Entries for the 2017 Australian Catholic University (ACU) Prize for Poetry are open until July 3, with a $10,000 first prize for poetry with the theme "Joy". See: acu.edu.au/poetry-prize.

April 22: Canberra author Courtney Carr will be signing copies of her debut science fiction horror novel Cosmic Decay: Contamination at Paperchain Manuka at 11am.

April 24: Queanbeyan writer Omar Musa will launch his third book of poetry, Millefiori, at Smith's Alternative at 7pm. Tickets $10. smithsalternative.com.

April 23: In Writing While Female at Muse Canberra, some Canberra writers of life explore what it means to write as a woman. Featuring Jessica Friedmann, Lisa Fuller, Zoya Patel and Melinda Smith. Tickets $10 includes a drink.Bookings: musecanberra.com.au/events/.

April 26: Dympha by Judith Armstrong tells the story of the wife of historian Manning Clark. Armstrong will discuss her book in the National Library Conference Room at 6pm. Admission free. Nla.gov.au.

April 27: The Mysterious Mr Jacob: Diamond Merchant, Magician and Spy author John Zubrzycki will talk about his latest book at Asia Bookroom, Lawry Place, Macquarie (adjacent to the Jamison Centre) at 6pm. RSVP to 62515191. Entry by gold coin donation to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. See: AsiaBookroom.com.

April, 27: At 6.15pm for 7pm at the University House Common Room. Meet the Chef dinner with Valli Little who will be in conversation with Alex Sloan on Little's new book My Kind of Food. $85 per person for pre-dinner canapes, three course dinner with wines from Mount Majura Vineyard. Bookings at: http://unihouse.anu.edu.au/events/meet-the-chef-dinner-with-valli-little/

April 27: At 7 for 7pm, John Foulcher, Melinda Smith, and Hazel Hall are reading at Manning Clark House. $10.00 entry at door, wine and nibbles served. Contact 0478640169 for more information.

April 30: At Muse Canberra, in Question Time:Katy Gallagher find out if and how Katy Gallagher, the person is different from Senator Katy Gallagher, federal politician. Tickets $10 includes a drink.Bookings: musecanberra.com.au/events/.

May 4: In the lunchtime event The Long Table, Meg and Tom Keneally's The Unmourned will be launched at Muse Canberra at noon. Tickets $75 includes 90-minute two-course lunch and a copy of the book. musecanberra.com.au.

May 6: At 2pm at the National Archives of Australia, Professor Joan Beaumont's book Moving Beyond 1915 Remembrance will be launched for Peace Works! at the National Archives of Australia, Queen Victoria Terrace. There will be displays and events and free refreshments from 10am to 4pm..

May 6: Come for afternoon tea with Jenevieve Chang, author of The Good Girl of Chinatown: From suburban Sydney to Shanghai Show Girl at 2pm at Asia Bookroom, Lawry Place, Macquarie (adjacent to Jamison) RSVP to 62515191. Entry by gold coin donation to the Australian Childhood Foundation. See:AsiaBookroom.com

May 8: At 6.30pm, Manning Clark Lecture Theatre 2, ANU, in an ANU/The Canberra Times meet the author event, xo-founder and creative director of the Mama Mia Women's Network, Mia Freedman, will be in conversation with Genevieve Jacobs on Freedman's new book: Work, Strife, Balance. Free event. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144. Pre-book signings at 6pm.

May 10: The next Poetry at the House reading is at University House at 7.30 pm. It will feature Louise Nicholas (from Adelaide), Paul Cliff (from Canberra) and Victoria McGrath (from Yass). Admission: $10 waged, $5 unwaged. RSVP: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.

May 11: Still touching hearts: an evening with May Gibbs for the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature. Includes a presentation of original artwork to the Centre by Jane Brummitt, co-author of May Gibbs More than a Fairy Tale. 5.30-7pm at ALIA House, 9-11 Napier Close Deakin. $15 ($12 for CBCA members). RSVP by May 9: ncaclevent@yahoo.com.

May 13: Plotting Your Novel with Ian McHugh is a writing workshop from 10am to 4pm in the E-Block Seminar Room, Gorman Arts Centre. Cost: $145 members, $210 non-members (includes 12-month membership). Concession rates available. Bookings: bit.ly/ianmchugh.

May 29: At 6pm at the Copland Lecture Theatre, ANU in an ANU/ Canberra Times meet the author event, Robert Dessaix will be in conversation with Professor Nicholas Brown on Dessaix's new book, The Pleasures of Leisure. Free event. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144. Pre-book signings at 5:30 PM .

May 30: At 6.30pm in the Copland Lecture Theatre, ANU in an ANU/Canberra Times meet the author. Chloe Shorten will be in conversation with Anna-Maria Arabia on Shorten's new book, Take Heart: A Story for Modern Stepfamilies. Free event. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144. Pre-book signings at 6pm.

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

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