Tips for Competing in Marketplace

Writers are not an endangered species, and thus are in a continuing competitive struggle. The winners see their work flourish and make it into the marketplace.

The Ventura County Writers Club has invited story analyst Genie Kahn to talk about how writers can get their work noticed, read and recommended to buying editors and producers.

Kahn, a Santa Barbara resident, has been critiquing scripts for 20 years for major television and film studios. She works with screenwriters and novelists.

The event takes place at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday in the Orchid Building, 816 Camarillo Springs Road, Camarillo. The fee for nonmembers is $5. Call 482-5648 for details.

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“The Godwulf Manuscript,” published in 1973, was Robert B. Parker’s first novel featuring Boston private eye Spenser. The acclaimed author will make his first appearance at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, at noon Friday to sign “Chance,” his 25th Spenser book.

Karen Kijewski, who joined a country singer’s road tour to gather background for her latest book, will sign “Honky Tonk Kat” at noon on Monday at the bookstore.

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Events at Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura: True Heitz will tell stories at 7 p.m. Friday. Gary McCarthy will sign “Grand Canyon” at 1 p.m. Saturday. R.G. Cantalupo will read poetry at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Business Reading Group will review Napolean Hill’s “A Year of Growing Rich” at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

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The Conejo Valley Genealogical Society is hosting a garage sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 1116 Rexford Place, Thousand Oaks. Proceeds will be used to purchase books and library equipment. Call 495-3076.

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Having trouble finding time to write? Discover the lost hours in a compact seminar scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Learning Tree University, Thousand Oaks campus. Register at 497-2292.

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Storytelling by Jim Woodard is a featured event at the Rawhide Western Roundup hosted by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, near Simi Valley. Woodard will share legendary western tales, including the adventures of Ventura County’s headless horseman, beginning at noon Saturday in the library’s Wasserman Theatre. Call 658-6697.

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Art instructor Mona Brooks will discuss and sign her book “Drawing with Children” at 3 p.m. Saturday at Borders Books & Music, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

A major poetry event co-sponsored by the American Assn. of University Women is scheduled at 8 p.m. Sunday in the bookstore. Jack Grapes will be joined by Jane Chapman, Michael Collings, Ron Reichick, Carol Bridge Walker and ellen in a marathon poetry reading.

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Toni Perrone, who has helped people find their families in this country and Europe, will discuss “Researching German and Italian Ancestors Using the Immigrant Genealogical Society Library” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Conejo Valley Genealogical Society, 1025 Old Farm Road, Thousand Oaks. The beginners class on using land records for research will start at 6 p.m. Call 497-8293 for details.

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IN SANTA BARBARA: Local author Richard Barre, whose debut adventure thriller “The Innocents” was published last year, will sign his new novel, “Bearing Secrets,” at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Earthling Bookshop, 1137 State St.

Frances Halpern is co-host with Jon O’Brien of “Beyond Words” at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU 88.3 FM, Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.