Times writer Craig Pittman to launch ‘Cat Tale’ at Haslam’s

The University of Tampa’s low-residency MFA program Lectores reading series presents fiction writers Alan Michael Parker (Christmas in July) and Aramis Calderon (Dismount). Free. 7 p.m. Thursday. Vaughn Center on the University of Tampa campus, ninth floor, 401 W Kennedy Blvd.

Local author John Fairweather (Kwethluk: Two Years on the Bad River) will read from his memoir about Alaska at a launch party. Free. 6 p.m. Friday. Gino’s Restaurant and Bar, 10006 N Armenia Ave., Tampa. (813) 240-2848.

Eckerd College’s Writers in Paradise presents a series of readings by conference faculty and guests. All readings are followed by book signings, with books available for sale. Readings are free and open to the public; they take place in Miller Auditorium on the Eckerd College campus, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 386-2264. writersinparadise.com.

• 8 p.m. Saturday: Keynote speaker Dani Shapiro (Inheritance), Q&A with Les Standiford
• 7 p.m. Sunday: Ann Hood (Kitchen Yarns) and Sterling Watson (The Committee)
• 7 p.m. Monday: Ashley M. Jones (dark//thing), Michael Koryta (If She Wakes) and Stewart O’Nan (Henry, Himself)
• 7 p.m. Tuesday: Andre Dubus III (Gone So Long) and Stephanie Elizondo Griest (All the Agents and Saints: Dispatches from the U.S. Borderlands)

Local author and activist Edie Daly (Old Lesbian Memory Quilt: Stories told by Edie Daly on her 80th Birthday) will discuss and sign her book. Free. 1 p.m. Sunday. Tombolo Books, 2153 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 755-9456. tombolobooks.com.

Tampa Bay Times environmental reporter Craig Pittman (Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther) will discuss and sign his book. Free. 2 p.m. Sunday. Haslam’s Book Store, 2025 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. (727) 822-8616. haslams.com.

Local historian John Cinchett (Historic Tampa Churches) will sign his book. Free. 3 p.m. Sunday. Sulphur Springs Museum, 1101 E River Cove St., Tampa. (813) 935-9402.

To place an item in Book Talk, send author’s name, book title, appearance time, date, venue name and address, admission cost (if any) and a contact phone number to cbancroft@tampabay.com (with “Book Talk” in subject line) or Colette Bancroft, Tampa Bay Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Deadline is 14 days before publication.