Romance Writers: The monthly meeting of the...

Romance Writers: The monthly meeting of the Orange County chapter of Romance Writers of America will be held today at the Sizzler restaurant, 1401 N. Harbor Blvd. in Fullerton. A pre-meeting workshop on plotting begins at 10:15 a.m. Following lunch, the general meeting at 1 p.m. will include a discussion of current market information on romance lines gleaned from the national RWA convention in Seattle last month. The fee for the pre-meeting workshop is $3; non-members also must pay $3 for the general meeting. Further information is available from Marlys Stapelbroek, (714) 541-0939. The 247-member group is the largest chapter of the national organization. Most members are aspiring or published writers, but Stapelbroek says anyone interested in the field is welcome to attend.

Readers Theatre: Upchurch-Brown Booksellers in Laguna Beach will hold two segments of its popular “Readers Theatre: Hot off the Shelves” series this weekend at the bookstore, 384 Forest Ave. The theme for both programs is “As I Grow Up.”

Tonight at 8, members of the community will read from the works of Lewis Carroll, Ogden Nash, Donald Barthelme and Sam Shepard, and from series director Steve Mellow’s poetry book, “Jazz Quartet.”

At 10 a.m. on Sunday, Mellow will present the first Readers Theatre for children. Children from the community will read selections from Shel Silverstein, Sesyle Joslin, Isaac Bashevis Singer and others.

Co-owner Mary Upchurch says space is limited. To reserve a seat, call the bookstore at (714) 497-8373.

Book Signing: Author Jackie Michelson will sign her book, “Divorce Survival,” today from 2 to 5 p.m. at Trails West by the Sea art gallery in the Surf and Sand Hotel, 1555 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. The Paradise Valley, Ariz., author also will sign her book at 3 p.m. Sunday at Upchurch-Brown Booksellers. The book offers ways to cope with the psychological and physical shocks that accompany divorce.

County History: “Orange County: An Economic Celebration,” (Windsor Press; $34.95) by Janet E. Graebner of Santa Ana is now available in bookstores. Graebner is a business writer and researcher whose book promises to “unlock the secrets of Orange County’s dynamic and unprecedented growth.” The illustrated 179-page book was launched last week with a party held jointly by Windsor Press and the Orange County Chamber of Commerce at the Center Club in Costa Mesa.