Bob Denny discusses positive sports psychology tips and signs his book, “Happiness is Looking for You!” 2-6 p.m. today, West End Golf Course, 12830 W. Newberry Road. Refreshments served.

Denny’s positive-thinking and self-help articles appear regularly in The Gainesville Sun.

Literary events

Jane Austen Society: The last meeting before the summer season is a Readers Theater presentation of an abridged “Lady Susan,” 2-4 p.m. today, Tower Road Library, 3020 Tower Road.

Review “Lady Susan” with special emphasis on secondary sources regarding the economic and social restrictions on Regency-period women. Refreshments served. Bring your own tea cup.

Meet the author

Fitting Writing Into A Busy Schedule: Satchel Raye of Satchel’s Pizza shares how he finds time to write, 2:30-4 p.m. June 8, Millhopper Branch Library, 3145 NW 43rd St. Free. Hosted by the Writers Alliance of Gainesville.

Raye journals, blogs, and has written 63 stories that he prints on the backs of his menus in addition to running his restaurant, supporting community activities, painting, working with stained glass and participating in family life.

Raye was born in Alachua General Hospital in 1968, attended art school in Atlanta and earned an associate of arts degree from the University of Florida. After working off and on for Leonardo’s Pizza, he opened Satchel’s Pizza in 2003.

Book signing: K.E. Mullins, author of “The Friends and Family Connection: Get Unplugged” will be signing her book, 2-4 p.m July 19, at the Millhopper Library, 3145 NW 43rd St.

The book tells the story of a young woman’s transition to the workforce after being in the military. She quickly finds out the civilian sector is full of complications and trials.

Mullins is retired from the Navy and works as a Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor in Gainesville. She graduated from National University and the University of Central Florida. The Jacksonville native has enjoyed reading and writing since her early childhood.

In addition to writing poetry, Mullins also has performed in spoken word venues, including Urban Grind in Atlanta and Busboys and Poets in Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas.

Her novel can be purchased online from Barnes Noble, Amazon or Xlibris in paperback or e-book.

New releases

“Woodland Litter Critters ABC”: Gainesville authors Patience Mason and her husband, Robert, have published “Woodland Litter Critters ABC,” an illustrated ABC book for small children and their parents. Written by Patience Mason and illustrated by Robert Mason, the book uses unusual creatures to illustrate the alphabet.

Robert Mason, who designed the book, shot photos of the critters Patience Mason fashioned from acorns, leaves, twigs and thistles. The couple are University of Florida graduates.

The official release date for the book is July 1, but advance copies of the 8½-by-11-inch hardcover or paperback are now available on Amazon.com or local book stores.

Soon to be released is an interactive book for the iPad and Mac. A book giveaway on Goodreads can be found at www.goodreads.com/giveaway.

Patience Mason is the author of “Recovering From The War” (Viking/Penguin, 1990, and Patience Press, 1998). Robert Mason wrote the national best-seller “Chickenhawk,” a memoir about his tour as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam.

“Dreams of Perfection”: Gainesville resident and romance author Rebecca Heflin, the pen name for Dianne Farb, released her third novel, “Dreams of Perfection” (Soul Mate Publishing) recently. The book will be available for purchase as an e-book on Amazon.com through the Kindle Direct Publishing Select program as a promotional offer before it is released through book retailers.

“Dreams of Perfection” is the first of three anticipated novels in Heflin’s “Dreams Come True” series.

Farb is the author of two previous romance novels: “The Promise of Change” and “Rescuing Lacey.” She is currently writing the second book in the “Dreams Come True” series, “Ship of Dreams.”

“Harmonizer”: Gainesville author Daniel Blumberg has published his first book, “Harmonizer” (Createspace, $16.79 paperback, or $3.99 ebook on Amazon), the first in a five-book series.

“Harmonizer” tells the story of Dan Corden, who, after an earthquake destroys his military school, discovers a beautiful extraterrestrial buried underneath the rubble with him. Aelita Godhes frees them, sparking a series of international incidents.

Blumberg is an avid fan of anime, fantasy and science fiction. He also enjoys reading scientific research. He lives with his wife in Gainesville, where he has gained the rank of master of knowledge in the Santa Fe College Society For NERDS and takes part in a weekly champions role-playing game.

Blumberg graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He also has a State of Florida Law Enforcement Certificate.

“Buckingham County”: Patti Gallo, a former sheriff’s detective, has published a new mystery and detective novel, “Buckingham County” (Tate Publishing).

The book presents an interwoven story of seemingly separate events. Inside a holding cell at the U.S. Marshall’s Service, a homeless man awaits an appearance before a magistrate judge.

In Gainesville, a young attorney enters a federal courthouse expecting a routine appointment to represent an indigent man charged with bank robbery. In a small Florida Panhandle town, a beloved sheriff publicly protects the residents who have elected him into office and privately watches over a reclusive and mystical tribe of people.

The book is available at bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com.

Gallo, a former sheriff’s detective, is an investigator for a large law firm in North Central Florida.

“Doc Frog’s Physical Training Manual, Navy SEAL Fitness for Kids”: David B. Rutherford, a former Navy SEAL medic, has published “Doc Frog’s Physical Training Manual, Navy SEAL Fitness for Kids” (Kindle, iTunes, $11.99 online, $19.95 paperback) a physical training manual introducing young people to the world of physical fitness.

The book outlines a simple, yet sensible, training regime and offers information about embracing ones fears, building comprehensive self-confidence and living the team life.

The illustrations by Brian Kalt, a local artist, depict the super hero, Doc Frog, in various exercise techniques.

For more information, visit teamfroglogic.com/.

Meetings

Talking Service: A reading and discussion program for veterans, their family and friends meets 7-8:30 p.m. the third Monday of every month, Beltram Peace Center, 1236 NW 18th Ave. (376-0044 or smithdc2@bellsouth.net)

The Book Rack Book Club: Meets 3 p.m. the first Thursday of every month, The Book Rack, 4936 NW 39th Ave. (224-3945)

Gainesville Poets Writers: Meets 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Books-A-Million, 2601 NW 13th St.

Weekly Poetry Jam: Gainesville’s longest-running open poetry reading, 9 p.m. Thursdays, Civic Media Center, 433 S. Main St. (373-0010, CivicMediaCenter.org)

Writer’s Alliance of Gainesville: Anyone interested in the written word is welcome; see www.WritersAlliance.org for exact dates, Millhopper Branch Library, 3145 NW 43rd St. Free.

Tempting Reads Book Club: Group meets 6 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of every month. Newberry Branch Library, 110 S. Seaboard Drive, Newberry. Open to the public. (472-1135)