Texas Writers Month Events, May 2-May 9

Thursday, May 2

Celebrate the Ninth Annual Texas Writers Month Statewide Kick-Off Party. Open and free to the public.

Friday, May 3

With his books Anguished English, Bride of Anguished English, and Get Thee to a Punnery, grammar-monger Richard Lederer stops by BookPeople before becoming one of the judges for the 25th Annual O. Henry Pun-Off. Lederer is a regular guest on the weekend edition of NPR's All Things Considered.

Saturday, May 4

The 25th Annual O. Henry World-Championship Pun-Off. Call the O. Henry Museum (472-1903) for more details or access www.punpunpun.com. Note: This year's Pun-Off takes place in Wooldridge Park, not at the O. Henry Museum, as in the past.

Monday, May 6

Robert Caro presents The Years of Lyndon Johnson: Master of the Senate. See p.40 of this week's Chronicle for review.

May 6

"Whose Mystery Is It, Anyway?"

Join Sisters in Crime authors as they read their own versions of an introduction to a mystery, using common elements. Call 328-3652 for more information about participating.

Tuesday, May 7

The O. Henry Museum, the Capitol Visitors Center, and the local Sisters in Crime chapter will sponsor a reading of O. Henry's famous mystery short story "Bexar Scrip 2692--. Call the O. Henry Museum (472-1903) for more details.

May 7

In honor of World in Translation Month, three Austin-based translators -- Liliana Valenzuela, Craig Cravens, and Marian Schwartz -- will read from their recent translations.

Wednesday, May 8

Cindy Eppes, South of Reason (see review, above).

Thursday, May 9

Christopher Cook, author of last year's noirish Texas novel Robbers, reads from his most recent publication, a collection of short stories, Screen Door Jesus. -- Clay Smith