Sexually charged, feminist pirate poetry: at last, a literary event with something for everyone. Renowned Calgary poets Brea Burton and Jill Hartman team up in Booty: Hurricane Jane and Typhoon Mary, a subversive poetry collection that rides the tides of language. Help them launch the good ship Booty at Pages Books (1135 Kensington Rd. N.W.) on November 29, 7:30 p.m.

Sandra Vida has worked in visual art, film, performance and video for more than 30 years, bringing her unique vision to Calgary’s cultural landscape. Now, celebrating her vibrant career, EMMEDIA has published SANDRA VIDA: vision and voice, a retrospective catalogue of her work including artist statements and essays about each project. The book launches alongside her newest multimedia installation, THREADS, at EMMEDIA (203-351 11 Ave. S.W.) on November 29, 7:30 p.m.

The Calgary Poetry Slam returns, with some high stakes. Ten poets take the stage to perform their most vivid and energetic three-minute poems, vying for a cash prize, a spot on the 2008 Calgary Slam Team and the chance to compete in the 2008 CBC Poetry Face-Off. Hosted by the 2007 team — Shone Abet, Möe Clark, Kirk Ramdath and Sabo — it promises to be a dynamic night of poetic rivalry. If you want to Slam, show up early with three poems to claim your spot. If competition isn’t your thing, the evening starts with an open mic. The action goes down at the Auburn Saloon (163-115 9 Ave. S.E.) on November 29, 8 p.m., $5.

Anti-capitalist, schizophrenic Google poetry: another collection with something for everyone. Powerhouse local poet ryan fitzpatrick’s debut poetry collection, FAKE MATH, challenges profit structures in the North American consumer wasteland, inspired by everyone from Marx to Freud, Snoop Dogg to Spongebob. FAKE MATH launches at birds and stone (204 16 Ave. N.W., in the basement of the Unitarian Church of Calgary) on November 30, 7:30 p.m.

Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal, Puff. Now, original co-writers Leonard Lipton and Peter Yarrow have released a brand-new, fully illustrated book version of Puff the Magic Dragon, including a four-song CD. To celebrate, McNally Robinson (120 8 Ave. S.W.) is holding a Puff-themed afternoon of fun for kids, ages three and up, on December 1, 1:30 p.m.

Eugene Stickland’s weekly literary salon, Works in Progress, keeps on chugging after a brief, football-related hiatus. Anyone interested in the writing life, head down to Juilliard Restaurant and Lounge (105-237 8 Ave. S.E.) any Sunday evening at 7 p.m. for an intimate writerly discussion. The next event takes place on December 2.

It’s time again for Calgary’s raunchiest open mic poetry night. Red Mile Revenge, along with dynamic host Selina Clary, returns to Tubby Dog (1022 17 Ave. S.W.) on December 4, 8 p.m.

The Unsung Heroes Peer Support Group, part of the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta, is a network for those diagnosed with schizophrenia. As part of its ongoing awareness program, it has assembled a poster book, Schizophrenia/Hearing (our) Voices: Dilemmas of Care and Control, launching at Pages Books on December 4, 7:30 p.m.

After some health-related delays, former prime minister Jean Chrétien visits Calgary to sign copies of his new book, My Years as Prime Minister, a memoir of his 10 years at Sussex Drive. He appears at the Memorial Park Library (1221 2 St. S.W.) on December 5, 7 p.m.

Speaking of the Memorial Park Library, its writer-in-residence, Rona Altrows, heads to McNally Robinson this week to sign copies of her short story collection, A Run on Hose. At the same time, Beverly Remmer will also be signing copies of her young adult novel, Dragon of Greywood, a time-travelling journey through England’s past. They’ll both be on hand at McNally Robinson on December 5, noon.

The flywheel reading series breaks new ground this month, with its first ever multilingual showcase. Featuring authors who work in languages other than English or French, it promises to expose a whole new layer of Calgary’s literary scene. Hosted by Emily Elder, Bronwyn Haslam and Natalie Zina Walschots, flywheel takes over McNally Robinson on December 6, 7 p.m.

With the recent onslaught of book launches, it’s been nigh-impossible to attend them all. But fear not — local authors derek beaulieu, Brea Burton, Glen Dresser, ryan fitzpatrick, Diane Guichon, Jill Hartman, Cara Hedley, Claire Huot, Robert Majzels, Riley Rossmo, William Neil Scott and Natalie Zina Walschots unite next week for the Calgary Extravaganza, a massive multi-launch at Lunchbox Theatre (second level, Bow Valley Square) on December 8, 7 p.m.