Welcome to this week's summary of literary events happening in Toronto.

Tuesday, April 29th:

FREE SPEECH returns with another fabulous line-up of Parkdale/High Park-based wordsmiths. Novelist Michael Winter, playwright Claudia Dey and comedian Katie Crown will be featured this month, along with country crooner Justin Rutledge. Hosted and curated by Johan Hultqvist.
Tinto. 7pm (arrive early, as seats are limited!) Free.

Author Jim Munroe (author of An Opening Act of Unspeakable Evil) moderates a panel of three up-and-coming local writers - Emily Pohl-Weary (Strange Times at Western High), Paul Hong (Your Love is Murder, or the Case of the Mangled Pie) and Kristyn Dunnion (Big Big Sky) on how and why to get started writing Science Fiction, mysteries and other genre fiction. Q&A to follow. Part of the TPL's Canada Council Heritage Series.
Eatonville Branch. 7pm. Free.

Experienced independent investor, Gail Bebee, discusses her new book, No Hype - The Straight Goods on Investing Your Money, the book she couldn't find when she decided to take control of her investments. Ms. Bebee completed the Canadian Securities Course with honours and is a member of the Tycoon's Investment Club. Question and answer to follow. Call 416-395-5639 to register.
North York Central Library Auditorium. 7pm. Free.

Fascination Street is a new spoken word night that pushes boundaries by seeking out the best alternative, experimental and fringe writers in the city. The first installment of Fascination Street will feature Leigh Beadon, Demian Carynnyk, Sandra Kasturi, Kristen McGregor, Hugh Oliver, Brett Alexander Savory, Mindi St. Amand, Mad Poet Blake Satyr, and Liz Worth.
Augusta House. 7:30pm. PWYC.

Have you ever suspected that international diplomats simply make it up as they go along? If so, author and academic Gregory Levey will confirm your worst fears at the launch of his memoir, Shut Up I'm Talking - And Other Lessons I Learned In The Israeli Government. Levey will recount his hilarious, bizarre encounters with Middle East politics and engage in an extended Q&A with the audience. A This Is Not A Reading Series event.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom. 8pm (doors 7:30 pm). Free.

Karen Houle (author of During), Jerome Paul (winner of the 2008 Art Bar Discovery Night) and Dave Margoshes at are reading at this week's edition of the Art Bar Reading Series.
Clinton's. 8pm. Free (donations accepted).

Come on out for the Coffeehouse Cabaret Open Stage featuring music, spoken word, and comedy with host Shawn Sage.
Renaissance Cafe. 9pm (sign up is at 8:30pm). Free.

Wednesday, April 30th:

Kelley Armstrong, the author of the wildly popular "Women of the Otherworld" series, will read from her latest novel, Personal Demon; the sexy, action-packed story of a half-demon tabloid journalist and her adventures in crime. Also enjoy a sneak preview of her next novel, The Summoning. Q&A to follow. Part of the TPL's Canada Council Heritage Series.
Cedarbrae Branch. 7pm. Free.

Three authors read from their extraordinary and powerful new novels. Unconnected lives become entwined in Andre Alexis's Asylum, Steven Galloway's The Cellist of Sarajevo paints a heartbreaking picture of human resilience in times of war, and Andrew O'Hagan's Be Near Me is the story of secrets and scandal brought to a small Scottish town. This International Reading at Harbourfront will be hosted by Rachel Harry.
Harbourfront Centre Brigantine Room. 7pm. $8.

Thursday, May 1st:

Celebrate the opening of an exhibit shown in conjunction with the new book Toronto: A City Becoming (edited by David Macfarlane), with photographs by Michael Awad, Scott Johnston and David Kaufman. The show will be on display from today until August 3rd. Curated by Eleanor Johnston.
David Mirvish Books. 10am. Free.

Science fiction author and boingboing.net co-editor Cory Doctorow launches his new novel, Little Brother, the story of a teen hacker who takes on the Department of Homeland Security after a terrorist attack on San Francisco turns the U.S. into a police state. Book launch followed by Q&A and book-signing; books for sale by Bakka-Phoenix Books.
Lillian H. Smith Branch. 7pm. Free.

The Mayworks Festival of Working People and the Arts presents Boonaa Mohammed, Truth Is, Pip Skid, Emcee E and Rafeef Ziadah; five emerging and award-winning poets who've got something to say! They will be joined by students from local Toronto high schools who are participants in the Mayworks in the Schools Program.
Concord Cafe. 7pm. $5.

Celebrate the launch for Girls Fall Down by Maggie Helwig. Her reading will be followed by a short Q&A led by author Zoe Whittall (author of Bottle Rocket Hearts.
Toronto Women's Bookstore. 7pm. Free.

Fitzhenry & Whiteside and authors Alan R. Wilson and Eric Miller invite you to join them in celebrating the official launch of Sky Atlas and The Day in Moss. Hosted by Govenor General's Literary Award nominee Evan Jones. Light refreshments will be provided.
Bar Italia. 7:30pm. Free.

Why do some ideas thrive while others die? And how do we improve the chances of worthy ideas? In Made to Stick, accomplished educator and idea collector Dan Heath tackles head-on these vexing questions. Check out Indigo CEO Heather Reisman as she chats with Heath. Book signing to follow.
Indigo Bay & Bloor. 7pm. Free.

What is the nature of humanitarian action in the twenty-first century? Based in large part on his experience of working with Doctors Without Borders during the Rwandan genocide, Dr. James Orbinski provides a thought-provoking response to this quandary in his highly anticipated book, An Imperfect Offering. Dr. Orbinski will engage in a timely on-stage conversation about the politics of compassion with Gillian Findlay of CBC's "The Fifth Estate", followed by a Q&A session with the audience. A This Is Not A Reading Series event.
Church Of The Holy Trinity. 7:30pm (doors 7pm). $5 (get your ticket at Pages Books & Magazines; in person ticket sales only, no reserves or holds).

Friday, May 2nd:

This month, Cryptic Chatter celebrates five years with spoken word artists Amanda Hiebert and Dwayne Morgan. There will also be an open mic and a question and answer period for the featured performers after their sets. Hosted by Valentino Assenza. To sign up for the open mic session, email Assenza and arrive early to sign up.
Renaissance Cafe. 7:30pm. $5.

Saturday, May 3rd:

Discover what it takes to get published and how it can be easier than you think at the "What It Takes to Get Published Writing Workshop". Do you want to see your ideas in print? Are you ready to publish your stories? Griot Productions presents author and editor Althea Prince, leading a workshop for writers of all levels. You'll find out the simple steps and overlooked opportunities that can lead to publishing success. The workshop will also include creative writing exercises to help get your ideas flowing. To register or for more information, please contact Griot Productions at (416) 405-8490.
Hangman Gallery. 10am - 12pm. $45.

Sunday, May 4th:

The Globe and Mail/Ben McNally Brunch Series presents Misha Glenny (author of McMafia), Mary Roach (Bonk), Jane Johnson (The Tenth Gift) and Rabih Alameddine (The Hakawati).
King Edward Hotel. 10am. $40.

Please join Margaret Norquay and family to celebrate the publication of Broad Is the Way: Stories from Mayerthorpe. Part of the "Life Writing" Series from Wilfrid Laurier University Press, this book is a collection of stories from Margaret and Jim Norquay's seven years in Mayerthorpe, Alberta in the early 1950s. Told with affection and gentle humour, the stories cover the challenges, heartaches, and delights of a young community and a minister and his wife in a very new marriage. Refreshments will be served.
Metropolitan United Church Dining Room. 12:30 - 2pm. Free.

Monday, May 5th:

Did you know you can beat stress, lift your mood, fight memory loss, sharpen your intellect, and function better than ever simply by elevating your heart rate and breaking a sweat? In Spark, John J. Ratey, M.D. embarks upon a fascinating and entertaining journey through the mind-body connection, presenting startling research to prove that exercise is truly our best defense against everything. Come out for an interview with Heather Reisman and Dr. Ratey. Book signing to follow.
Indigo Bay & Bloor. 7pm. Free.

Johanna Skibsrud (Late Nights With Wild Cowboys), Stacey May Fowles (Be Good) and Laila Haidarali are reading at this month's Strong Words Reading Series.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom. 7:30pm. Free.