MICHAEL SWAN: UPCOMING BOOK AND SPOKEN WORD EVENTS >>

Tacoma’s poetry and spoken-word community has been steadily growing in both participants and the quality of their material over the past few years. Here are a few events this week to jot down in your calendar:

King’s Books Downtown Tacoma. Distinguished Writer series and Open Mic with featured poet Lois P. Jones, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. (218 St. Helens Ave., 253.272.8801).

Peninsula Library Gig Harbor. Poetry reading by Tom Crawford, Sept. 10 7 pm. Poetry workshop by Tom Crawford, Sept. 12, 6 p.m. (4424 Point Fosdick Dr. N.W., 253.851.3793).

Speak Your Soul Downtown Tacoma. Poetry Open Mic hosted by Gwendolyn Faye, with featured poet "Q", Sept. 11, 8 p.m., free (Vinum Coffee & Wine Lounge, 1001 Pacific Ave., 253.572.8215).

Here are a couple upcoming book-related events:

Banned Book Club Tacoma. This months pick: Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause Sept. 15 7 p.m., free, must be 21 to enter venue (Tempest Lounge, 913 Martin Luther King Way, 253.272.4904).

Comic Evolution Puyallup. Claudio Sanchez, lead singer for Coheed and Cambria, will sign his newest comic book, Kill Audio, Sept. 16 4:30-6 p.m. (206 S. Meridian, 253.770.6464).

Graphic Novel Book Club Tacoma. Graphic novel enthusiasts discuss Heartbreak Soup by Gilbert Hernandez, Sept. 14 p.m., free, must be 21 to enter venue (Tentwentytwo South Lounge, 1022 S. J St., 253.627.8588).