The Literary Toiler’s Sought-After Option : New Oxnard resident Sherry Gottlieb’s novel is in development as a cable television movie.

What are the six wondrous events that can--and should--happen to a literary toiler? Get an agent. Get published. Earn big money. Be loved by critics. Win prestigious awards. And the final fantasy . . . Have your book made into a movie. Sherry Gottlieb, a new Oxnard resident, has worked her way down the list with her novel “Love Bite,” which she describes as an erotic police procedural with fangs. Published in 1994 by Warner Books, the novel has been optioned by Alexander/Enright producers and is in development as a movie for Lifetime Cable Television. Susan Dey is cast in the lead role.

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Don Winslow will sign “A Long Walk Up the Water Slide,” his fourth action-adventure featuring Neal Carey, at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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The merry season is over and now it’s time to check the books and tote up the profits and losses. To this end, an H & R Block Inc. representative will conduct a free tax seminar based on the company’s new “1995 Income Tax Guide” at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ventura Bookstore, 522 E. Main St.

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Reminder: The first of three critique workshops for writers of children’s literature is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Simi Valley Library, 2069 Tapo Canyon Road. The second seminar will be held Jan. 15 in Santa Barbara, the third on Feb. 5 at Adventures For Kids in Ventura. The free events are sponsored by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Call 581-1906 for details.

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Jerome “Jerry” Boyle, who served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, will sign his new book, “Apache Sunrise,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura. Boyle, a longtime Ventura resident and former police officer, is a private pilot.

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Is there a working writer who hasn’t been caught up in research rapture and then agonized over the amount of time spent at the task? Anyone who can help you get to the source quickly is a treasure. Donna Couillard will discuss New Sources for Research at Family History Centers at a meeting of the Conejo Valley Genealogical Society at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at 1025 Old Farm Road, Thousand Oaks. A class for beginners is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Call 497-8293 for details.

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Susan and John Daniel of Daniel and Daniel Publishers will discuss the writing, editing and marketing strategies of small-press publishing at a meeting of the Ventura County Writers Club. Under the imprint of John Daniel & Co. and Fithian Press, the Santa Barbara publishers have produced books by a number of distinguished authors, including Carolyn See and Artie Shaw. The event is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Ottavio’s Banquet Hall, 340 Mobile Ave., Camarillo. There is a $5 non-member guest fee. Call 482-5648.