"The Immigration Stakes: How Do We Keep the World's Best Brains in Pittsburgh?" is the question three writers will address Thursday in an American Shorts Program.

Appearing at 7 p.m. at the WYEP Broadcast Center, 67 Bedford Square, South Side, will be:

David Laskin, author of "The Long Way Home: An American Journey From Ellis Island to The Great War," published in March;

Khet Mar, Burmese novelist and short-story writer currently in residence at City of Asylum/Pittsburgh;

Silvia Duarte, former editor of a Sunday newspaper in her native Guatemala and managing editor of Sampsonia Way, City of Asylum's online literary magazine.

The evening also includes music by Pete Spynda of Pandemic and the documentary, "Immersion," about immigration.

Tickets are $10. Call Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures: 412-622-8866.

"The Paris of Appalachia: Pittsburgh in the 21st Century" by Post-Gazette columnist Brian O'Neill, a collection of Mr. O'Neill's observations on Pittsburgh, is now the best-selling book in the history of the Carnegie Mellon University Press.

Released in the fall, Mr. O'Neill's book has sold more than 7,000 copies, said press spokeswoman Shilo Raube.

"Brian is a publisher's dream," press director Gerald Costanzo said. "He knew instinctively how to help market the book -- by taking it directly to people at readings, signings and other community events."

Harry Dolan, author of the mayhem-filled "Bad Things Happen" (Berkley, $15 paper) drops by the Mystery Lovers Bookshop, 514 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont, Saturday at 10 a.m.

It's the store's Coffee and Crime Series and costs $5. Reservations required at 412-828-4877.

Judith Robinson, Rosaly DeMaios Roffman, Richard St. John and Walt Peterson offer selections from their poetry Tuesday at Hemingway's Cafe, 3911 Forbes Ave., Oakland.

It's free and starts at 8 p.m.

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