July 29: Dr Robyn Rowland AO is the featured poet at A Brush with Poetry in Binalong. Enjoy an eclectic mix of poetic styles and genres at the Black Swan Gallery and Wine Bar, cnr Stephen and Monteagle Streets. Free open mike, donations appreciated. 1.30 for 2pm. Info: 6227 4377.

July 29: At 2pm in the Conference Room, Level 4, National Library of Australia, in Winter Tales, Canberra Symphony Orchestra chief executive officer Sarah Kimball will share behind-the-scenes insights about the orchestra. $15 includes refreshments. nla.gov.au.

July 29: At Muse at 3pm, two historical novels will be launched, Robyn Cadwallader’s The Book of Colours and Eleanor Limprecht’s The Passengers. Tickets: $12 (includes a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink). musecanberra.com.au.

July 30: That Poetry Thing: Hilary Davidson (Sydney) and Harry Laing (Braidwood) $5 on the door, includes open mic. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St Canberra City, 7-9pm.

July 31: At Muse at 2pm will be a Mums’ afternoon tea with Jamila Rizvi, editor of The Motherhood, a collection of letters from some of Australia’s favourite women, sharing what they wish they’d known about life with a newborn. $50 (includes afternoon tea and a copy of the book). musecanberra.com.au.

July 31: Author Liam Pieper will reflect on researching and writing his revisionist historical novel Bittereinder, which explores the fate of Indigenous Australian soldiers who fought for the British in the Boer War in the Conference Room, Level 4, National Library of Australia at 5.15 for 5.30pm. Free. Bookings: nla.gov.au.

July 31: At Paperchain Manuka at 6pm will be the launch of White Woman Black Heart: Journey Home to Old Mapoon, a Memoir by Barbara Miller. RSVP info@paperchainbookstore.com.au or phone 6295 6723.

August 1: At 6pm in the Copland Lecture Theatre, ANU, in a free ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event, Professor Lisa Harvey Smith will be talking about her new book, When Galaxies Collide, a fascinating insight into astronomy and the night sky. The event will be introduced by ANU Vice Chancellor, Professor Brian Schmidt. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

August 2: At Paperchain Manuka at 6pm will be the launch of Convicted by Peter Bradley, a history of Australia retold through the lives of Bradley's three ancestors: a father, son and grandson.RSVP info@paperchainbookstore.com.au or phone 6295 6723

August 4: At Muse from 1.30 to 4pm will be a literary nonfiction workshop with Maria Tumarkin. Cost $75. musecanberra.com.au.

August 4: At 3pm at The Hunting Lodge, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, will be Literary Lounge: Dystopia, with author Briohny Doyle, who draws on TAC’s 2018 annual theme "entropy" to discuss the challenges of our current moment and our imminent future. Tickets $10 from trybooking.com/book/event?eid=382429&.

August 5: At Muse at 3pm, Griffith Review 61: Who We Are co-editor Peter Mares and contributors Maria Tumarkin and David Hansen will talk about multiculturalism in Australia and related issues. $12 (includes a drink). musecanberra.com.au.

August 6: That Poetry Thing: Niloofar Fanaiyan (Israel) and Anita Patel (Canberra) $5 on the door, includes open mic. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St Canberra City, 7-9pm.

August 8: at 6.30pm in the Molonglo Lecture Theatre, Crawford Building, ANU in a free ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event, George Megalogenis will be in conversation with Professor Frank Bongiorno on Megalogenis’'s new book, The Football Solution, about how Richmond found a way to win and Australia might do the same. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

August 9: At 6pm in the China in the World Auditorium, ANU in a free ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event, Ellen Broad will be in conversation with Professor Genevieve Bell on Broad’s new book, Made by Humans. The AI condition, which explores our digital future. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

August 9: At 6 for 6.30pm at Harry Hartog Bookseller Westfield Woden, meet fantasy author Sam Hawke in conversation as she presents her first novel City of Lies. Free, light refreshments provided. RSVP: 6232 5832 or woden@harryhartog.com.au

August 11: Wyrd, a fantasy novel for young readers by Cate Whittle, will be launched at Harry Hartog Westfield Woden at 11am. Admission free.

August 12: The National Library of Australia is celebrating its 50th birthday with an Open Day including a party on the podium, live music, snacks and, of course, balloons and cake as well as behind the scenes tours. Free. nla.gov.au.

August 12: At Muse at 3pm, Peter Cochrane will discuss his book Best We Forget, about how the racial preoccupations that shaped Australia’s preparation for and commitment to World War I have been lost to popular memory. $12 (includes a drink). musecanberra.com.au.

August 13: That Poetry Thing: Mother Tongue Multilingual Poetry Night. Sign up to present a poem in a language other than English: email mothertonguemic@gmail.com. $5 at the door, free to readers signed up in advance. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St Canberra City, 7-9pm.

August 19: At Muse Canberra at 2pm, Zoya Patel’s memoir No Country Woman, about never knowing where you belong, will be launched. Free. Bookings essential. musecanberra.com.au.

August 20: That Poetry Thing: Not Very Quiet presents Merlinda Bobis who will perform her poetry in two segments broken by an open mic session (put your name on the board to read one poem focused on the environment). $5 entry, open mic. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St Canberra City, 7-9pm.

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