Literary footnotes

ISHMAEL BEAH, author of "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier," will read from his book, Thursday, 6 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 1090 S. State. (Sponsored by The King's English.)

JONATHAN BALCOMBE, behavioral scientist and author of "Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good," will discuss and sign copies of his book, Friday, 7 p.m., The King's English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East.

J.W. RINZLER, author of "The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film," will speak at the South Branch Library, 725 S. Main, Bountiful, Saturday, noon. He will be accompanied by "Star Wars" characters. Seating is limited, but free tickets will be distributed on a first-come basis at all Davis County Library branches this week.

MARGARET HEVEL, author of "The Ivory Elephant," will sign copies of his book, Saturday, 2 p.m., The King's English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East.

THE ASSOCIATION FOR MORMON LETTERS is accepting manuscripts for its seventh-annual Irreantum Magazine fiction contest. First place will be awarded $250, second place $175, third place $100. Because Irreantum is a literary journal dedicated to exploring Mormon culture, all contest entries must relate to the Mormon experience in some way. Authors need not be LDS. Any fictional form up to 8,500 words will be considered. Entries must be submitted electronically as an e-mail attachment to submissions@irreantum.org by May 31st (www.irrerantum.org).

E-mail: dennis@desnews.com