Write in the Name of Love--and for Prizes

It’s billed as Kiss*2000.

A love poetry contest “for lovers and lovers of poetry” will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday at Alta Coffee, 506 31st St., Newport Beach.

The first 15 poets to sign up at 7 p.m. will compete for cash and other prizes. Orange County poetry publishers Bil and Carole Luther will judge the contest, which will feature appropriately romantic mood music by Liquid Muse.

Lee Mallory, contest producer and host, says each poet will receive five minutes to read original poems on the theme of love and romance. But each contestant will declare to the judges the single poem he or she wants to be judged.

There’s a $3 entry fee, but admission is free. (949) 675-0233.

Also Coming Up:

* Barbara Seranella will sign “Unwanted Company” at Latitude 33 Bookshop, 311 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach. 2 p.m. today (949) 494-5403. Seranella also will sign at the Book Connection, 10932 Pine St., Los Alamitos. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. (562) 430-5578. And she will sign at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Ave., Orange. 1 p.m. Saturday. (714) 538-3210.

* James Hall will sign “Rough Draft” at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Ave., Orange. Noon today. (714) 538-3210.

* Dale Marcelle will discuss and sign “Fire in the Streets: A History of the Cold Race War in America” at Borders Books and Music in South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Monday. (714) 432-7854.

* Laurie R. King will sign “Night Work” at Coffee, Tea and Mystery, 11931 Valley View St., Garden Grove. Noon Wednesday. (714) 898-2583. King also will sign at Barnes & Noble in the Huntington Beach Mall, 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. 7 p.m. Wednesday. (714) 897-8781.

* Patricia Wiklund will discuss “Taking Charge When You’re Not in Control” at the Inside Edge breakfast meeting in the University Club at UC Irvine, Los Trancos and East Peltason drives, Irvine. 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. $20 for first-time guests, $35 for repeat guests. Reservations: (949) 460-4242.

* Dr. Edward Taub will discuss and sign “Balance Your Body, Balance Your Life: Total Health Rejuvenation” at Borders Books and Music, 1890 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Wednesday. (949) 631-8661.

* Tina Tessina will discuss and sign “The Unofficial Guide to Dating Again” at Barnes & Noble in Huntington Beach Mall, 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. 7 p.m. Thursday. (714) 897-8781.

* Barbara DeMarco Barrett will interview literary agent Jeff Herman, author of “The Writer’s Guide to Book Editors, Publishers and Literary Agents” on “Writers on Writing” on KUCI-FM (88.9) in Irvine. 4 p.m. Thursday.

* Barbara Seranella (“Unwanted Company”) and Jan Burke (“Bones”) will discuss the writing life and sign their books at Borders Books and Music, 1890 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. (949) 631-8661.

* Mark Alch will sign “How to Become a Millionaire” at Borders Books and Music, 429 Associated Road, Brea. 7 p.m. Friday. (714) 672-0120.

* Violet P. Woodhouse will discuss “Divorce & Money: How to Make the Best Financial Decisions During Divorce” at Barnes & Noble, 13712 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 7 p.m. Friday. (714) 508-9707.

* John Crean and Barbara Venezia will sign “At Home on the Range: The Cookbook for the Deranged” at Barnes & Noble in Fashion Island, 953 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 7 p.m. Friday. (949) 759-0982.

* Arian Sarris will sign “21 Ways to Attract Your Soulmate” at Bookstar, 975 E. Birch St., Brea. 7 p.m. Friday. (714) 256-4995).

* April Henry will discuss and sign “Square in the Face” at Coffee, Tea & Mystery, 11931 Springdale St., Garden Grove. 4 p.m. Saturday. (714) 898-2583.

* Robert Woodcox will discuss and sign “The Golf Gods Are Laughing” at Borders Books and Music in South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Saturday. (714) 432-7854.

* Orange County writers will read and discuss their work at a Writers’ Potpourri sponsored by the Orange County chapter of the California Writers Club at Downey Savings and Loan, 201 W. Bastanchury, Fullerton. 10 a.m. Saturday. Free. (714) 525-2988.

* Matt Witten will sign “Grand Delusion” at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Ave., Orange. 1 p.m. Saturday. (714) 538-3210.

* The Rev. Donald Pederson will sign “Mental Laxatives for a Constipated Mind” at Barnes & noble in Fashion Island, 953 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 7 p.m. Saturday. (949) 759-0982.

* Patricia Guiver will discuss and sign “Delilah Doolittle and the Missing Macaw” at Borders Books and Music, 1890 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. 3 p.m. Saturday. (949) 631-8661.

* Joey O’Connor will sign “I Know You Love Me but Do You Like Me?” at Barnes & Noble in Fashion Island, 953 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 2 p.m. Saturday (949) 759-0982.

Send information about book-related events at least 10 days before event to: Dennis McLellan, O.C. Books & Authors, Southern California Living, The Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Or e-mail to dennis.mclellan@latimes.com.