March 23: Poetry at the Mill: Melinda Smith, Harry Laing and Nicola Bowery read poetry in the historic Mill, Millpond Farm via Braidwood. $15 includes refreshments; 2pm-4pm. 664 Majors Creek Rd, Jembaicumbene, NSW.

March 25: That Poetry Thing: Owen Bullock (ACT) + Les Wicks (NSW). Launch of Bullock's collection, Summer Haiku, and a reading from Wicks, known for versatility on stage and page. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St Civic, 7-9pm. Free entry. No open mic.

March 27: Natasha Stott Despoja in conversation with Lieutenant General David Morrison on her new book, On Violence. 6pm. Large Theatre, Kambri Cultural Centre. Vote of thanks by ANU Vice Chancellor, Professor Brian Schmidt. anu.edu.au/events.

March 28: Poetry at Manning Clark House with Michael Thorley, Lesley Lebcowicz and Melinda Smith. 11 Tasmania Circuit, Forrest, at 7.30pm. $10 entry, nibbles and wine included.

March 30: Two of Australia’s highly regarded creative talents have joined forces to collaborate on a unique album of songs, Whose Broken Is This?, to be launched alongside a book of poetry of the same name at Beyond Q Books.  Poet John Passant has collaborated with singer/songwriter Milena Cifali to set Passant's poetry to music, with the album incorporating a number of readings by him. 4.30-6.30pm, Beyond Q Books, 11 Brierly Street, Weston Creek. Free. Bookings are advised as seating is limited. CD and book will be available for sale at the launch.

March 31: First Brush with Poetry for 2019. Enjoy coffee, cake and conversation sprinkled with metaphors and sometimes music. Hear contemporary and traditional voices. Relax in the ambience of the historic Café on Queen, nestled on the banks of the Balgalal Creek. 15 Queen St, Binalong. Free open mic event. 1.30 for 2pm. Info: 0401 289 178.

April 1: That Poetry Thing: Mel Ree + Kit Kelen (both NSW). Ree is an actor and performer, Kelen a painter and recovering academic. Both are poets! Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St Civic, 7-9pm. Entry $10 waged/ $5 unwaged. Includes open mic.

April 3: In a free ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event, Michelle Grattan and Peter Martin will be speaking at the national launch of the MUP/The Conversation book Advancing Australia: Ideas for a Better Country, an essential primer before the 2019 election. At 6pm in the Coombs Lecture Theatre, Fellows Road. ANU. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

April 9:   In a free ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event, Rebecca Huntley will be in conversation with Andrew Leigh on Rebecca’s new Quarterly Essay: Australia Fair, Listening to the Nation, which asks what do Australians want most from their next government? At 6pm in the Small Theatre, Kambri Cultural Centre. ANU. Bookings atanu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

April 10: Poetry at the House features Brendan Ryan (Geelong), Hazel Hall (Canberra) and Nicola Bowery (Braidwood). Admission: $10 waged, $5 unwaged, collected before reading starts at 7.30pm in the Fellows’ Bar of ANU’s University House (1 Balmain Crescent, Acton). Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.

April 14: Rohan Goyne, Space/Military Historian Lecture: Island Lagoon Australia's First Deep Space Tracking Station - The Untold Story,  work to date on a forthcoming book. Gungahlin Library, Hibberson Street, 11am-noon. Entry: adults $10.  rgoyne@grapevine.com.au

April 30: Troy Bramston in conversation with Paul Kelly on Bramston’s new book, Robert Menzies. 6pm. Small Theatre, Kambri Cultural Centre

May 15: Poetry at the House features Andrew Taylor (Sydney), Lizz Murphy (Binalong) and Keith Harrison (Canberra). Admission: $10 waged, $5 unwaged, collected before reading starts at 7.30pm in the Fellows’ Bar of ANU’s University House. Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.

June 12: Poetry at the House features Matt Hetherington (NSW), Penelope Layland and Shane Strange (Canberra). Admission: $10 waged, $5 unwaged, collected before reading starts at 7.30pm in the Fellows’ Bar of ANU’s University House. Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.

July 10: Poetry at the House features Andy Kissane (Sydney), Lesley Lebkowicz and Suzanne Edgar (Canberra). Admission: $10 waged, $5 unwaged, collected before reading starts at 7.30pm in the Fellows’ Bar of ANU’s University House (1 Balmain Crescent, Acton). Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.

August 14: Poetry at the House features Carol Jenkins (Sydney), David Gilbey (Wagga Wagga) and P.S. Cottier (Canberra) Admission: $10 waged, $5 unwaged, collected before reading starts at 7.30pm in the Fellows’ Bar of ANU’s University House (1 Balmain Crescent, Acton). Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.

September 11: Poetry at the House features Jennifer Harrison (Melbourne), Paul Hetherington (Canberra) and Harry Laing (Braidwood). Admission: $10 waged, $5 unwaged, collected before reading starts at 7.30pm in the Fellows’ Bar of ANU’s University House (1 Balmain Crescent, Acton). Bookings:gpage40@bigpond.net.au.

October 9: Poetry at the House features Robert Gray (Sydney), Owen Bullock and Melinda Smith (Canberra). Admission: $10 waged, $5 unwaged, collected before reading starts at 7.30pm in the Fellows’ Bar of ANU’s University House (1 Balmain Crescent, Acton). Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.

November 13: Poetry at the House features Michael Sharkey (Castlemaine), K.A. Nelson and Jen Webb (Canberra). Admission: $10 waged, $5 unwaged, collected before reading starts at 7.30pm in the Fellows’ Bar of ANU’s University House (1 Balmain Crescent, Acton). Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.

December 11: Poetry at the House features Robyn Rowland (Torquay), Paul Cliff and Kathy Kituai (Canberra ) Admission: $10 waged, $5 unwaged, collected before reading starts at 7.30pm in the Fellows’ Bar of ANU’s University House (1 Balmain Crescent, Acton). Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au

For consideration for Litbits, email litbits@canberratimes.com.au