WORDS AND IMAGES : Authors: Listen Up : When seeking publicity, writers should check out the local radio talk shows --a great forum for airing ideas.

In a presidential election year with more twists and turns than our roads through the hills, politicians are discovering what authors have known for years--television and radio talk shows sell ideas and products.

Ventura County’s major news-talk radio station KVEN (1450-AM), which has been on the air 45 years, broadcasts local and syndicated programs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Frank Haines, who does a live show weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., has been with the station 40 years.

Haines takes calls from listeners, comments on current issues and events, and interviews local activists, elected officials and authors from everywhere. No subject goes unexplored. The lineup of guests on Haines’ show this past week included Richard Ben Kramer, author of the fascinating “What it Takes: The Way to the White House,” and former Ojai resident David Derbin, whose first novel, “Nice Guys Finish Dead,” has just been published. Tomorrow Haines and his audience will learn about “The Best Places to Kiss in Southern California” (a romantic travel guide).

Writers should be aware of the local talk station. And they should monitor their favorite music stations, which also have some interview segments.

Published authors desperately seeking publicity should try to book themselves onto these shows; Haines talks with four to six guests a day. Naturally, he seeks interesting, entertaining, articulate guests. KVEN also broadcasts early morning news and talk segments Monday through Saturday hosted by Bob Adams and David Low. Listen to what they do. Perhaps you’ve written or done something that might get you on the air.

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Award-winning Los Angeles Times columnist Al Martinez, who joined the paper as a reporter in 1972, will be at Book Mall of Ventura, 424 E. Main St., Saturday at 1 p.m to sign “Dancing Under the Moon,” a collection of his columns, published by St. Martins Press.

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The City of Ventura Department of Parks and Recreation will host two silent movie nights in the Olivas Adobe Historical Park’s courtyard on Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. The classic silent western “Tumbleweeds” and “Son of the Sheik” starring Rudolph Valentino will be screened along with short features and Charlie Chaplin comedies. The Olivas Adobe is at 4200 Olivas Park Drive. Call 644-4346 for information.

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Jerry Dunn of Ojai, a contributing editor to National Geographic Traveler and guidebook author, will conduct a one-day travel-writing seminar Sept. 5 at UCSB Ventura Center, 3585 Maple St. Enrollment deadline is Aug. 31. The fee is $85. Call 644-7261.