Visits by Acclaimed Authors Show County’s Literary Power : From mystery mavens to film buffs, there’s a lot going on at area bookstores.

When 250 people show up to honor, talk to and get books autographed by “beat generation” poet Allan Ginsberg, as they did last week at the Ventura Bookstore, we should congratulate local booksellers like Ed Elrod who are providing us the opportunity to meet major literary icons.

The book beat continues. Local authors who are known nationally, such as Ventura’s Kathryn Phillips, whose book “Tracking the Vanishing Frogs” has just been published by St. Martin’s Press, and touring authors, such as Michael Medved (“Hollywood Vs. America”), who consider Ventura County to be good book country, are coming our way this week. Pencil them in.

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SATURDAY: At 11 a.m., Nancy Loman, a reading specialist who teaches child development at Ventura College, will discuss reading as a shared experience and help parents choose entertaining and enlightening books for children at Ventura Bookstore, 522 E. Main St.

At 1 p.m., Los Angeles Police Detective Paul Bishop will sign his new novel, “Kill Me Again,” at Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura. Also at 1 p.m., Michael Connelly, author of “The Concrete Blonde,” will be at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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SUNDAY: At 12:30 p.m., Medved, New York Post film critic, author and co-host of PBS’ “Sneak Previews,” will discuss his book “Hollywood Vs. America” at Barnes & Noble.

At 1 p.m., David Kaufelt will sign “The Winter Women Murders” at Mysteries to Die For.

From 2 to 5 p.m., David Alexander, author of the only authorized biography of the late Gene Roddenberry, creator of “Star Trek,” will be at Phantom Bookshop, 451 E. Main St., Ventura.

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TUESDAY: At 7:30 p.m., Wendy Elliott will discuss the sources for finding a wife’s name at the Conejo Valley Genealogical Society meeting at Conejo Valley Adult School, 1025 Old Farm Road, Thousand Oaks. A beginner’s class on vital records will start at 6:30 p.m. Call 497-8293.

Also at 7:30 p.m., Elliott McClure, wildlife biologist and author of “Whistling Wings” and “The Dove Chronicles,” will describe how to “Turn Your Expertise Into Salable Books” to members and guests of the Ventura County Writers Club, Ottavio’s Banquet Hall, 340 Mobil Ave., Camarillo. Non-member fee is $5. Call 482-5648.

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WEDNESDAY: At 7 p.m., Phillips, whose “Tracking the Vanishing Frogs” is a Nature Book Club selection, will be at Barnes & Noble to discuss why scientists are concerned about potential ecological havoc due to the disappearance of certain frog species.