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The New Short Fiction Series, billed as “L.A.’s only live literary magazine,” presents “Last Year’s Jesus” by Ellen Slezak, Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Lankershim Arts Center, 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Slezak’s short fiction has been published in more than a dozen literary journals, including Green Mountains Review, Santa Monica Review, American Literary Review and Whetstone. Featured Tuesday will be spoken-word artist Sally Shore and guest performers Elena Fasan, Jessica Hopper and Jan James. $10. (323) 662-7900.

Singer-songwriters Cindy Alter, Lauren Adams and Sue Willett will perform tonight at 8 at Exile Books & Music, 14925 Magnolia Blvd., Sherman Oaks. A portion of the show’s proceeds will go toward CALPIRG, an organization dedicated to saving the Clean Air Act. $5 cover. The film “One False Move” will screen Saturday at 3 p.m., followed by a panel discussion. No cover. Singer-songwriters Earl Grey and Lisa Johnson will perform Tuesday at 8 p.m. $3 cover. The Wednesday Open Mike is for performers with original material only. Songwriters may perform three songs, and spoken-word artists get 10 minutes onstage. Sign-ups at 7:30 p.m. No cover. Songwriters in Exile, an informal song circle hosted by Matthew Lee, is scheduled Thursday at 8 p.m. No cover. (818) 986-6409.

Author Suzanne P. Thomas will discuss her book, “Rental Houses for the Successful Small Investor,” Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 731 N. San Fernando Road, Burbank. Story analyst Berkeley Hunt will visit the Screenwriters Group on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. (818) 558-1383.

Author Robert Masello will sign and discuss his book, “A Friend in the Business: Honest Advice for Anyone Trying to Break into Television Writing,” Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 16461 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 380-1636.