Author events, Sept. 4-10

DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Matthew Griffin, "Hide," and Libby Ware, "Lum." Noon Sept. 4. Talk, signing. Free. Old Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. 404-373-1088, decaturbookfestival.com/sessions/view/57606bc2a939303b35e529c6. "Hide" follows two gay men living for decades in seclusion in rural North Carolina. In "Lum," an intersex woman in 1930s Virginia finds unexpected opportunities in the building of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tray Butler moderates.

Melissa Fay Greene, "The Underdogs: Children, Dogs and the Power of Unconditional Love." 1:15 p.m. Sept. 4. Talk, signing. Free. First Baptist Sanctuary, 308 Clairmont Ave., Decatur. 404-373-1653, decaturbookfestival.com/sessions/view/571e60c3f71963ad67660cc7. Greene ("No Biking in the House Without a Helmet") shares stories of dogs bringing new levels of engagement to children with disabilities and their families. Introduction by Kate Tuttle.

Ted Geltner, "Blood, Bone, and Marrow." 3:45 p.m. Sept. 4. Talk, signing. Free. Old Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. 404-373-1088, decaturbookfestival.com/sessions/view/57606bc2a939303b35e529c0. Geltner tells the story of Harry Crews, who emerged from a South Georgia tenant farm to write classics like "A Feast of Snakes" and "A Childhood." Interviewed by Jessica Handler.

Thomas Mullen, "Dark Town." 3:45 p.m. Sept. 4. Talk, signing. Free. Decatur Presbyterian Sanctuary, 205 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-378-1777, decaturbookfestival.com/sessions/view/57606bbca939303b35e52896. Mullen's procedural, set in 1948, explores the challenges met by the first black officers in the Atlanta Police Department. Interviewed by Jeff Calder.

OTHER EVENTS

Steve Spurrier, "Head Ball Coach: My Life in Football, Doing It Differently — and Winning." 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7. Free. Signing. Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. 678-812-4000, atlantajcc.org. One of college football's most colorful characters shares his story.

Nancy Mitchell, "Jimmy Carter in Africa." 7 p.m. Sept. 7. Lecture, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events. Mitchell offers a re-evaluation of Carter and his administration.

Beatrice Perry Soublet. 8 p.m. Sept. 8. Poetry reading. $5. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-872-5338, Ext. 228; callanwolde.org/event/poetry-reading-with-two-guest-poets-6. Soublet ("Always Bring Your Sunglasses") is the author of five books of poetry.

Gayle Forman, "Leave Me." 7 p.m. Sept. 9. Talk, signing. $10. Margaret Mitchell House, 979 Crescent Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-249-7015, atlantahistorycenter.com/mmh. Forman's first adult novel asks tough questions about the demands of modern motherhood.

Tantrum #2: More Tales About Parenting Adventures, with Chris Alonzo, Alayna Huft-Tucker and Elizabeth Lenhard. 7 p.m. Sept. 10. Storytelling. Free. Kavarna, 707 East Lake Drive., Decatur. 404-371-1113, tantrumatl.com/events-1. Also: 9:30 p.m. Sept. 10. Dance party. Free. Noni's. 357 Edgewood Ave S.E., Atlanta. 404-343-1808, nonisdeli.com. WABE's Kate Sweeney helms this series on parenting highs and lows.