Entries are now open for the 2019 Australian Catholic University Prize for Poetry, with a $10,000 first prize. The theme is Solace. Entries close on July 8 and winners will be announced in September. artsandculture.acu.edu.au.

Applications for The Wheeler Centre's national writers' scheme, The Next Chapter, are open for 2019. Ten writers will each receive $15,000 and the help of a mentor to develop their work as well as a four-day residency at Varuna, The Writers' House in Katoomba. Applications and nominations close at 5pm on Friday July 12. Send a 10,000-word writing sample, a 300-word personal statement and a one-page letter of support from someone who can vouch for your commitment to writing. thenextchapter.wheelercentre.com.

June 17: Not Very Quiet Presents: Poetry. Science. Women - Celebrating the Amazing. Hear poetry celebrating the intersection of women, science and poetry read by local scientists, hosted by Jen Webb. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St Civic, 7-9pm. Entry $10 waged/ $5 unwaged, no open mic.

June 20: Harry Hartog Woden is holding a night of fantasy bingo at 6pm marking release of Lisa Cassidy's A Tale of Stars & Shadow. $5 entry goes to One Girl, a charity empowering girls through education. RSVP: eventbrite.com.

June 20: At Paperchain Manuka at 6.30pm, Lynette Noni will speak about and sign copies her young adult fantasy novels The Medoran Chronicles and Whisper. RSVP: info@paperchainbookstore.com.au or phone 6295 6723.

June 21: At Paperchain Manuka at 6pm, the winner of the inaugural Penguin Literary Prize, Kathryn Hind, pictured above, will speak about her debut novel Hitch. RSVP: info@paperchainbookstore.com.au or phone 6295 6723.

June 22: At Paperchain Manuka at 3pm, Maura Pierlot will speak about her children's picture book The Trouble in Tune Town. RSVP: info@paperchainbookstore.com.au or phone 6295 6723

June 23: Australian author Robyn Cadwallader will speak on her 2016 historical novel The Anchoress at The Lovat Chapel, Meehan Street, Yass, at 2 for 2.30pm. Free.

June 24: Anita Patel will present her collection A Common Garment (Recent Work Press). Lizz Murphy from Binalong will also read. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St Civic, 7-9pm. Free. Short open mic.

June 25: At 6pm in China in the World auditorium, in a free ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event, Peter Lewis, the executive director of Essential Media, will be in conversation with Andrew Leigh on Peter's new book, Webtopia: The World Wide Wreck of Tech and How To Make The Net Work. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

June 27: At Paperchain Manuka at 6pm will be the launch of Mal Elliott's book Fatal Mission: The Life and Death of Oscar Furniss and the Crew of the Naughty Nan; 467 SQN RAAF. RSVP: info@paperchainbookstore.com.au or phone 6295 6723.

July 1: Canberra poets Sofie Westcombe and Lucy Alexander will read at Smith's Alternative at 7pm. $10/$5 on the door. Open mic.

July 4: At Paperchain Manuka at 6pm, Robert Macklin will talk about his book Castaway: The extraordinary survival story of Narcisse Pelletier, a young French cabin boy shipwrecked on Cape York in 1858 with Bill Gammage. RSVP: info@paperchainbookstore.com.au or 6295 6723.

July 4: At 6pm in China in the World auditorium, Fellows Lane ANU. In a free ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event, Hugh White, Professor of Strategic Studies at ANU, will be in conversation with the Lowy Institute's Sam Roggeveen on White's new book, How to Defend Australia. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

July 8: Mother Tongue: At Smith's Alternative, Sign up to share a poem in a language other than English at mothertonguemic@gmail.com. $10 / $5 on the door.

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.

July 15: Not Very Quiet Presents: Songs Start with Poetry with the Gay and Lesbian Qwire: Songs from the Qwire plus Out of line(s), a panel of queer poets - Sandra Renew, Meredith Pitt, Tahi Atea and Jacqui Malins. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St Civic, 7-9pm. Entry $10 waged/ $5 unwaged, includes short open mic.

July 22: That Poetry Thing: Recent Work Press launches Giant Steps: Fifty poets reflect on the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing and beyond, with readings by contributors and a space-themed open mic. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St Civic, 7-9pm. Free.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.