London and the south-east
15 Jan: Bedtime Stories The first in a new series of spoken word evenings, featuring Lee Rourke and music from Zan Fracaroli. Indo, 133 Whitechapel Rd, E1, 8pm, free
15 Jan: Martin Amis's Money A panel discussion of Amis's satirical novel, chaired by Peter Florence, director of the Guardian Hay Festival. Conference Centre, British Library, 6.30pm, £6/£4
16 Jan: Rhyming as Intimacy, Rhyming as Radicalism Dame Gillian Beer explores the persuasive power of rhyme, in the Poetry Society Annual Lecture. St Giles-in-the-Fields, Holborn, 7.30pm, £10/£5
19 Jan: Elvis's New Year Poetry Party World Poetry Slam Champion Elvis McGonagall introduces four up-and-coming live poets. Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, SW11, 9pm, £4.75/£3.50
21 Jan: Points of Play Playwright Chloe Moss presents Creating Characters That Breathe, the first in a series of lectures led by top writers and directors. Nightingale Theatre, 29-30 Surrey St, Brighton, 11am-4.30pm
West and Wales
16 Jan: Andrew Rudd and Jo Bell An evening of readings from the Cheshire Poet Laureates. Little Sutton Library, Chester Rd, Little Sutton, 7pm
16 Jan: Thomas Love Peacock - An Appreciation Geoff Catchpole from the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution explores the work of the English satirist. BRLSI, Queen St, Bath, tel. 01225 312084
18 Jan: Creative Writing at the Octagon Theatre The bestselling Dorset novelist Sarah Challis launches a series of informal evenings of reading and discussion. Johnson Studio, Octagon Theatre, Hendford, Yeovil, Somerset, 7.30pm, £3.50
20 Jan: Magazine Fiction Writing Day Poet and short story writer Susan Johnson leads a workshop day organised by the cancer research charity Cobalt. Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, tel. 01386 556177, £55 incl. lunch
East and Central
16 Jan: John Seed and Liz Cashdan The poet and social historian John Seed reads from his work, along with Sheffield-based writer Liz Cashdan. Flying Goose Café, Beeston, tel. 0115 925 1827, 7.30pm, £3
North
15 Jan: Northern Lines The literary group starts the year with readings of prose and poetry, along with an open mic spot and live music. Literary and Philosophical Society, 23 Westgate Road, Newcastle, 6.30pm
15 Jan: Remembering Slavery in 2007 Curator Hazel Edwards and researcher Elizabeth O'Donnell explore the contribution made by women from the north-east to the abolition of slavery. World Headquarters, Curtis Mayfield House, Carliol Sq, Newcastle, 7pm
19 Jan: Zahid Hussain The author returns to Blackburn to promote his first novel, The Curry Mile, set in Manchester's curry district. Blackburn Central Library, Town Hall St, Blackburn, 7pm, £4.75/£3.50
Scotland
16-17 Jan: Storytelling Training Course Courses across Dumfries and Galloway, run by professional storytellers and teachers and organised by the Scottish Storytelling Centre and the Glenkens Arts Trust. £60 for two day course
17 Jan: Burns an A' That An alternative evening of stories, poetry and song hosted by storyteller, writer and musician Stuart Hardy. Scottish Storytelling Centre, High St, Edinburgh, 6pm, £3
21 Jan: Talking Trees Storytelling A storytelling event suitable for children of all ages. Exhibition Hall, Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, 2pm, free
Ireland
15 Jan: Creative Writing for Beginners An introductory class on poetry, stories and memoir, run by writer Kevin Higgins. Galway Technical Institute, Father Griffin Road, Galway, tel. 091 581342
16 Jan: The Poetry of WH Auden Stephen Matterson explores the poet's work, as part of a Poetry and Politics evening lecture series. Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing, School of English, 21 Westland Row, Dublin, 7.30pm
Please send listings information to: literary-listings@hotmail.co.uk
