Literary happenings this week that aren’t the Festival of Books

Around the L.A. Times we are spending most of the week thinking about the book prizes Friday night and the Festival of Books on Saturday and Sunday, but those aren’t the only interesting literary happenings. In fact, Wednesday and Thursday are packed with people and things you can’t see at the festival -- here’s a quick overview.

WEDNESDAY:

Lorrie Moore interviewed by Brighde Mullins about short story collection “Bark” at ALOUD at the L.A. Central Library, 7:15 p.m.; free; sold out but standby tickets may be available.

Vanessa Place and Andrea Fraser with the exhibition “AV” at the MAK Center. It’s the opening of “AV,” a show by poet Place and artist Fraser at the MAK Center in West Hollywood. Opening reception 7 to 9 p.m.; free.

Biz Stone with Larry Vincent at LiveTalksLA. Twitter co-founder Stone talks about his book “Things A Little Bird Told Me: Confessions of a Creative Mind” with Larry Vincent, executive director of UTA Brand Studio. At United Talent Agency in Beverly Hills. The event begins at 8 p.m., with a reception before for some ticket-holders. Tickets are $20-$95.

“Baby Boomer Alert: We’re Not Dead Yet But We May Die Someday.” Sara Davidson (“The December Project” with Rabbi Laura Geller and Susan Freudenheim of the Jewish Journal, discussing issues of dying, practical and spiritual. At Writers Bloc at the Temple Emanuel in Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m., tickets $15.

THURSDAY:

Aaron Dixon signs and discusses “My People Are Rising: Memoir of a Black Panther Party Captain” at Eso Won Books in Liemert Park. Free. 7 p.m.

Lorrie Moore reads from and signs her short story collection “Bark” at Skylight Books in Los Feliz, 7:30 p.m. Free. To reserve a spot in the signing line, purchase the book in advance from Skylight.

Michael Lewis and Malcolm Gladwell at LiveTalksLA. Lewis, whose new book is “Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt,” in coversation with Gladwell at LiveTalksLA at the Alex Theater in Glendale. The event begins at 8 p.m., with a reception before for some ticket-holders. Tickets are $22-$115.

Nerdy, Wordy and Dirty: readings by Gina Frangello, Dana Johnson, Jerry Stahl, and xTx, with music and comedy too, presented by The Rumpus, The Nervous Breakdown, and Hot Dish reading series. At the Bootleg Theater, begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $7.

ALSO:

T.C. Boyle moves to Ecco after three decades with Viking

David Mitchell’s ‘The Bone Clocks’ pubs Sept. 9; plus 3-book deal

Ann Brashares talks dystopia and her new YA novel ‘The Here and Now’

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