EVENTS

2 London: A writers' surgery for authors and poets takes place at Willesden Green Library, High Rd, NW10 on Sun 6, 2pm-6pm. Call Kadija on 0171 275 8704 for details.

Hanif Kureishi, Andrea Levy and Jon Savage take part in a "Rave Reading" at 55-56 Turnmill St, EC1. DJs, video clips and host Trevor Laid (of Quadrophenia); Thur 10, 8pm-3am, pounds 5. Info: 0181 802 8929

2 Aberdeen: Gaitherin' the Blaw: spooky stories for a summer evening from Stanley Robertson and friends at the Arts Centre, 33 King St; Tue 8, 7.30pm, pounds 3/pounds 2. 01224 635208

2 Grasmere: all-day Keats Symposium at the Prince of Wales Hotel on Sun 6, pounds 30 (excluding meals); lectures, discussion and visit to the exhibition at Dove Cottage. 015394 35544

Michael Foot gives a lecture How Could We Live Without the Great Critics? (venue as above), Fri 11, pounds 5. Part of the International Wordsworth Summer Festival. Details 015394 35544

2 Swansea: poets Robert Minhinnick and John Livingston Clark read at the Camelot Suite, Salubrious Passage, off Wind St; Tue 8, 7.30pm, pounds 3/pounds 2. 01792 652211

American Poet Laureate Rita Dove reads at Ty Llen, Somerset Pl; Sat 12, 7.30pm, pounds 4/pounds 3. 01792 652211

2 Edinburgh Book Festival: Begins Sat. Kids, test your knowledge of the works of Roald Dahl and win prizes at the Post Office Theatre; Sat 12, 1.45pm, pounds 2.50/pounds 1.25.

Victoria Glendinning, Yvonne Roberts and Canadian novelist Jane Urquhart read from their work at Coutts Studio Theatre; Sat 12, 5pm, pounds 3.50/pounds 1.75. Festival tickets from James Thin, 57 George St or by phone on 0131 220 3990.

2 Glasgow: National Book Day: David Campbell, Bernard MacLaverty and Janice Galloway read at CCA, 350 Sauchiehall St; Sat 12, 8pm, pounds 2/pounds 1. 0141 332 0522

Billy Kay and Rod Paterson perform "Knee Deep in Claret", poetry, music and stories, at the Fort Theatre, Kemure Ave, Bishopbriggs; free. Info: 0141 776 2571