Big Name, Small House

Authors, when they have a choice, think long and hard about whether to sign with a small or new publisher instead of going with an established New York house. The initial advance might be larger with a major publisher, but the smaller house could be more attentive and supportive over the long haul. It’s a gamble, whichever decision is made.

A new player on the scene, Los Angeles-based Renaissance Books, has managed to pull off a publishing coup, according to one of its editors, Richard O’Connor of Santa Barbara. The company will publish as its lead title, “Powerful Prayers,” by radio-television personality Larry King. The book, which will be released later this year, features responses from entertainers, sports figures and politicians, including President Clinton, to the question “Do you believe in prayer?”

*

Gold Coast Fiction Writers will hear a talk on “Jump-Starting Creativity” at 6:30 tonight at Carrows Restaurant, 2401 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. Call 985-2959.

*

Sharon Creech, who won the Newbery Medal for “Walk Two Moons,” will sign her new novel, “Chasing Redbird,” at 10 a.m. Friday at Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura.

*

The poetry of Henrik Ibsen and music of Edvard Grieg and Frederick Delius will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Samuelson Chapel at Cal Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. The event is part of the school’s Scandinavian Festival. Call 493-3151.

*

Share food and festivities beginning at noon Saturday at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, where authors Earlene Fowler (“Goose in the Pond”), Susan Dunlap (“Cop Out”), John Sandford (“Night Crew”) and Thomas Zigal (“Hardrock Stiff”) will be signing their books.

*

The graphics and printing end of publishing will be described at the Conejo Valley Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, at 29376 Mulholland Highway, Agoura Hills. Call 388-7297.

*

In Santa Barbara

Events at Earthling Bookshop, 1137 State St.: Jean Brody will discuss her novel “Cleo” at 7 tonight. Daniel Duane will sign his surfing memoir, “Caught Inside,” at 3 p.m. Sunday. And Writers Unlimited organizer Walt Hopmans, who has published a collection of drawings and verse, “Lampooning Poets,” will present nine local published poets at a marathon reading starting at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

If you are at wits’ end about how to finish any work-in-progress, Barbara Sachs, author of “The Rainbow Box” and “The Artists’ and Writers’ Cookbook,” will lead a seminar from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday on “How to End Your Work.” The event is in Room 21 of Schott Center, 310 W. Padre St. Call 687-0812.

Novelist Duane Unkefer, author of “Basic Fiction,” will teach an advanced 10-week workshop for writers laboring over their novels. In addition to guest speakers, the workshops will include manuscript critiques and information on agents. The class begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Call 967-1150 for details.

Ventura poets Jackie Bach (“Through the Bach Door”) and Roni (“Sensuous Cinema of My Mind”) will read from their books and share information on publishing poetry at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Borders, 900 State St.

* Frances Halpern and Jon O’Brien are co-hosts of “Beyond Words” at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU-FM (88.3), Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.