Wengert Room at NV Energy, 6226 W. Sahara Ave.

Kay, published with Avon, specializes in Native American historical romances. She is expected to discuss the craft of writing, with emphasis on plot and characterization.

FRANK MARINO HOPES TO GRANT WISHES WITH PROCEEDS FROM COOKBOOK

A portion of proceeds from Frank Marino's new cookbook, "Dining with the Diva," go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada.

The collection of more than 120 photos and recipes is available for purchase at the Imperial Palace box office for $20.

BOOKSTORE TO HOST LOCAL AUTHOR NIGHT

The 3860 S. Maryland Parkway Barnes & Noble plans to host a local author night from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 21. More than a dozen local writers have been invited to set up tables in the store and meet with readers.

For more information, call 734-2900.

MEET THE AUTHOR EVENT PLANNED

A book event for the children's picture book "Willie the Charismatic Kangaroo," by Locki LaRoe and Sharon Salazar, is scheduled for 1 p.m. Aug. 21 at the 1445 W. Sunset Road Borders.

AUTHORS TO DISCUSS PROCESS OF TURNING TRUE CRIME INTO BELIEVABLE FICTION

Join Tami Cowden, Mike Dennis, Lauren Duncan, Madeline Gornell and Morgan St. James, members of the Sisters In Crime mystery writing group, as they discuss the many ways of incorporating true crime events into engaging and believable fiction during a free Meet the Authors event scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Books will be available for purchase and signing after the presentation. For more information, call 507-3458.

ROMANCE NOVELIST TO TAKE PART IN CHAT

Contemporary romance novelist Jane Porter is next up for an interview session with local writer Robyn Carr as part of the Henderson Public Library's Carr Chats series. The free public chat is scheduled for noon Aug. 27 at the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway. Porter is the author of "Flirting With Forty," which was made into a Lifetime cable movie starring Heather Locklear in 2008. Her newest novel is "She's Gone Country," due to be released Aug. 23.

AUTHOR ROBERT JACKSON TO DISCUSS AND SIGN BOOK AUG. 27

Author Robert Jackson plans to discuss and sign his book "No More Excuses: Black Men Stand Up!" at 6 p.m. Aug. 27 at the 2190 N. Rainbow Blvd. Borders.

COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF TO FEATURE STEPHEN NASSER

Stephen Nasser was 13 when his family was taken from Hungary to Auschwitz. The only survivor from a family of 21, Nasser shares his memories in "My Brother's Voice: How a Young Hungarian Boy Survived the Holocaust: A True Story."

Nasser's book is being featured as Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's book of the month. From 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 21, he's scheduled to visit the 10834 W. Charleston Blvd. location. From 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 27, he's scheduled to visit the 3645 S. Town Center Drive location. And from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 28, he's scheduled to visit the store in The District at Green Valley Ranch at 2220 Village Walk Drive.

For more information, visit mybrothersvoice.com.

KEVIN JANISON PLANS SIGNING

Local meteorologist Kevin Janison plans to sign copies of his Deputy Dorkface children's book series from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Aug. 28 at the 2190 N. Rainbow Blvd. Borders.

SOAP OPERA STAR TO SIGN BOOKS

Victoria Rowell, better known as Drucilla from "The Young and the Restless," plans to sign her book "Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva" at 4 p.m. Aug. 28 at the 6521 Las Vegas Blvd. South Borders in Town Square Las Vegas.

'DREAMYGIRL'S FIELD OF WISHES' CREATOR TO READ AT LAS VEGAS LIBRARY

Author and illustrator Jorge Betancourt Polanco is set to share his book "Dreamygirl's Field of Wishes" during a free children's book event scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Las Vegas Library, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Immediately following the author's book reading, young participants will have a chance to create their own book with the author.

LEARN ABOUT 'BOO BOO BEAR'S MISSION'

Author Mary Linda Sather plans to share the true story told in "Boo Boo Bear's Mission" at an event at 10 a.m. Sept. 4 at the 2190 N. Rainbow Blvd. Borders.

Sather's granddaughter sent Boo Boo Bear to Iraq with her father as he completed his third tour of duty. The bear's adventures included riding in an Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon. The bear made it home and now travels with Sather as she visits children around the country. At the Borders event, kids will have an opportunity to send bear-shaped letters to a National Guard unit.

JIM LEHRER AND ALEX JONES TO DISCUSS 'THE DEATH OF OLD NEWS'

The Black Mountain Institute schedule is out, and a highlight for the fall season is a panel discussion titled "The Death of Old News," set to feature Jim Lehrer and Alex Jones and be moderated by Brian Greenspun.

The free public presentation is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 22 in the UNLV Student Union Ballroom.

To see additional events that are planned, visit blackmountaininstitute.org.

SHARE POEMS AT 'HUMAN EXPERIENCE'

Polish up a poem or two and try them out live at "Human Experience," a free spoken word event from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays in The Beat coffee shop at 520 Fremont St. inside Emergency Arts.

For more information or to view the events online as they happen, visit lasvegaspoets.org.

UNIVERSITY TO WELCOME VISITING AUTHORS

The UNLV University Forum Lecture Series schedule has been released and includes visits from several authors.

First up is a presentation by "Ocean Avenue" author Malena Morling, scheduled to speak at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16. Her lecture is co-sponsored by the Black Mountain Institute.

Other authors set to visit UNLV include Stanley Finger, who wrote "Doctor Franklin's Medicine" and is set to speak at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11, and Richard Burgin, editor of Boulevard literary magazine, who is set to read from his new novel, "Rivers Last Longer," at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17.

The free public lectures are scheduled to take place at the Barrick Museum Auditorium at 4505 S. Maryland Parkway.

For more information about the University Forum Lecture schedule, visit liberalarts.unlv.edu/calendar.

ZINE LIBRARY OPEN IN EMERGENCY ARTS

Grab a cup of coffee and check out the independently crafted magazines at the Las Vegas Zine Library inside the Beat Cafe in Emergency Arts, 520 Fremont St.

The library is still small, more of a collection on display for reference and on-site reading than a checkout repository. Contributions of zines are appreciated. For more information, visit lvzinelibrary.blogspot.com.

NORTHWEST-AREA BORDERS OFFERS WRITERS GROUP ON TUESDAYS

Borders bookstore hosts a free writers group at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the 2190 N. Rainbow Blvd. location.

FREE READ TO ME PROGRAM OFFERS STORIES ONLINE AND BY PHONE

Celebrity storytellers Oscar Goodman, Rita Rudner, Clint Holmes, Terry Fator, Carrot Top, The Scintas and others have donated their talents to the Clark County Education Association Community Foundation's Read To Me program. Children can view more than 15 videos of celebrities reading books on the website at readtomelv.com. Stories also can be accessed by calling 240-2665.

Both databases are frequently updated with fresh stories. Parents and teachers can download lesson plans for each book on the website.