Multiple Choices

An extraordinary series of literary events occurred last weekend when three major writing conferences and Santa Barbara’s antiquarian book festival attracted scores of book lovers, celebrity authors and publishing professionals from all over the country.

And the beat continues: Take note of this week’s classes, seminars and author signings, including appearances by actor Kirk Douglas and Richard Paul Evans, whose originally self-published novel “The Christmas Box” became a legend in 1993 when it hit the top of the New York Times bestseller lists in hard- and softcover editions.

Evans then wrote “Timepiece,” which continued the story of the family he introduced in “Christmas Box.” The saga concludes in his new book “The Letter,” which he will read from and sign at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Borders Books, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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Borders will also host the nationally known yoga instructor Max Thomas who will present his video “‘E-I-E-I Yoga For Kids” at 11 a.m. Saturday. Local author Catherine Templeton will sign her historical novel, “The Righteous Rebel,” at 2 p.m. Sunday.

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Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, is planning the following: David Burton introduces “Manmade for Murder” at noon today. Los Angeles Police Det. Paul Bishop of Camarillo signs his new thriller, “Tequila Mockingbird,” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, and Earl Emerson presents his latest book, “Deception Pass,” at 4 p.m. Saturday.

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Actor Kirk Douglas will discuss his quest for Jewish identity and his struggle to overcome a stroke when he signs his autobiography “Climbing the Mountain: My Search for Meaning,” from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Saturday at Ventura Bookstore, 522 E. Main St. His next appearance will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Chaucer’s, 3321 State St., Santa Barbara.

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Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., Thousand Oaks, presents an evening of murder, mystery and mayhem with local authors Paul Bishop (“Tequila Mockingbird”), Terrill Lankford (“Angry Moon”) and Gregory Michael MacGregor (“Deadspin”) at 8 p.m. Saturday.

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Linda Jones will focus on English research at the Conejo Valley Genealogical Society meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 Janss Road. The 6 p.m. beginners class will cover adoption and lineage societies. Refreshments and book browsing begin at 7. Call 497-8293.

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James Coffey is a philosopher, traveler and owner of a book brokering firm, whose stories have appeared in literary journals. He will explain “How to Apply the Art of Writing as a Conscious Dream State” at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday at the Ventura County Writers Club, Orchid Professional Building, 816 Camarillo Springs Road, Camarillo. Call 643-6450.

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IN SANTA BARBARA: Local actor, writer, producer Helena Hale has performed all over the world interpreting the lives of artists Georgia O’Keefe, Louise Nevelson and Mary Cassatt and reading from her original piece “A Woman’s Place: Intimate Glimpses of Six Women of 19th Century France.” She will present a lecture performance of “Who Counts? Creativity Beyond Age,” hosted by Small Publishers, Artists & Writers Network (SPAWN) and the Contemporary Arts Forum at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the forum theater, Paseo Nuevo Mall at Chapala and De La Guerra streets. Call 962-4680 for details.

Dallas Glenn is facilitating a writer’s critique group for SPAWN members, beginner or published, who seek to share their work. Nonmembers are welcome to attend one introductory meeting. Call 899-1174.

Tristine Rainer discusses and signs “Your Life as a Story” at 3 p.m. Saturday at Earthling Bookshop, 1137 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.