March 25: Enjoy A Brush with Poetry in the historic Black Swan Gallery, Stephen Street, Binalong. MCs Robyn Sykes and Gregory Piko present a mix of poetic styles and genres. Free open mike event. Donations appreciated. 1.30pm for 2pm. Information: 0401 289 178.

March 26: That Poetry Thing: Martin Dolan and Kerrie Nelson. Two poets with books out this year from Recent Work Press will share their new work. Includes open mic. $5 on the door. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic, 7pm to 9pm

March 27: At 6pm in the China in the World auditorium, Fellows Lane, ANU, in a free ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event, author and historian Mark McKenna will be talking about his new Quarterly Essay, Truth Telling and Australia's Future, which reflects that Australia is on the brink of momentous change, but only if its citizens can come to new terms with the past. Bookings: anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144

April 2: That Poetry Thing: Geoff Page. Canberran (and Australian) poetry institution Geoff Page reads his poems and is interviewed live by poet Martin Dolan. $5 on the door, includes open mic. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic, 7-9pm.

April 4: At 6pm in the Molonglo Theatre, Level 2, JG Crawford Building 132, Lennox Crossing, ANU, in a free ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event in association with the National Security College ANU, Clive Hamilton will be in conversation with Rory Medcalf on Hamilton's new book, Silent Invasion. China's Influence in Australia. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

April 8: Canberra naturalist Ian Fraser will be in conversation with Genevieve Jacobs about his new book Birds in Their Habitats at Muse at 3pm. $12 includes a drink. musecanberra.com.au.

April 9: That Poetry Thing: Melbourne poet Philllip Hall launches his latest collection, Fume (UWAP), while Queensland's Simon Kindt presents his poetry, video and musical interlude 'poseidon // the sharks'. Free entry. No open mic. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic, 7-9pm.

April 12: At 6pm in the China in the World auditorium. Fellows Lane, ANU, in a free ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event. Jennifer Rayner will be in conversation with Frank Bongiorno on Rayner's new book, Blue-collar Frayed. What's not working for Australian Men. Book signings before and after the event. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

April 15: Kerry Sackville will discuss her book Out There: A survival guide for dating in midlife with Amanda Whitley at Muse at 3pm. $12 includes a drink. musecanberra.com.au.

April 16: Not Very Quiet Journal Presents: Women's Voices for Refugees - Poetry Fund Raiser for Canberra Refugee Support. Bring poems to share on exile, expatriation, border crossings, transposition & assimilation. $5 entry, Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St Canberra City, 7-9pm

April 18: Holly Ringland will discuss her novel The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart with Robyn Cadwallader at Muse at 5.30pm. $12 includes a drink. musecanberra.com.au.

April 23: That Poetry Thing: Paul Cliff and Moya Pacey. Two respected Canberra poets share work from their recent and upcoming collections. $5 on the door, includes open mic. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic, 7-9pm

April 26: At 6pm in the China in the World auditorium, Fellows Lane, ANU, in a free ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event Robyn Cadwallader will be in conversation with HarperCollins head of fiction publishing Catherine Milne, on Cadwallader's new novel Book of Colours, set in 14th-century London, about power and the place of women in the world. Book signings before and after the event. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

April 30: That Poetry Thing: Local and BAD!SLAM!NO!BISCUIT! convenor Andrew Galan combines with Thirroul's Gabrielle Journey Jones for an evening of slam-influenced poetry and performance at its finest. $5 on the door, includes open mic. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic, 7-9pm