EVENTS

EDINBURGH: Ruth Rendell reads from the new Barbara Vine paperback The Brimstone Wedding at Waterstone's East End, 13-14 Princes St; Tue 28, 7pm, free. 0131 556 3034

Poets Douglas Oliver, Alice Notley and Mick Imlah read at Netherbow Arts Centre, 43-45 High St; Wed 29, 7.45pm, pounds 3/pounds 2. 0131 556 9579

A L Kennedy reads from her latest collection of short stories, Original Bliss, at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13-29 Nicolson St; Wed 29, 7pm; tickets pounds 1 (three for pounds 2); 0131 556 6743, ex 232

LONDON: poets Ian McMillan and Grace Nichols read at the Voice Box, Royal Festival Hall, SE1; Tue 28, 7.30pm, pounds 4/pounds 2.50. 0171 960 4242

The Company of Storytellers (Ben Haggarty, Pomme Clayton and Hugh Lupton) explore ancient tales in their new show; Purcell Room, RFH, SE1; Wed 29, 7.30pm, pounds 6/pounds 3.50. 0171 960 4242

Canadian authors Gail Anderson- Dargatz and Anne Michaels read at Macdonald House, Grosvenor Sq W1; Thur 30, 6.30pm, free. 0171 258 6419

NORWICH: Blake Morrison discusses his work; Lecture Theatre 1, Centre for Creative and Performing Arts, UEA; Tue 28, 7pm, pounds 3.50/pounds 2. 01603 592810

ARVON: the new prospectus is now available, with details of the year's creative-writing courses. A strong poetry line-up includes Mark Doty and Sarah Maguire (April); Sophie Hannah and Brian Patten (May); Wendy Cope and Christopher Reid (July). Plus Hermione Lee and Jenny Uglow (biography), Simon Armitage ("Writing with Sound"), and Kate Pullinger and Marianne Wiggins on the novel. Send an SAE for the full programme to: The Arvon Foundation, Lumb Bank, Heptonstall, Hebden Bridge, West Yorks HX7 6DF