BOOKS: EVENTS

2 Charleston Festival: novelists Howard Jacobson and Jonathon Meades talk about bad people producing good art; Sun 28, 3.15pm, pounds 4.95. Charleston Farmhouse, Nr Firle, Lewes, E Sussex. 01323 811626.

2 Huddersfield: Five women poets shortlisted for the Poetry Business Competition read their work before the winner is announced; Kirklees Media Centre, Northumberland St; Sun 28, 2pm, pounds 2/pounds 1. 01484 431289.

2 Swansea: poet Kwame Dawes, the winner of last year's Forward Prize, will read her work at the Arts Workshop Gallery, Gloucester Place; Sun 28, 7.30pm, pounds 3/pounds 2. 01792 652211.

2 Central London: Margaret Drabble reads from and signs copies of her biography of Angus Wilson at Waterstone's, 68 Hampstead High St, NW3; Tue 30, 7pm, pounds 2. 0171 794 1098.

Poets Ruth Fainlight and Herbert Lomas read at the Voice Box, Royal Festival Hall, SE1; Tue 30, 7.30pm, pounds 3.50/pounds 2. 0171 928 8800.

Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai discusses his work at the ICA, The Mall, SW1; Thur 1, 7.30pm, pounds 5.50/pounds 4.50 membs and concs. 0171 930 3647.

2 Brighton: Jon Savage talks about The Faber Book of Pop which he co- edited with Hanif Kureishi, at do tongues, upstairs at The Lift, Queens Road; Wed 31, 8pm, pounds 4.50/pounds 3.50. 01273 779411.

2 Manchester: Marge Piercy reads at Waterstone's, 91 Deansgate; Wed 31, 7pm, pounds 2. 0161 832 1992.

2 Edinburgh: David Bateman and the Liverpool Poets read at West End Hotel, 35 Palmerston Pl; Fri 2, 7.30pm, pounds 1.50/pounds 1. 0131 225 3656.

2 Guildford: crime writer Colin Dexter delivers a lecture, Morse and Me; Lecture theatre D, University of Surrey; Sat 3, 2.30pm. For free ticket call Jane Cohen, 01483 259260.