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State Sen. Tom Hayden will discuss his book, “The Lost Gospel of the Earth,” at the S. Mark Taper Foundation Amphitheatre in Coldwater Canyon Park, 12601 Mulholland Drive, Sunday at 7 p.m. Sponsored by TreePeople and the Actors Conservatory Ensemble, the program is part of the Green Series of environmentally themed speakers and readings. Those attending are encouraged to take a picnic dinner and enjoy live music beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. (888) 922-3846.

Author Kris Neri will discuss her book, “Revenge of the Gypsy Queen,” and lead a workshop on “How to Get Your First Mystery Novel Published” tonight at 7 at Bookstar, 21440 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. Neri is past president of the Los Angeles chapter of Sisters in Crime and a member of the American Crime Writers League and Mystery Writers of America. (818) 702-9515.

Exile Books & Music, 14925 Magnolia Blvd., Sherman Oaks, will present “Songwriters in the Round,” featuring tunesmiths Matthew Lee, James Coberly Smith, Severin Browne and Amilia Spicer, tonight at 8. $5 cover. Matthew Niblock and Friends take the stage Saturday for an evening of spoken word and music. $5 cover. Valley Contemporary Poets will read Sunday at 3 p.m. No cover. (818) 986-6409.

Psychologist and author Nathaniel Branden will discuss his book “A Woman’s Self-Esteem,” Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 16461 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Branden, the author of several books on self-esteem, is a former disciple of “The Fountainhead” author and objectivist Ayn Rand. Also, author Robyn Todd will discuss her book “How to Survive Your Boyfriend’s Divorce,” a guide for women dating separated men, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (818) 380-1636.