Literary footnotes

ANNE WINGATE, former police sergeant and author of 21 nationally published books, including "Scene of the Crime," a how-to about writing mysteries, will present a free writing workshop on the creation of fictional characters, Wednesday, 7 p.m., Holladay Library, 2150 E. 4800 South. Sponsored by the League of Utah Writers (943-6571).

KATHERINE COLES, BILL COLES and JOAN COLES, local poets, will read from their works, Wednesday, Salt Lake City Main Library, fourth floor conference room, 210 E. 400 South. Sponsored by City Arts.

BRIAN EVENSON, professor of creative writing, Brown University and author of seven books of fiction, most recently, "The Wavering Knife," will read from his work, Thursday, 7 p.m., Art Barn/Finch Lane Gallery, 1325 E. 100 South in Reservoir Park. Sponsored by University of Utah Department of English and City Arts Council's Guest Writers Series.

LYLE & TRACY SHAMO, co-authors of "Debt-Free on Any Income," will sign copies of their book, Thursday, 7 p.m., Mormon Handicraft, 2601 E. Sunnyside Ave.

WILLIAM K. WYCKOFF, historical geographer, will present the Annaley Naegle Redd Lecture, "Rephotographing Montana: Views of a Changing American West, 1915-2005," Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University. Sponsored by Charles Redd Center for Western Studies.

ROYDEN CARD, poet and author of "Desert Drawn: Visual and Verbal Sketches," will read from his work, Friday, 7 p.m., The King's English Bookshop, 1510 E. 1500 South.

RICK STEVES, host of the PBS TV series "Rick Steves' Europe" and the best-selling author of 31 European travel books, will deliver the prestigious Dewey Lecture, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E. 400 South. Free tickets are available at all city library locations. Prior to the lecture, at 6 p.m., the library will host a reception for Steves. Tickets for the reception and priority lecture seating are available at The Library Store (main library) for $50 per person ($35 if four or more tickets are purchased at one time). Sponsored by The Marriott Downtown Hotel and Wycoff Travel.

THE MORMON WOMEN'S FORUM will hold its annual "Counterpoint Conference," Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Olpin Student Union, Panorama Room East, U. Lunch is $10 (581-4768).

THE DORSET PRIZE IN POETRY will be awarded in the amount of $10,000. Submission deadline is Dec. 1, 2004, www.tupelopress.org.

NINTH STORYTELLING FESTIVAL at Weber State University will take place Nov. 8-10, Ogden Eccles Conference Center and Peery's Egyptian Theater. For more information (626-8500 or 1-800-978-8457).

E-mail: dennis@desnews.com