The region's literary life is starting to pop back up like those brave green shoots in the thawed landscape. The rest of March is busy with readings and author appearances, headed by the return of Pittsburgh native James Ragan March 22.

Mr. Ragan graduated from St. Vincent College in 1966 and moved to California, where he directed the professional writing program at the University of Southern California for 25 years.

He's also an award-winning poet with seven published collections who has read his poetry in international programs around the world. Mr. Ragan is also a playwright and screenwriter.

Bowling Green University has named him distinguished visiting professor in poetry for its spring term.

The schedule of events:

Sunday: Jan Beatty, director of the creative writing program at Carlow University, reads her poetry at the Father Ryan Arts Center, 420 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks, at 7 p.m. Tickets: $10. 412-298-7373.

Monday: James McGrath Morris, author of "Pulitzer: A Life in Politics, Print and Power," will sign and discuss his new book at 7:30 p.m. at the Penguin Bookshop, 420 Beaver St., Sewickley. 412-741-3838.

Wednesday: Discussion on new uses of the former Allegheny Regional Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will be at 6:30 p.m. at the New Hazlett Theater, Allegheny Square, North Side. 412-320-4610.

The New Yinzer presents readings by Adam Kavulic, Terry Hawkins, Robert Isenberg and Crystal Hoffman, 8 p.m. at Modern Formations Gallery, 4919 Penn Ave., Garfield. $5 cover at door.

March 22: Poet James Ragan holds a free reading at the Power Center Ballroom on the Duquesne University campus at 5 p.m.

March 23: Philadelphian Lisa Scottoline promotes her new crime novel, "Think Twice," at 7 p.m. at the Oakmont Public Library. Cost is $5 without book purchase. Mystery Lovers Bookshop is the sponsor. 412-828-4788.

March 26: Jeffrey Siger, attorney-turned-crime fiction writer, promotes his new book, "Assassins of Athens," at 7 p.m. at Mystery Lovers Bookshop, Oakmont. 412-828-4788.

March 27: Crime novelist Alafair Burke promotes her latest, "212," at 10 a.m. at Mystery Lovers Bookshop, Oakmont. 412-828-4788.

March 31: Open Thread celebrates publication of its Regional Review anthology, with readings at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, 6300 Shady Ave., Shadyside, at 7 p.m. Details at www.openthread.org.

Carnegie Mellon University's visiting Writers Series presents nonfiction writer Lori Jakiela, author of the 2006 "Miss New York Has Everything," in a free program at 4:30 p.m. at Room 260 Baker Hall on campus.

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