WORDS AND IMAGES : Seminar to Explore Kids’ Book Publishing : Professional writers, illustrators and editors will share information at the one-day conference.

If you’re haunted by rejection and in the dark about editors, agents and publishers, get your literary spirits lifted by attending the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Ventura/Santa Barbara chapter’s Halloween Harvest of Ideas Conference at Cal Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks.

This is an opportunity for anyone interested in writing and/or illustrating children’s books to listen to and meet professional writers, illustrators, editors and publishers.

Jody Fickes of the award winning Adventures for Kids Bookstore is a panelist and will also offer an on-site book sale.

To register for the one-day conference, which begins at 9 a.m. Oct. 30, call CLU continuing education at 493-3130. The fee for non-society members is $37.50, which includes all materials and lunch.

Anyone registered for the conference is encouraged to submit poetry, blank verse, a short story, a riddle, an illustration, any kind of Halloween madness to the “Very Scary” contest. Deadline is Oct. 15. Call Mary Rose Betten, SCBW&I; regional adviser at 482-9417 for details.

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The Conejo Valley Genealogical Society will hold a giant garage sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 1116 Rexford Place, Thousand Oaks. All proceeds will go to the genealogy research collection at the Newbury Park branch library. Contributions are tax deductible. Call 495-3076.

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The 25th annual San Buenaventura Friends of the Library used book sale will be held at the Buenaventura Mall (Mills Road & Main Street), Ventura, from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. A rare book auction is scheduled for noon Saturday. Proceeds will benefit all Ventura County libraries. Call 644-6441.

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Edward Marston will sign “The Wolves of Savernake” at 1 p.m. Saturday in Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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The Ojai Film Society will screen the hilarious social satire, “Three Men and a Cradle,” 1985 winner of three French Oscars including best picture and screenplay, at 4:30 p.m. in the Ojai Playhouse, 145 E. Ojai Ave.

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Two words that inevitably get the adrenalin flowing among writers are “literary agent.” What do they really seek? Find out at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday when the Ventura County Writers Club will hear Charlotte Gusay, former bookseller turned agent, describe the business side of the writers’ trade. Gusay is looking for “quirky, offbeat, serious and comic fiction and strong nonfiction concepts.” She also seeks children’s books and film projects. The meeting will be at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 1101 Ponderosa Drive, Camarillo. Non-member fee is $5. Call 495-8730.

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Volunteers are still needed to convert the book collection to a new security system at the Camarillo Library. Call Lori at 482-1952.