EVENTS

2 Central London: Mark Simpson, author of Male Impersonators, and Lorraine Gammon, author of Female Fetishism: A New Look, debate fandom with Frank Vermorel and John Aizlewood at the ICA, The Mall, SW1; Mon 27, 7.30pm £5.50/£4.50. 071 930 3647.

Angus Calder discusses the work of George Orwell, Elizabeth Bowen and Keith Douglas (part of The Forties: War And Peace); Voice Box, Royal Festival Hall, South Bank, SE1; Wed 29, 7.30pm, £3.50/£2. 071 928 8800.

2 Hampstead: Simon Callow reads from and signs copies of his new biography of Orson Welles at Waterstone's, 68 High St, NW3; Mon 27, 7pm, £2. 071 794 1098.

2 Galway: To launch the Cirt Festival, Edna O'Brien and Louise Erdrich read from their work at Galway Arts Centre, 47 Dominic St; Tues 28, 9pm, £5/£4. 010 353 91 65886. Beat poet Allen Ginsberg performs at 23 Nun's Island; Sat 1, 9.30pm, £5/£4.

2 Portsmouth: Welsh poets Duncan Bush and Gwyneth Lewis read from their new collections at the Central Library; Wed 29, 7.30pm, £3/£1.50. 0705 834183.

2 Lancaster: A mix of poetry and fiction with local writers Ian Marchant, Dave Downes, Marian McCraith, Sarah Padmore and others; upstairs at Pizza Margherita, Moor Lane; Thur 30, 7.30pm, £4/£2. 0524 62166.

2 Manchester: Professor John Butler leads a debate on on his book The Quest For Beckett's Bones at Waterstone's, 91 Deansgate; Wed 29, 7pm, £2. 061 832 1992.

2 Swansea: The results, with readings from the winners, of Poetry Wales' Young Poet of the Year Competition; Ty Lln, Somerset Place; Thur 30, 7pm. 0656 767834.

2 Bury St Edmunds: Novelist Stephen Amidon gives a talk about contemporary American fiction as part of the Ways With Words Literary Weekend; Cathedral Lecture Room; Sat 1, 12pm, £5.50. 0803 867311.

2 Dublin: Martin Amis reads from The Information at Waterstone's, 7 Dawson St; Sat 1, 1pm. 00353 16791 260.

2 Huddersfield: Poets Daphne Glazer and Steve Littlejohn lead an all- day writing session at Kirkburton Library, Kirkburton Workshops; Sat 1, 10.30am, £6/£4. 0484 452070. Part of the Huddersfield Poetry Festival.