Novelist Dorothy Allison (Bastard Out of Carolina, Cavedweller, Trash) headlines Writers with Drinks this Saturday. She is an amazing live reader and you will be a better person for hearing and seeing her.

Also on the bill is “Mythbusters” star Adam Savage — not sure what he’ll be up to, but maybe he’ll be able to duplicate his goofy screen presence. Also appearing are science fiction author Steven Barnes, author Mary Miller, and Clint Catalyst.

Dreamboat Beth Lisick guest hosts. Writers with Drinks is Saturday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 pm at the Makeout Room on 22nd St. near Mission.

Novelist Dorothy Allison will appear at the Distinguished Writers Series at Cal State East Bay in Hayward at 7:00 pm. Click for more info and the exact location.

If you’ve never heard Allison read, she’s a knockout every time. I heard Allison read a few years ago at the Squaw Valley Writers Conference, where she is a regular workshop leader. She held the audience of 400 absolutely spellbound with her reading, and her other remarks were just as riveting, creating an intense, almost spiritual atmosphere.

The monthly Inside Story Time series hosted by James Warner also happens Thursday with Ayelet Waldman (Love and Other Impossible Pursuits), Kirk Read (How I Learned to Snap), Thaisa Frank (A Brief History of Camouflage), Jimmy Chen, and Jeff Kirschner. That’s at 6:30 pm at at Cafe Royale, 800 Post St. [map]. The monthly theme is “Subtle versus obvious.”