August 19: Not Very Quiet Presents: Abeir Soukeih and an extended open mic for women poets and readers. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic, 7-9pm. Entry $10 waged/ $5 unwaged, includes open mic.

August 20: Former Liberal MP Craig Laundy will speak at The National Press Club at the launch of David Crowe's Venom, about Liberal Party rivalries, at 5pm. Free but registry essential: functions@npc.org.au.

August 26: That Poetry Thing: Women out of Line(s): Activist poets Anita Patel, Samia Goudie, Sandra Renew and Melinda Smith share works. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic, 7-9pm. Entry $10 waged/ $5 unwaged, includes open mic.

August 28: Evie Farrell, author of Backyard to Backpack: A Solo Mum, a Six Year Old and a Life-changing Adventure, will be in conversation with Amanda Whitley at Paperchain Bookstore at 6pm. RSVP info@paperchainbookstore.com.au or phone 6295 6723

August 28: Dead Poets' Dinner (45 places with 35 places for readers) at University House at 6.30pm. $50 at the door. Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.

August 29: Leigh Sales will provide the keynote address at the Museum of Australian Democracy on address collaboration, communication and wellbeing. Registration at 8am, address at 8.30pm. alea.edu.au/events/event/act-leadership-unconference-2019-individual-registration.

August 29: British author David Nicholls will be in conversation with Alex Sloan on Nicholls' new novel, Sweet Sorrow. China in the World Auditorium, 6pm. anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

September 2: That Poetry Thing: Farah Beaini, Sue Donnelly and Louis Klee read. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic, 7-9pm. Entry $10 waged/ $5 unwaged, includes open mic.

September 7: Toni Hassan will be in conversation with Dr Kate Flaherty at the launch of Hassan's book Families in the Digital Age: Every parent's guide. ANU Drill Hall Gallery at 3pm. dhg.anu.edu.au/events.

September 9: That Poetry Thing: Sydney poet Andy Kissane and Canberra's Asefe Zeinalabedini will read. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic, 7-9pm. Entry $10 waged/ $5 unwaged, includes open mic.

September 14: At Muse at 4pm, Jess Hill will discuss her book on domestic violence, See What You Made Me Do. $15. musecanberra.com.au.

September 15: Diana Plater will be in conversation with Jack Waterford about her novel Whale Rock at Muse at 3pm. musecanberra.com.au.

September 16: Not Very Quite Presents readings by NSW poets Jo Wilson Ridley and Debra Evelyn. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic, 7-9pm. Entry $10 waged/ $5 unwaged, includes open mic.

September 23: That Poetry Thing: Brisbane poets Angela Gardner and Alan Jeffries. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic, 7-9pm. Entry $10 waged/ $5 unwaged, includes open mic.

September 29: Activist Dennis Altman discusses his memoir Unrequited Love with Frank Bongiorno at Muse at 3pm. $15. musecanberra.com.au.

September 30:That Poetry Thing: Lorne Johnson and Amy Bodossian will read. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St Civic, 7-9pm. Entry $10 waged/ $5 unwaged, includes open mic.