* WAYNE GRYTTING
The powerful say the darnedest things; Grytting calls bullshit. The Seattle resident and Z Magazine columnist signs his debut, American Newspeak: The Mangling of Meaning for Power and Profit. University Bookstore, 4326 University Way, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
* HOLLY KREUTER
If you prefer your pornography dirty and hairy and painted purple, be sure to take an ashamed National Geographic glance at Kreuter's Drama in the Desert, her 10-year account of the sprawling Burning Man festival. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
FRIDAY 1/17
D. L. SMITH
Southern Oregon professor and playwright Smith visits with his debut novel, The Miracles of Santo Fico. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
SATURDAY 1/18
GREG MULLINS, ALICE NELSON, THERESE SALIBA
With all the talk of gender and sexual politics down there in Olympia, it's a wonder there's any breeding at all. And maybe that's for the best. Three representatives from Evergreen's faculty try to sort things out with their latest explorations of the topic. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7 pm, free.
SUZANNE PAOLA
In The Lives of the Saints, Paola attempts to sex up the sainthood with verse, weaving such embarrassingly time-sensitive subject matter as sheep cloning and cyberspace with classic parables of saintliness. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 4 pm, free.
SUNDAY 1/19
KÀMAL "THE DIVA" LARSUEL-ULBRICHT
Local film critic and 3BlackChicks.com cofounder Larsuel-Ulbricht discusses 3 Black Chicks Review Flicks, her sista-soaked "film guide with flava!" that addresses such prevalent topics as the "late-night booty-call flick," "The Black Factor," and "The Brotha Rule." Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 3 pm, free.
MONDAY 1/20
TANANARIVE & PATRICIA DUE
The typically speculative Tananarive Due takes a turn for the nostalgic in a maternally collaborative memoir about her and her mother's battles for civil rights in Freedom in the Family. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
MARIEL HEMINGWAY
Oh, that jawline. The Mariel Hemingway, a talent unmatched in the field of Lifetime network thespians, discusses Finding My Balance, her reflections on yoga and its life lessons. [Editor's note: Though Hemingway's career stretches four decades and includes at least one Oscar nomination, your editor was unable to recall a single film in which she appeared, short of Personal Best. I believe that this makes your editor a bad person.] Third Place Books, 366-3333, 6 pm, free. [Books Editor's note: Zac Pennington, you are worse than a bad person. One word: Manhattan. --Charles Mudede]
TUESDAY 1/21
JORGE CRUISE
Weight-loss "guru" Cruise wakes your housewife ass up early on a Tuesday morning to discuss his latest, 8 Minutes in the Morning. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 10 am, free.
ROBERT FERRIGNO
Local thriller writer Ferrigno signs Scavenger Hunt, his latest novel featuring such unsavory monikers as "Rollo" and "Jimmy Gage." Barnes & Noble, 2700 NE University Village, 517-4107, 7 pm, free.
* GEORGE PLIMPTON
He's old, and he's better than you: Literary icon Plimpton proves his superiority with an engaging evening of articulate ramblings. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St, 621-2230, 7:30 pm, $9-$23.
RICHARD PRICE
See Stranger Suggests. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
WEDNESDAY 1/22
JOHN L'HEUREUX
Former priest L'Heureux delivers The Miracle, a novel regarding a priest in a crisis of faith. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
POETRY/OPEN MICS
HOMELAND--Words. So many words. Tuesdays at 7 pm. Caffe Vita, 1005 E Pike, 709-4440, free.
OUT OF TUNE--Poetry and music free-for-all hosted by Jon Hogan. Thursdays at 8:30 pm, signup at 8 pm. The 15th, 7515 15th Ave NW, 706-4973, free.
POETSWEST--Featuring Judith Adams, Murray Gordon, David Hanna, and Jeanne Lanigan. Sun Jan 19 at 7 pm. Penny Cafe, 1707 NW Market St, 682-1268, free.
ReBIRTH--All-ages open-mic brouhaha. Sundays at 7 pm. French and European Artistic and Cultural Center, 623 Broadway E, 726-4843, free.
RED SKY POETRY--Featuring readings from Sam Warren and others. Sun Jan 19 at 7:30 pm. Globe Cafe, 1531 14th Ave, 547-4585, free.
SCRATCHING POST--Poetry open mic, all ages. Thursdays at 8 pm, signup at 7:30 pm. Mr. Spot's Chai House, 5463 Leary Ave NW, 297-2424, free.
SEATTLE POETRY SLAM--Open mic and slam with Karen Finneyfrock. Wednesdays at 8 pm. Sit & Spin, 2219 Fourth Ave, 441-9484, $4.
TAKE A POEM INTO YOUR HEART--Featuring Paul Nelson, Christopher Jarmick, and Stephen Roxborough. Thurs Jan 16 at 7 pm. Lottie Motts, 4900 Rainier Ave S, 725-8199, $2.
