NICK BUTLER >> Discusses his novel “A Forty Year Kiss,” about a man who returns to Wisconsin and the woman he divorced. 1 p.m. Saturday, The Hook & Ladder, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Mpls., presented by Valley Bookseller of Stillwater. Tickets are $20 in advance. Go to thehookmpls.com/event/a-forty-year-kiss.

MARLENE JOHNSON >> Minnesota’s first female lieutenant governor signs copies of “Rise to the Challenge: A Memoir of Politics, Leadership and Love.” Noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Lake Country Booksellers, 4766 Washington Square, White Bear Lake.

KYLE LUKOFF >> Award-winning author celebrates his new middle-grade fantasy “A World Worth Saving,” which combines adventure, Jewish mythology and an examination of the impact of transphobia. 6 p.m. Wednesday, Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul.

JOSHUA MOEHLING >> Minnesotan Introduces “A Long Time Gone,” third in his Ben Packard series after “And There He Kept Her,” in conversation with Wendy Walker. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Wooden Hill Brewery, 742 Bush Lake Road, Edina.

YOUSSEF RAKHA >> Presents “The Dissenters” in conversation with Linda Mokdad. 7 p.m. Thursday, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S,. Mpls.

JUDY STERN >> Introduces “Gallery Days, Memories from the Artists’ Quarter in Historic Downtown Minneapolis.” 7 p.m. Thursday, Marine on St. Croix Village Hall, presented by Marine Community Library, Marine on St. Croix.

VANESSA L. TORRES >> Discusses “On the Wings of La Noche,” a fantasy novel set in Duluth about a lonely science girl who transforms at night to guide the dead. In conversation with Minnesotan Emily J. Taylor. 6 p.m. Thursday, Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul.

What else is going on

Minnesotans continue to make news in this season of big awards. Mindy Mejia’s novel “A World of Hurt” is a finalist for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar competition Sue Grafton Memorial Award. She says she’s “over the moon” about the honor. And Claire Wahmanholm’s poetry collection “Meltwater”(Milkweed Editions) is a finalist for the National Book Foundation’s Science + Literature award given to authors whose work highlights diverse voices in scientific writing and honors innovative works that expand our understanding of science, technology and our universe.