Good literature can warm the soul through even the most dramatic of seasonal temperature shifts. As usual, New Hampshire is serving up a feast of literary events this fall, including festivals, author appearances, open mikes and other programs. Don’t forget to check in with local bookstores and libraries for other upcoming events.

Writers on a New England Stage
Joining the ranks of literary icons who have participated in the Writers on a New England Stage series is Salman Rushdie, who will be at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Wednesday, Oct. 10, to read from his new nonfiction book, “Joseph Anton: A Memoir.” Presented by The Music Hall and RiverRun Bookstore, the event will include a reading and a live interview conducted by Virginia Prescott of National Public Radio’s “Word of Mouth.”

Also taking a turn on the theater’s stage this fall is Jeffrey Toobin, who will present his new nonfiction book, “The Oath: The Obama White House and the Supreme Court,” on Thursday, Oct. 25.

The Music Hall will continue its Writers in the Loft series with mystery novelist Lee Child’s presentation of “A Wanted Man” on Thursday, Sept. 13. Author Susan Orlean will follow on Tuesday, Oct. 16, with her latest book “Rin Tin Tin: The Life of the Legend.” On Wednesday, Nov. 14, Irish author Colm Toibin will hit The Loft with his new novel, “The Testament of Mary.” For more information on both series, visit www.themusichall.org.

One Hundred Thousand Poets for Change: Tying in with the global event, One Hundred Thousand Poets for Change and One Hundred Thousand Musicians for Change will take place in Exeter on Sunday, Sept. 29, from noon to 4 p.m. Local and regional poets, artists and musicians will offer performances celebrating the energy of music and spoken word, and fostering sustainability and social change.

Hosted by Portsmouth poet laureate John-Michael Albert, the free event will feature Rochester Poet Laureate Pat O’Brien, Gordon Lang, Poets in the Attic, John Simon, Nick and Sharon Pangaro, Phil and Sue Cassista, Joann Snow Duncanson, Diana Durham and Dorothy Braker, Tabbalat, Julie Dickson and others.

It all takes place on the second floor of Exeter Town Hall at 10 Front St. For more information, contact 603-642-4648 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Writers and Speakers Series: This very quietly promoted series, hosted by the English Department at UNH, rewards students and local writers with appearances by favorite emerging and established talent. Kate Bolick, contributing editor for The Atlantic and author of Atlantic cover story “All the Single Ladies,” will speak on Oct. 1. Tom Sleigh, who counts among his fans Philip Levine and Seamus Heaney, will read on Thursday, Oct. 25. All events are free, at the Memorial Union Building Theater at 5 p.m.

Murder in New Hampshire: The theme of this year’s New Hampshire Book Festival, hosted by the New Hampshire Writers’ Project from Oct. 10 to 14 in Concord, is Murder in New Hampshire. The festivities begin at Concord Public Library on Wednesday with “Poe & Me,” a discussion with novelist Elaine Isaak and poet Walter Butts about how Edgar Allan Poe has influenced their work. On Thursday, “Weight of Water” author Anita Shreve will headline in Sweeney Auditorium at the New Hampshire Technical Institute. On Friday night, authors who contributed short stories to the New Hampshire Pulp Fiction series book “Live Free or Die, Die, Die!” will read from their work at the Barley House. Following that, at the same location, up to eight writers will compete in the Flash Fiction competition, vying for the right to compete in the state finals in April. Among the other highlights is a workshop about murder in New Hampshire at Concord Library on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.nhwritersproject.org.

National Novel Writing Month: November is National Novel Writing Month, during which time aspiring authors are encouraged to complete an entire novel in just one month. Portsmouth Public Library aims to help local participants achieve that goal with its NaNoWriMo Writer’s Café, held every Tuesday in November from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Hilton Garden Room. As part of the national program’s Come Write In campaign, the library will provide a quiet space for writers to let the words flow. The café dates are Nov. 6, 13, 20 and 27. For more information, contact Heather Armitage at 603-766-1731 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

mike check: If you haven’t read at an open mike, what are you waiting for? There are plenty of welcoming rooms to give it a shot.

• Water Street Bookstore: The store holds its monthly poetry event, with a couple of featured poets followed by a willing readers, on the second Wednesday of the month, next on Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m., 125 Water St., Exeter, 603-778-9731.
• Serenity Market & Café: The café hosts an open mike poetry event on the third Monday of every month, next on Sept. 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., 25 Sagamore Road, Rye, 603-319-1671.
• The Press Room: Beat Night, an evening of poetry and spoken word accompanied by live music from the Larry Simon Ensemble, takes place on the third Thursday of the month, next on Sept. 20, from 7 to 8 p.m., 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 603-431-5186.
• Crackskull’s Coffee & Books: The shop’s monthly open mike poetry event returns this fall on the last Thursday of the month, from 7 to 9 p.m., with one featured reader followed by an open mike, next on Sept. 27, 86 Main St., Newmarket, 603-659-8181.
• Café Espresso: The Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program holds its monthly Poetry Hoot, with two featured readers followed by an open mike, on the first Wednesday of the month, next on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m., 738 Islington St., Portsmouth, 603-334-3407.
• Adelle’s Coffeehouse: Primal Tongue, the Seacoast’s only prose reading, with a different featured reader each month, takes place on the first Thursday of the month, next on October  4, and November 1, from 7 to 9 p.m., 3 Hale St., Dover, 603-742-1737
• Jabberwocky Bookshop: The Powow River Poets hold their Poetry Reading Series, with a pair of featured readers and an open mike, on the second Saturday of every other month, next on Nov. 10 at 3 p.m., 50 Water St., Newburyport, Mass., 978-465-9359.