O.C. Books & Authors

* Carroll Lachnit, author of “Akin to Death,” will speak and sign at 1 p.m. today at Coffee, Tea & Mystery, 13232 Springdale St., Westminster.

* Ridley Pearson, author of “The Pied Piper,” will sign at noon today at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Ave., Orange.

* Surfing legend Fred Hemmings, author of “Soul of Surfing Is Hawaiian,” will sign at 7 p.m. Monday at Barnes & Noble in Fashion Island, 953 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

* An open poetry reading, beginning at 8 p.m., will precede a 9 p.m. performance by Lure--an Orange County band that plays a hybrid of blues, folk and rock--Wednesday at Ugly Mug Cafe, 261 N. Glassell St., Orange. Another open poetry reading will follow the performance.

* Stephanie Avnet will speak and sign copies of “Frommer’s Wonderful Weekends From Los Angeles” at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Barnes & Noble in Metro Pointe, 901 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa.

* Jeffrey Deaver, author of “Coffin Dancer,” will sign at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Ave., Orange.

* Tracy McBride, author of “Frugal Luxuries: Simple Pleasures to Enhance Your Life and Comfort Your Soul,” will sign at 7 p.m. Thursday at Barnes & Noble in Triangle Square, 1870 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa.

* Jacobo Sefami, a professor of Spanish at UC Irvine, will read a selection from his novel-in-progress about Syrian Jews in Mexico at the PEN Orange County meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Diedrich Coffee, 13681 Newport Ave., Tustin. An open reading will follow.

* Artist and author Gladys de Barcza will sign copies of her “Huntington Beach Educational Coloring Book” at 5 p.m. Friday at the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, 811 Olive St.

* Dr. Earl Simmons, author of “Chronicles of Light,” will discuss the relationship between spiritual healing and surgery at 7 p.m. Saturday at Borders Books and Music, 429 Associated Road, Brea.

* Dennis Lehane, author of “Gone Baby Gone,” and George Pelecanos, author of “The Sweet Forever,” will sign at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Ave., Orange.

* Cartoonist Mark O’Hare will sign and discuss his “Citizen Dog” comic strip collection at 2 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble, 13712 Jamboree Road, Irvine.

* Martin Dugard, author of “Surviving the Toughest Race on Earth,” will sign at 2 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble in Fashion Island, 953 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.