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Author Margot Singer has been named the 2017 Wallant Award winner for her novel, “Underground Fugue,” and Rachel Hall is the runner-up for her debut story collection, “Heirlooms.”

The awards will be presented by the University of Hartford’s Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies at a ceremony Wednesday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Mandell Jewish Community Center, 335 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford.

Established in 1963, the award honors the late Edward Lewis Wallant, author of “The Pawnbroker” and other books. It is presented annually to a Jewish writer, preferably unrecognized, whose published fiction has significance for American Jews.

Singer is a widely published and multi-award-winning author. Hall’s stories and essays have appeared in journals and anthologies, and she also has received honors for her work.

860-768-4964, mgcjs@hartford.edu or hartford.edu/wallant.

R.J. Julia Events

Free talks by authors will be held at 7 p.m. at R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road, Madison. Reservations are required: 203-245-3959 or rjjulia.com.

On Monday, April 30, sports and business reporter Zach Schonbrun will discuss “The Performance Cortex: How Neuroscience Is Redefining Athletic Genius.” His nonfiction book explains what brain and movement research is discovering about the skills of accomplished athletes, musicians, dancers and other performers.

On Tuesday, May 1, best-selling novelist Meg Wolitzer will discuss her latest and book, “The Female Persuasion,” which traces the life of a college student who becomes an acolyte of a famous feminist and finds her own place in the women’s movement.

On Wednesday, May 2, Jess Kidd will talk about her new novel,”Mr. Flood’s Last Resort,” which centers on a cheerful caretaker in London with a deeply sad past and her client, a grumpy elderly hoarder. When they begin cleaning out his home, more is found than decades worth of junk.

Wesleyan R.J. Julia, 413 Main St., Middletown, will host guest speaker Sam Drazin of Changing Perspectives, who will give a free talk on Friday, May 4, at 6 p.m.

Drazin has Treacher Collins Syndrome, a head and face deformity and hearing loss that required multiple surgeries, similar to the main character of R.J. Palacio’s novel, “Wonder,” the 2018 One Book on the Riverbend selection. Drazin is a teacher and founder of Changing Perspectives, a nonprofit that provides disability awareness programming. 860-685-3939.

Delicious Discussions

Jill Santopolo, author of the best-selling novel, “The Light We Lost,” will speak Thursday, May 3, at noon at a Delicious Discussion Author Series luncheon presented by Otis Library in Norwich and Bank Square Books of Mystic at Michael Jordan’s Steak House at Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville. The book follows a young couple through the twists and turns of a long relationship.

Santopolo has published three children’s and a young-adult series and is editorial director of Philomel Books

Tickets are $40 and include her talk, a signed copy and a buffet lunch. Pre-registration is required: banksquarebooks.com.

Online Memoir

Mary-Ann Tirone Smith, whose previous memoir, “Girls of Tender Age” is about growing up in Hartford’s South End with an autistic brother and the murder of a classmate, is posting a new memoir, “First, You Get Pissed,” about coping with breast cancer, on her website: mary-anntironesmith.com. Access is free.

New chapters will appear every Sunday, with a link to previous chapters. The gripping yet humorous story ranges from the joy of a second marriage to the difficulties of the medical challenges. She welcomes comments from readers.

Storyteller’s Cottage

The Storyteller’s Cottage, 750 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, presents literary events. On Thursday, May 3, at 7 p.m., poet Polly Brody will give a free reading from her books, “At the Flower’s Lip,” “Stirring Shadows” and “Lore.”

A Poetry Bistro Night on Friday May 4, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. will present local writers reading their poetry and short stories, with an open mic, in a café setting. Writers who wish to take par should email info@storytellerscottage.com. Cost: $5. storytellerscottage.com.

A Poet’s Eye

“Photographs From a Poet’s Eye: Pictures & Poems,” by Connecticut author Pegi Deitz Shea, will be launched with a free reception Friday, May 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tolland Arts Center, 22 Tolland Green, Tolland. The exhibit will continue through May 30 at the center on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2 to 5 p.m.

Reservations are requested by Tuesday, May 1, at pegideitzshea@aol.com. pegideitzshea.com

Bank Square Books

Bank Square Books, 53 W. Main St., Mystic, will present a book signing on Sunday, April 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. with Carl Johnson, author of “Life After Big Papi,” about the Red Sox’ first season after David Ortiz retired.

On Saturday, May 5, from 1 to 3 p.m., local author Joanne Soboslai, whose debut romantic novel is ‘Promise of a New Dawn,” will sign copies. banksquarebooks.com or 860-536-3795.

Ripper’s Vengeance

Steven M. Leshin, author of “Vengeance of the Ripper,” will give a free talk about the book and the history behind the story on Monday, April 30, at 7 p.m. at Manchester Library’s Whiton Auditorium, 100 N. Main St., Manchester. The novel, set in 1908 Los Angeles, involves Western lawman Wyatt Earp and London killer Jack the Ripper.

860-645-0821 or library.townofmanchester.org

“Frame Narrative”

On Wednesday, May 2, from 3 to 4 p.m. at University of Saint Joseph’s Mercy Hall, Crystal Room, 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, Dennis Barone, a professor of English and American Studies at the university, will give a free reading from his latest poetry collection, “Frame Narrative.” Barone has published fiction, poetry and literary studies. Reservations: rbayer@usj.edu or 860-231-5462.

Mystery Book Discussion

Carole Shmurak, of Farmington, will lead a free discussion on Wednesday, May 2, at 3 p.m., for the Wallingford Mystery Group: Native American Sleuths, Part 4, at Wallingford Public Library, 200 N. Main St., Wallingford. The book to be discussed is “The Girl with Braided Hair” by Margaret Coel. 203-265-6754.