By ANNE MANCUSO

2011 NEW YORKER FESTIVAL (Friday through Sunday) Some say talk is cheap, and it will at least be reasonably priced for a good number of the talks, panel discussions and other events that are part of the annual cultural festival sponsored by The New Yorker at locations around New York City. All things literary is the focus: a plethora of authors, including, above, Joyce Carol Oates and Jonathan Franzen, and, below, Junot Díaz, will take part in discussions with titles like “The Dark Side,” “Writing About America” and “The Reliable Narrator.” But there will also be screenings, a brunch and conversations on myriad topics with actors like Ralph Fiennes, Steve Martin and Edie Falco. Musicians and singers like Barbara Cook and the National will perform and take part in interviews. Although events may be listed as sold out on the Web site, some tickets are still available to each. Those can be bought on Friday from noon to 4 p.m. at the SVA Theater, 333 West 23rd Street, Chelsea. (A limited number of tickets to many offerings can also be purchased on the day of the event at its location.) And, for those who prefer to observe while sitting at home, some conversations will be streamed live online via FORA.tv for $9.95 a program. For a schedule and ticket prices, newyorker.com/festival; for online information, FORA.tv. The Talk of the Town is the talk of the town. (Anne Mancuso)