Encyclopedia Brings Out Best of Hollywood

Let’s face it: Hollywood intrigues, it feeds our fantasies.

The Oscars (ecstatic winners/annoyed losers) have been awarded, the glittery costumes are tucked away, the fabulous rented jewels returned. And the adoring fans have vacated the viewing stands.

The movies, past and present are part of the social fabric of our lives. And now you can have a wonderful time browsing the 1,506 pages of the revised edition of “The Film Encyclopedia,” co-edited by Fred Klein, a local resident and Ronald Dean Nolen.

Fred Klein will discuss and sign the book at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Earthling Bookshop, 1137 State St., Santa Barbara.

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Best bets this week at Borders Books, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks: Kathleen Duey’s historical novels, “American Diaries” and the “Survival” series written with Karen A. Bale, include tales of adventure and courage aimed at young readers. Duey will sign at 4 p.m. today.

Luck and timing--the recipe for success. Darryl Nyznyk has penned “The Third Term,” a thriller about dark secrets encircling a popular American president and an investigative reporter who knows too much. He will discuss his novel at 2 p.m. Saturday.

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Ojai author Winnie Hirsch tells a disturbing story about a tragic medical error and will sign her book “In Search of My Husband’s Mind” at 7 p.m. Friday in the Ventura Bookstore, 522 E. Main St.

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Reminder: The all-day “Query Letter and Book Proposal” seminar conducted by Mary Embree is scheduled at 9 a.m. Saturday at Ventura TowneHouse, 4900 Telegraph Road. The fee is $30. Call 643-2403.

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In an unusual publishing event, the original full-length screenplay of the movie “Cheyenne Warrior” has been published as a book. Author Michael Druxman will discuss and sign “Cheyenne Warrior: The Original Screenplay with Author Commentary” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura.

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Dana Stabenow will sign “Killing Grounds,” her eighth mystery set in Alaska, at noon Tuesday in Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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There are dozens of opportunities to earn a few dollars and accumulate publishing credits by entering writing competitions. For example: The literary journal Verve, edited by Ron Reichick, sponsors annual poetry contests. Winners receive cash awards, honorable mentions and publication. The deadline is April 1. For guidelines, contact Verve at P.O. Box 3205, Simi Valley 93093 or call 522-7575.

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The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is sponsoring a writing contest for students from third through 12th grades to celebrate this year’s “Focus on Birds.” Nonfiction, poetry and fiction categories on the theme, “Soaring Over Santa Barbara,” should be submitted by April 24. Entry forms are available at the museum, 2559 Puesta del Sol Road. For details, call Sue Lafferty at 682-4711, Ext. 313.

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* Frances Halpern and Jon O’Brien are co-hosts of “Beyond Words” at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU-FM (88.3 Ventura and 102.3 Santa Barbara) Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.