Local Authors Add to Summer Reading List

Books written by two well-known Carpinteria residents have just been published in time for summer reading.

Study Barnaby Conrad’s “Learning to Write Fiction From the Masters” and you’ll discover the magic in the pens of past and present storytellers. Then treat yourself and friends to “The Latest Wrinkle and Other Signs of Aging,” a collection of Virginia Cornell’s newspaper columns guaranteed to provide a knowing laugh and a sad sigh or two.

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Fourth of July festivities at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library near Simi Valley include storytelling programs presented by local columnist Jim Woodard. He will share tales about the first American flag and how our national anthem was composed at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m today. The library and museum will be open. Call 522-2977.

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Events at Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura: Patricia Fry will sign “Quest for Truth,” a book that explores past-life regression at 2 p.m. Saturday. Joan Raymund will read poetry at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. “Dare to Win,” by Jack Canfield and Mark Hansen, will be discussed at the monthly business book reading group at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

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Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura, is celebrating the Fourth of July weekend with ice cream and a sing-along beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Leah Komaiko, whose lively storytelling delights youngsters, will sign her latest book, “On Sally Perry’s Farm.”

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Marianne Williamson, prolific author and creator of “A Course in Miracles” will sign her children’s book, “Emma and Mommy Talk to God,” at 3 p.m. Sunday in Heart of Light Bookstore, 451 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai.

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Learning Tree University is offering a variety of classes for writers at its Thousand Oaks and Chatsworth campuses, which begin this week. Classes are available, including master workshops, in screenwriting and the mystery genre, short stories, poetry, nonfiction book proposals, novels, magazine articles and writing for the burgeoning multimedia market. Call 497-2292 in Thousand Oaks or (818) 882-5599 in Chatsworth.

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Donna Cuillard will describe “What’s New and Upcoming in Genealogy” for the Conejo Valley Genealogical Society at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Conejo Valley Adult Education Center, 1025 Old Farm Road, Thousand Oaks. The beginner class meets at 6:30 p.m. to discuss “How to Use Court Records.” The public is invited to all meetings. Call 497-8293.

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Professional story analyst Susie Marx will share insights on why scripts from new writers fail and how screenplays are evaluated at the Ventura County Writers Club meeting. Marx, who lives in Moorpark, has worked for CBS, 20th Century Fox and Paramount Pictures. She specializes in family, character-based comedies. The event begins at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday in the Orchid Professional Building, 816 Camarillo Springs Road, Camarillo. Nonmember fee is $5. Call 482-5648.

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IN SANTA BARBARA: A local career counselor and a journalist have combined their knowledge and produced “Unlimited Options,” a book that describes in detail career strategies to last a lifetime. Lily Maestas and Lorelei Snyder will offer advice on finding jobs in today’s tough market at 3 p.m. Sunday at 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.