*FLOR FERNANDEZ BARRIOS

Seattle psychotherapist Fernandez has penned a memoir, Blessed by Thunder, about her Cuban childhood, and it is being praised as honest and beautiful. When Fernandez and her family are punished for their political views and flee for America, she finds comfort in storytelling. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free. See Bio Box.

CARLOS SCHWANTES

Schwantes is a historian who specializes in the Northwest; with his book Long Day's Journey: The Steamboat and Stagecoach Era in the Northern West, he explores the economic history of stagecoach entrepreneurs using more than 200 historical photographs and illustrations. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3300, 7 pm, free.

*JOE JACKSON

Musician Joe Jackson, who turned his back on the world via his punk public persona, turns forward again with a memoir/manifesto titled A Cure for Gravity: A Musical Pilgrimage -- which is being touted as necessary reading for those who follow rock history -- and a jazzy-experimental CD thing titled Symphony No. 1. Elliott Bay Books, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

THISBE NISSEN

A collection of short stories in the Iowa Workshop vein and winner of the John Simmons Short Fiction Award, Nissen's Out of the Girl's Room and into the Night is described by Marilyn Robinson as abounding in "a rich life, holding sad, awkward, edgy contemporaneity in their generous embrace." Elliott Bay Books, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 5 pm, free.

*JUDY DOENGES & CHRIS FORHAN

Judy Doenges' collection of short stories, What She Left Me, portends good things for the form and for Doenges' debuting talent: The characters -- fringe-existent delinquents or Vietnam vets or gays stuck in small towns -- speak in darkly humored voices, telling strong stories. She teams up to read with poet Chris Forhan, out with a collection titled Forgive Us Our Happiness. Elliott Bay Books, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

TAMI OLDHAM-ASHCRAFT

Horrifying true-life makes Tami Oldham-Ashcroft's Red Sky in Mourning a gripping read -- it's the story of her surviving 41 days alone on a wrecked yacht in the Pacific after her fiancé was swept overboard. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3300, 3 pm, free.

MARTHA SILANO

Silano, who teaches at Edmonds Community College, presents her debut book of poetry titled What the Truth Tastes Like, University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 2 pm, free.

POETSWEST READING

Participants in PoetsWest present new material in this reading. The admission price includes a copy of the writers' chapbook. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave, 682-1268, 2-4 pm, $5.

*WOLE SOYINKA

See Books Lead, page 29. Fifth Avenue Theatre, Fifth & Marion, 621-2230, 7:30 pm, $7.50-$18.

*ANN CHARTERS

From a casual attendance of a reading of Howl by Alan Ginsberg in Berkely in 1956, Ann Charters became immersed in the world of the Beats, creating a detailed bibliography of Kerouac's work while a graduate student in New York. From this expertise Charters pulled the heavyweight 1994 Jack Kerouac: A Biography, and now presents Kerouac's Selected Letters 1957-1969, which she edited. Elliott Bay Books, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

SUSAN DEWITT, THERESE MARTINEAU, JANET SEKIJIMA

Three local poets are featured in this presentation, which is part of the Seattle Love of Life Poets reading series, curated by Daniel Pearl. Tonight, at a special venue -- Diva Espresso, 7916 Greenwood Ave N, 789-4899, 7 pm, free.

*JONATHAN RABAN

Another chance to catch that eminent Seattle denizen and author of Passage to Juneau: A Sea and Its Meanings -- a remarkable nonfiction book that travels inlets and history with admirable seamanship. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.

*TIINA NUNNALLY

Top-ranked translator Nunnally is Seattle-based, and she continues her acclaimed translation of Nobel Prize-winning Norwegian novelist Sigrid Undset's Kristin Lavransdatter books with a new volume, The Wife. Elliott Bay Books, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 8 pm, free.

JANE JENSEN

Jensen's science fiction Millennium Rising combines mysterious visions, virulent epidemics, and conspiracy theories into a thriller-style read. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3300, 7 pm, free.

FRANK McCOURT

It'll be a mob scene -- Angela's Ashes author Frank McCourt reads from his follow-up (yes, Michiko Kakutani got her wish!), 'Tis, in which the young McCourt travels to America only to be embittered by class warfare. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, $5 (tickets available at Elliott Bay Book Store).

OPEN MIC

Note to regularly programmed open mics: The Stranger will list events only if we receive an announcement -- regular listings will be dropped unless we are notified that the events are in fact ongoing.

665

665 is back, reconfigured by Salon Productions. This open mic is hosted by Sarah Sharp, with featured readers adding to the equation. Four Angels Cafe, 1400 14th Ave at Union, 264-5139, 7:30 sign-up, free.

SPOKEN WORD

Each and every Thursday this venerable Pioneer Square venue spotlights music, poetry, and comedy. Pioneer Square Saloon, 73 Yesler Way, 624-6444, 8:30 pm, free.

RED SKY POETRY THEATER

Seattle's longest-running reading series turns 19 this season. Celebrate with featured reader David Christopher La Terre. Globe Cafe, 1531 14th off Pine, 633-5647, 7:30 pm, donation.

HOMELAND

Hosted by Circus and friends, "Seattle's own Little Bohemia" emerges from a hiatus transformed. The Globe Cafe, 1531 14th Ave at Pike, 264-5139, 7:30 sign-up, free.

SEATTLE POETRY SLAM

With a new venue and a new night, Seattle's biggest poetry slam is alive and kickin'. Tonight, Pushcart prize nominee Gina Grega reads, and musical guest Rick Miller plays. Rupert's, 309 First Ave S, 628-7703, www.seattlepoetryslam.org, 8 pm, $3.

CATHARTICISM

Come to confess your sins, stay for a cookie. Open mic for poetry, stories, music, rants, and more. Coffee Messiah, 1554 E Olive Way, 860-7377, 8:30 pm, free.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITERS:

WORDSCAPE -- The Stranger recommends that you pick up Wordscape, Seattle's free monthly guide to literary events, to find a complete listing of opportunities for writers. Wordscape has an outstanding listing of contests, grants, and calls for writing which we can only envy. Pick it up at most local bookstores and libraries!