Photo by gp0256 from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

If great female writers is what you're after this week, you're in luck. Tonight you can catch the always entertaining and edgy poetry of Tara-Michelle Ziniuk (Emergency Contact) at The Art Bar Poetry Series. Rumour has it that she'll be publishing her next collection, tentatively titled Somewhere To Run From, with Tightrope Books in spring 2009. The writer, performer, and activist will be joined by Sharon Harris and Doug Valleau at Clinton's Tavern at 8 p.m.

You can also take in multiple appearances by Claudia Dey this week. Not only is the playwright launching her first novel on Wednesday night at The Gladstone Hotel, she's also being featured at the Free Speech Reading Series next Tuesday, a series that aims to highlight the tremendous amount of talent in Toronto's west end.

Next Monday Pages' This Is Not A Reading Series launches the long-awaited Toronto Noir, the latest addition to New York publisher Akashic Books' renowned Noir Series. Toronto joins Las Vegas, New Orleans, Chicago, Miami, D.C., and Detroit in the growing list of cities worthy of an anthology all its own.

WIth Toronto Noir, offbeat literary eccentric Nathaniel G Moore has done a brilliant job of collecting some of the finest writers around to produce a collection that celebrates the diverse filmic intrigue of Toronto's various communities. Among the strongest stories in the collection is Michael Redhill's "A Bout of Regret," set in the Distillery District, and with a fantastic twist ending that'll make any reader gasp. With "Stalling," Emily Schultz does a beautiful job of conveying the finer details of the city's beloved Parkdale neighbourhood, while RM Vaughan takes the noir genre in a brand new direction with "Brianna South," the tale of the shocking disappearance of seventeen-year-old starlet as told in her voice via a series of amazingly convincing diary entries. Toronto Noir is a worthy inclusion in an already outstanding series.

Come and celebrate the dark, mysterious side of Toronto at the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom on Monday night—editor Nathaniel G Moore will be joined by Eye Weekly's Damian Rogers and Sasha Van Bon Bon to host "Noir Confessions." Select anthology contributors will confess the most film noir-like things they've ever done. Everything gets underway at 7:30 p.m.

Full listings after the fold.

Toronto Literary Listings: April 22–30

Tuesday, April 22

The Art Bar Poetry Series presents Sharon Harris, Tara-Michelle Ziniuk and Doug Valleau. Clinton’s Tavern (693 Bloor Street West). 8 p.m. Free.

The Plasticine Poetry Series presents Jeff Cottrill, Carla Hartsfield, Jennifer Lovegrove and Sue Reynolds, plus an open mic. Hosted by Cathy Petch. The Central (603 Markham Street). 8 p.m. PWYC.

Wednesday, April 23

Launch of Daughter of War by Marsha Skrypuch. Another Story Books (315 Roncesvalles Avenue). 7:00 p.m. Free.

This Is Not A Reading Series presents Claudia Dey and the launch of her first novel, Stunt. Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West). 7:30 p.m. Free.

Thursday, April 24

Gaspereau Press Poetry Launch. Ben McNally Books (366 Bay Street). 6:00 p.m. Free.

Launch for Death in the Air by Shane Peacock. Nicholas Hoare Books (45 Front Street East). 6:00 p.m. Free.

Friday, April 25

I.V. Lounge Reading Series presents Christopher Doda, Penn Kemp and Nathan Whitlock. IV Lounge (326 Dundas Street West). 8:00 p.m. Free.

Monday, April 28

This Is Not A Reading Series presents the launch of Toronto Noir. Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West). 7:30 p.m. Free.

Tuesday, April 29

Free Speech Reading Series presents Claudia Dey. Tinto (89 Roncesvalles Avenue). 7:00 p.m. Free.

The Art Bar Poetry Series presents Karen Houle, Jerome Paul and Dave Margoshes. Clinton’s Tavern (693 Bloor Street West). 8 p.m. Free.