Local literary journal The New Yinzer presents two readings with musical accompaniment in Lawrenceville and Garfield May 21 and 23.

The May 21 program at Modern Formations gallery, 4919 Penn Ave., Garfield, presents poet Renee Alberts, fiction writer Brendan Kerr and music by the Plat Maps. The show starts at 8 p.m.. Cost is $4 at the door.

The May 23 gathering moves down the street to the Brillo Box, 4104 Penn Ave., Lawrenceville, with poets Bob Pajich and Kelly Ramsey and memoir writer Lori Jakiela.

Groups the Maxi-Pads, Workshop, Lohio and Karl Hendricks provide the music. Cover is $5 for the 8 p.m. show.

Ralph Ashworth, an employee of Borders Books and Music at the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills, is the winner of the chain's fiction-writing contest held among its staffers nationwide for his novel, "The Killer of Orchids."

Borders' imprint will publish the book later this year.