5/1

Flash fiction writer Claudia Smith. 7pm. Just Buffalo’s Communique Flash Fiction series presents Claudia Smith. Rust Belt Books (202 Allen St., Buffalo, 885-9535)

5/2

Nickel City Poetry Slam. 7pm. Finals night competition w/winners going to the national contest. Special guest Carlos Andrés Gómez. Albright-Knox Art Gallery (1285 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, 882-8700)

5/3

“Is Political Fiction Possible?” 2pm. A panel discussion with author Joshua Cohen, UB Professor Mark Schechner and Starcherone Books publisher Ted Pelton. Rust Belt Books (202 Allen St., Buffalo, 885-9535)

Flash fiction writer Lou Rera. 2pm. Book signing and discussion with flash fiction writer Rera, author of There are no doors on a cocoon. Borders Books (3480 Amelia Dr., Orchard Park, 825-1755)

Author Joshua Cohen. 8pm. Cohen reads from his novel A Heaven of Others. Hallwalls Cinema (341 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, 854-1694)

5/4

“Being What We Are.” 3pm. Performance of Meredith Jones’s winning entry in the “Write To Be Heard” student playwrighting competition. $5/adult; $3/students. Shea’s Smith Theater (660 Main St., Buffalo, 847-1410)

Poet Celia White. 4pm. Tru-Teas poetry open mic featuring White. Slots available for open readers. Tru-Teas! (810 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, 887-2921)

5/7

Poetry Reading. 7pm. Reading with area poets Linda Drajem, Barbara Faust, and Kathleen Shoemaker to celebrate publication of their new book InterSessions. Talking Leaves Books (3158 Main St., Buffalo, 837-8554)

Book Discussion. 7pm. Friends of the Center Book Club will discuss Galatea 2.2 by Richard Powers. Center for Inquiry (1310 Sweet Home Rd., Amherst, 636-4869)

Literary Cafe. 7:30pm. CFI/Just Buffalo Literary Cafe hosted by Perry S. Nicholas and featuring readers Jennifer Campbell and Lisa Forrest. Slots available for open readers. Center for Inquiry (1310 Sweet Home Rd., Amherst, 636-4869)

RECURRING EVENTS

See last week’s issue (we needed the space).EM Tea Coffee Cup Open Mic Poetry Series. Meets every Tuesday, 7-9:30pm . EM Tea Coffee Cup Café, (80 Oakgrove Ave. at Hughes St., 884-1444)Beat Night. An open forum for poets and writers that meets every Wednesday at Madame Mocha’s (1190 Lovejoy St., 894-8544)

Elmwood Writers Group. Meets every Wednesday at 7pm. For more info, visit www.elmwoodwritersgroup.org. Starbucks (933 Elmwood Ave.)

Just Buffalo Writers Critique Group. First and third Wednesday each month, 7pm (members only). Just Buffalo Literary Center (Market Arcade, 617 Main St., Suite 202A, 832-5400) www.justbuffalo.org

new/reN.E.W. Reading Series. Third Thursday of every month at 7pm. One “seasoned voice” formerly involved with the late Niagara-Erie Writers and one “new” voice. Impact Artists’ Gallery, (2495 Main St. (Tri-Main Building), Suite 545, Buffalo)

Northside Writers Group. 7pm. Meets the first and third Thursday of each month. Ascension Lutheran Church (4640 Main Street, Amherst, 626-4204)

Philosophy School Cafe. 7pm. Every Friday in the bookstore. School of the Arts (402 Center St., Lewiston, 471-5379)

The Poetik High. 7-9pm. Poetry open mic, every other Friday. Gallery 51 (567-569 Elmwood Ave., 332-6821) www.gallery51byek.com

Spoken Word Sundays. 8pm. Monthly event on the second Sunday of each month. Next one April 13 with featured readers Mike Kelleher and Herb Kauderer. Sign-up at 7:45pm. Allen Street Hardware (245 Allen St., 882-8843)

WNY Romance Writers Group. Third Wednesday of every month. St. Joseph Hospital Community Room (2605 Harlem Rd., Cheektowaga, 891-2400)