*CLARK HUMPHREY

See Bio Box. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

*JEROME GOLD

Stranger reviewer Rebecca Brown describes Gold's sixth book, Prisoners, as "ruthless, powerful... For the people in this book, belief in anything like God or family or culture is an irrelevant, impossible luxury. These speakers' lives are about little more than brute survival." Gold's straightforward style, honed here and in his newest book, Sergeant Dickinson, "makes us think about both the individual and cultural inheritance of violence." Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

JOHN FRIEL

What are The Seven Worst Things Parent Do? Mr. Friel wants to tell you. Barnes & Noble, Pacific Place Main Floor, 264-0156, 2 pm, free.

BRYANT MILLIMAN, GABRIELLE BOULAINE, DENNIS REA, GRETA NINTZEL & DAN BLUNK

An architect turned writer, a bohemian child turned spoken word artist, and a poet who accompanies a musician make up tonight's Titlewave bill, promising variety that sparkles like the many-yeared stars. Titlewave Books, 7 Mercer St, 324-6379, 7:30 pm, free.

MARTIN MARRIOTT, NANCY DAHLBERG, TOM ERDMANN JR.

A night of poetry, with local writers. An open mic follows -- match your wits against the headliners! Wit's End Bookstore, 770 N 34th St, 547-2330, 7 pm, free.

*MATT BRIGGS

See Stranger Suggests, page 49. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 7:30 pm, free.

RON C. JUDD

The Seattle Times columnist offers an illustrated and keyed guide to outdoor housekeeping in Camping! Washington: The Complete Guide to Public Campgrounds for Rvs and Tents. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

*STAGGERED THIRDS

Gregory Hischak, Anna Mockler, and Doug Nufer's literary creation is a three-headed hydra of storytelling, the feat of writers who are extremely accomplished on their own, made manifold by combined talent. Yessir, it's well worth the asking price! Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 7:30 pm, $5.

CAROLINE FRASER

Fraser wrestles with her Christian Science upbringing in her memoir, God's Perfect Child. A book that has stirred up new pools of ongoing controversies, Fraser combines her personal experience with others' accounts of the failure of "faith healing" and an interview with the chairman of the church's board of directors. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

PHILLIP LEE

A New York editor of children's books speaks on trends in children's literature and publishing, at this meeting of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators that is open to the public. Seattle Pacific University, Beigle Hall 150, 932-3157, 7 pm, $5.

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.

THE PEARL

Turn irritation into beauty: bring fiction, poetry, film, or drama. Every first Thursday celebrates Dead Poets. The Pearl, 4215 University Way NE, 547-3326, 8 pm, free.

665

A Salon production: open mic, spoken word, and music. Four Angels Cafe, 1400 14th Ave, 329-4066, 8 pm, free.

COFFEE MESSIAH

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!