Screenplay Wizard to Address Writers Assn.

Screenwriting guru Robert McKee, author of the critically acclaimed book “Story: Substance, Structure, Style, & the Principles of Screenwriting,” will speak at the National Writers Assn. luncheon meeting Saturday.

The meeting, which begins at 10 a.m., will be held in the Claim Jumper Restaurant, 18050 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley. Cost: $18 for prepaid members; $20 at the door for members; guests are $18.

For reservation information call (562) 431-7795.

Also Coming Up:

* Dean Koontz will sign his new suspense thriller, “False Memory,” at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Ave., Orange. Noon today. (714) 538-3210.

* Kent Braithwaite will sign “The Wonderland Murders” at Borders Books and Music in the Block at Orange, 20 City Drive West. 3 p.m. today. (714) 385-1025.

* Poet Kurt Last will read at the Gypsy Den Cafe and Reading Room in the Lab mall, 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 8 p.m. Tuesday (714) 549-7012.

* Jennifer Kiger, South Coast Repertory dramaturge, will discuss playwright Howard Korder’s “The Hollow Lands” at Borders Books and Music in South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Tuesday. “The Hollow Lands,” an epic tale of a 19th century immigrant on a tortuous journey across America, opens at SCR Feb. 13. (714) 432-7864.

* Barbara DeMarco Barrett will interview Ken Kalfus, author of “PU-239 and Other Russian Fantasies,” on KUCI (88.9 FM) in Irvine. 4 p.m. Thursday.

* Laurie Z will discuss and sign “Laurie Z’s Do-It-Yourself Guide to Releasing an Independent CD” at Borders Books and Music in South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Thursday. (714) 432-7854.

* J.A. Jance will discuss and sign “Kiss of the Bees” at Coffee, Tea and Mystery, 11931 Valley View St., Garden Grove. Noon Thursday. (714) 898-2583. Jance also will sign at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Ave., Orange. 6 p.m. Thursday. (714) 538-3210.

* Kathryn Lynn Davis will discuss and sign “Somewhere Lies the Moon” at Barnes & Noble in the Huntington Beach Mall, 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. 7 p.m. Thursday (714) 897-8781.

* Art Martin will discuss “2001: The New Millennium Begins” at Barnes & Noble, 13712 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 7 p.m. Friday. (714) 508-9797.

* Robert Roden will read at the Laguna Poets gathering at Wells Fargo Bank, 260 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach. 8 p.m. Friday. (949) 494-6649.

* Wally George will discuss and sign “Wally George: The Father of Combat TV” at Barnes & Nobles, 13712 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 2 p.m. Saturday. (714) 508-9797.

* Gar Anthony Haywood will sign “All the Lucky Ones Are Dead” at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Ave., Orange. 1 p.m. Saturday. (714) 538-3210.

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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.