Conference Will Offer Advice on Writing for Youth

The Ventura / Santa Barbara region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators is sponsoring a major conference from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Saturday at the Preus-Brandt Forum of Cal Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks.

Panelists include Cricket magazine editor John Allen, who will discuss the market for teenage short fiction and announce the launch of a new literary magazine for young adults. Renee Cho will explain the role of the agent. Jody Fickes of Adventures for Kids Bookstore will focus on what’s hot in children’s books. And authors Sherry Shahan and Ann Paul will share insights on writing picture books and/or nonfiction. Nonmember fee is $60. Call Alexis O’Neill at 581-1906 for registration details.

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Diane Sawyer, co-anchor of ABC’s “Prime Time Live,” will address the Reagan Forum at 6 p.m. Monday to mark the sixth anniversary of the opening of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 40 Presidential Drive, near Simi Valley. Tickets are $35. Call 522-2977.

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Constance Penley, who teaches film and women’s studies at UC Santa Barbara, will discuss her latest book, “NASA/Trek: Popular Science and Sex in America” at 7 p.m. Monday at Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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In Santa Barbara

More than just sympathetic clucks are needed to keep the Earthling Bookshop open. Show your support by attending their Gourmet Dinner/Mystery Theatre event tonight at 6. Guests will solve the mystery, written for the event by Leonard Tourney and Shelly Lowenkopf. Tickets are $60 per couple. Call (805) 965-0926.

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The Book Den, Santa Barbara’s oldest and largest used bookstore, is presenting this year’s Open Air Antiquarian Book Fair at State and Anapamu streets Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event benefits Friends of the Santa Barbara Library and features appearances by noted authors. The Book Den is at 11 E. Anapamu St.

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Millions of Americans discovered Maya Angelou when she read her poetry at President Clinton’s first inauguration. Angelou, author of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St. Her appearance is sponsored by Terrapin Station Bookstore, 536 N. Milpas St. For ticket information call the Arlington at (805) 963-4408 or the bookstore at (805) 963-3020.

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.