JONATHAN HOLDEN The Kansas State University poet-in-residence reads from his work and talks about the life of Richard Hugo. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th, 322-7030. Fri., June 1.

RICHARD RUSSO Russo presents his latest novel, Empire Falls, which chronicles blue-collar life in a New England mill town. Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main, 624-6600. Tues., June 5.

COPPER CANYON POETS Three poets visit Open Books to read from their new collections, published by the local Copper Canyon Press: Marvin Bell, who divides his time between the University of Iowa and Port Townsend, shares Nightworks (Thurs., June 7); Steven Kuusisto and Rebecca Wee discuss their books, Only Bread, Only Light and Uncertain Grace, respectively. (Sun., July 10). Open Books, 2414 N. 45th, 633-0811.

JAMES ELLROY The author of L.A. Confidential flies up from the City of Angels to unleash the devils of his new novel, The Cold Six Thousand. Taking place in the ’60s, the epic follow-up to American Tabloid—set in numerous locales and featuring countless characters—shows the extent to which power can corrupt. Seattle Mystery Bookshop, 117 Cherry, 587-5737. Sun., June 10.

TOM SPANBAUER The author of The Man Who Fell in Love with the Moon reads from his latest novel, In the City of Shy Hunters, about a young Idahoan searching for himself in Manhattan during the early years of the AIDS epidemic. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., 366-3300. Thurs., June 14.

DAVID SEDARIS If you missed Sedaris when he visited Seattle as part of the Foolproof Comedy series, worry not: The hilarious, wry essayist/ short-story writer returns to town to read again from Me Talk Pretty One Day. Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main, 624-6600. Sun., June 17.

RICHARD HUGO HOUSE WRITERS-IN-RESIDENCE CELEBRATION This year’s writers-in-residence, Joan Fiset and Charles Mudede, share their work before they say buh-bye come fall. Hugo House will also introduce its new W-I-Rs at the reading. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th, 322-7030. Tues., June 19.

SUE GRAFTON With her latest novel, the alphabet-addicted best-selling mystery author tells us that P Is for Peril. “P” is also for pleasurable reading on the plane, by the beach, or at the campground. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., 366-3300. Thurs., June 21.

A SENSE OF WHERE WE ARE In this UW lecture series, a slew of extremely talented Northwest authors talk about a sense of place in their work. The lineup includes James Welch (Thurs., June 28), Ivan Doig (Thurs., July 5), Mary Clearman Blew (Thurs., July 12), Tess Gallagher (Thurs., July 19), David Waggoner (Thurs., August 2), and David James Duncan (Tues., August 7). UW campus, Savery Hall, Room 239, 634-3400.

RIDLEY PEARSON The St. Louis- based author of the classic novel Undercurrents discusses his latest mystery, Parallel Lies. Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main, 624-6600. Mon., July 9. Also at Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., 366-3300. Tues., July 10.

NICK HORNBY The British author behind the pop culture-referencing cult phenomenon that is High Fidelity reads from his new novel, How to Be Good, about a doctor whose life goes topsy-turvy when her husband begins a spiritual transformation. Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main, 624-6600. Mon., July 16.

ZADIE SMITH This Londoner successfully wooed the literary world with her novel, White Teeth, which tackles race, sex, class, and history: It won the Whitbread Prize for a debut novel in 2000. She appears as part of UW’s Summer Arts Festival. UW campus, Kane Hall, Walker Ames Room, 634-3400. Sun., July 17.

ROBERT CLARK The prize-winning author of In the Deep Midwinter presents a new novel, Love Among the Ruins, about the first love shared by two teenagers—a devout Catholic girl and a boy rebelling against the evils of the System. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400. Wed., July 18. Also at Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., 366-3300. Mon., July 23. Also at Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main, 624-6600. Tues., July 31.

J.A. JANCE Who needs a summer vacation? Not Jance, the local thriller author who reads from her latest novel, Paradise Lost, published less than a year after her last book, Birds of Prey: A Novel of Suspense. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., 366-3300. Tues., August 7.

E. LYNN HARRIS A highly prolific best-selling author whose fiction has the trappings of a damn good soap opera—bisexuality, glamour, intrigue, etc.—Harris reads from his newest novel, Any Way the Wind Blows, starring characters from some of his past successes. Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main, 624-6600. Mon., August 13.

CHARLES CROSS Judging from the Kurt Cobain-related schlock that has oozed into the public consciousness over the past couple of years, Cross’ biography of the Aberdeen native, Heavier than Heaven, could be a disappointment. It could also be a great read: The former editor of The Rocket based this book on more than 400 interviews, four years of research, and exclusive access to Cobain’s unpublished diaries. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400. Wed., August 15.