Litbits June 18

The festival will take place over the weekend of September 9 to 11 with guests including Darleen Bungey, who will talk about her two award-winning biographies of the artists John Olson and Arthur Boyd. batemansbaywritersfestival.com.

POETRY PRIZES

The International Poetry Studies Institute (IPSI) is administering three major poetry prizes. The University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor's International Poetry Prize closes June 30: canberra.edu.au/vcpoetryprize. The University of Canberra Health Poetry Prize (theme: Living Life Well) closes June 30: canberra.edu.au/about-uc/competitions-and-awards/health-poetry-prize. The Young Poets Awards close August 15: canberra.edu.au/young-poets-awards.

What's on

June 19: At 3pm, Hugh Mackay will discuss his new book Beyond Belief, about an increasingly secular Australia's search for meaning, with Alex Sloan at Muse Canberra. Admission $10 includes a drink. musecanberra.com.au.

June 19: Kerrie Nelson will launch Ink to Paper, Canberra's Limestone Tanka Poets' second anthology, at 5pm at Smith's Alternative. It's edited and collated by poet Kathy Kituai and illustrated by artist Deborah Faeyrglenn. Contact Kathy Kituai on kkituai@gmail.com if you wish to attend or to obtain a copy.

June 19: ArtSound FM radio's Winter Solstice Book and Music Fair will be held from 9am to 4pm with books, CDs, DVDs and vinyl. Authors Dorothy Johnston (Through the Eye of a Camel) and Diana Thompson (Winterflood's Passion) will be there from noon with their latest books for sales and signings. Manuka Arts Centre, corner of Manuka Circle and NSW Crescent (next door to Manuka Pool). artsound.fm or 6295 7444.

June 25: The ACT Storytellers Guild is presenting A Room in June, an evening of stories with music by the Canberra Harmony Chorus at 7pm at the St James Uniting Church Hall, Gillies Street Curtin. Stories are suitable for adults and older children. Cost $15 including refreshments. Contact: Vonny on 62588102; actstorytellersblogspot.com.

July1-July 2: True Biographies of Nations: Exploring the Cultural Journeys Conference is on at in the National Library of Australia Theatre, Lower Ground 1 from 8.30am to 3pm. The conference will begin with a reception on June 30 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of volume one of the Australian Dictionary of Biography. The next two days will consist of papers and panels relating to national dictionary projects. Two day: $120 ($70 concession), daily rate: $60 ($35 concession). Enquiries: 6125 2676. nla.gov.au.

July 3: The Fighter is Arnold Zable's account of champion boxer Henry Nissen, now a dock worker and supporter of the disaffected. He'll talk with Louise Maher at Muse Canberra at 3pm. $10 includes a drink. musecanberra.com.au.

July 6: Winter Storytime in the Ferguson Room, Level 1, National Library of Australia at 11.30am features some yarns from the library's collection. $2 a child. Children must be accompanied by an adult. nla.gov.au.

July 14: At 6pm in a free event at the National Library of Australia theatre, playwright Alana Valentine (Letters to Lindy) discusses turning letters and ledgers into drama, transporting our history into the artistry of universal emotional resonance. nla.gov.au.

July 29: A Poets' Archive: Peter Porter's Creative Legacy Conference is on from 9.30am to 5pm in the National Library of Australia theatre, Lower Ground 1. Admission $25 includes collection viewing and light refreshments. nla.gov.au.

August 10: At 6pm in the National Library of Australia Theatre, Lower Ground 1, meet the author of Wild, Brave Enough and Tiny, Beautiful Things as she discusses her epic journey and how it changed her life. $20 (includes refreshments and book signing). nla.gov.au.

August 15: At 6pm in the National Library of Australia Theatre, Liane Moriarty, talks about her novel, Truly Madly Guilty, $15 nla.gov,au.

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