Author Jenny Bond's Basics of Creative Writing and freelance writer Chris Sheedy's Masterclass: Writing for Newspapers, Magazines and Online courses debuted to heady praise last month. Don't miss the October courses. Both are single-day classes held at Tuggeranong Arts Centre on October 17 and 24. Find out more at www.thehardword.com.au .

Family history

On October 17 from 10am to 4pm Hazel Edwards will conduct a workshop on how to create a memorable, engaging family history. Cost: $125 members, $90 concessional members, $190 non-members (includes 12 months of membership), $140 concessional non-members (includes 12 months of membership) E Block Seminar Room, Gorman Arts Centre (formerly ACT Writers Centre workshop room). See: actwriters.org.au/events/upcoming-workshops-events.shtml#hazeledwards.

Creative business

On October 18 from 10am to 4pm Hazel Edwards will conduct a session for aspiring and published writers, biographers, illustrators and those who have a professional attitude towards the publishing of their books and ideas. Same cost and booking details as previous entry.

What's on

October 11: The Imaginarium Family Day at the National Library of Australia from 1 to 4pm features interactive demonstrations, paper planes with the Paper Pilots, exploring riddles with David Astle, children's authors Pauline Deeves, Stephanie Owen Reeder and Tania McCartney, and more. Free, no bookings required. See: nla.gov.au/event/imaginarium-family-day.

October 11: A free Italian poetry reading featuring poems in Italian, Italian dialects and/or English is on at Manning Clark House, 11 Tasmania Circle. Forrest, from 2 to 3.30pm.

October 11: The Canberra launch of In Yer Face: The Bald Archy Prize by Peter Batey and Fran Henke, about the satirical art award, will be held at Paperchain Bookstore Manuka at 2.45 for 3pm. RSVP: 6295 6723.

October 12: David Astle will talk about his book Riddledom: 101 Riddles and Their Stories at the National Library of Australia at 6pm. Conference Room, Foyer, Level 4. Cost: $10. See: nla.gov.au/event/author-talk-david-astle.

October 13: Reading at Poetry at the Gods are Melbourne poets Peter Bakowski and Anne Elvey. The Gods Cafe is in the ANU Arts Centre. Admission $10 waged, $5 unwaged, Light meals from 6pm, readings at 7.30pm. Bookings: 62485538.

October 13: Ramona Koval will discuss her memoir Bloodhound: Searching For My Father, about her search for the truths behind her parents' troubled past, at Muse, Ground Floor, East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston at 7.30pm. Admission $10 include a drink. See: musecanberra.com.au.

October 14: Former Chairman and Managing Director of the ABC, David Hill will speak on his new book, Australian and the Monarchy at Manning Clark 3, ANU at 6.30pm. Free. Bookings 6125 8415.

October 25: Charlotte Wood will be in conversation at Muse, East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston at 3.30pm about her novel The Natural Way of Things, an exploration of contemporary misogyny and corporate control. Admission $10 includes a drink. See: musecanberra.com.au.

October 25: WINEPRESS: a conversation about reading, writing, and ideas, with Robyn Cadwallader, Biff Ward and Nigel Featherstone, with Evol McLeod as MC is on from 5 to 6.30pm at Eden Road Winery, 3182 Barton Highway, Murrumbateman. Free but RSVP by October 23 to projects@starts.com.au.

October 30: Kerry O'Brien will be in conversation with Lenore Taylor on O'Brien's new book Keating at a Literary Dinner at University House, ANU. 6.15pm, pre-signings for 7pm dinner. $62. Bookings: 6125 8415.

* Contributions to Litbits are welcome. Please email litbits@canberratimes.com.au by COB on the Monday prior to publication. Publication is not guaranteed.