ARA Group and The Historical Novel Society Australasia (HNSA) have announced a $30,000 to an outstanding historical novelist. Applications open on May 1 and close on June 30, 2020. for the inaugural award, with entrants to be judged on excellence in writing, depth of research and reader appeal. Applications are open to all authors - whether traditionally or self-published - who are residents or citizens of Australia or New Zealand, with books published between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. The winner will be announced on November 18, 2020. hnsa.org.au/ara-historical-novel-prize.

What's on

March 15: Award-winning Canberra children's authors Stephanie Owen Reeder, Tania McCartney and Cate Whittle are launching six new books, including Will the Wonderkid, Evie and Pog and Emergency Rescue Angel at Harry Hartog Woden, 10.30am. Free. eventbrite.com.au.

March 15: At Muse at 3pm, Cathy Perkins will be in conversation with Mark McKenna about Perkins' new book, The Shelf Life of Zora Cross, about the Australian poet and journalist. $15 includes a drink. musecanberra.com.au.

March 19: At 6pm in the T2 Lecture Theatre, Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU, in a free ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event, Arnold Zable will be in conversation with Kate Ogg on Zable's new non-fiction book The Watermill, true stories of displacement, survival and resistance. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

March 22: Samantha Maiden will launch Party Animals at Muse at 3pm. $15 includes a drink. musecanberra.com.au.

March 26: In the National Library of Australia foyer at 6pm, Felicity Volk will launch her novel, Desire Lines, with Natasha Stott Despoja and Dr Brett Mason. nla.gov.au.

March 26: Poetry at Manning Clark House features Brojay Beaumont, Asha Naznin and Dr David Reiter, Interactive Publications. 11 Tasmania Circuit, Forrest, at 7.30pm. $10 entry, wine and nibbles included.

March 26: At 6pm in T2 Lecture Theatre Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU in a free ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event, senior policy advisor Andrew Wear will be in conversation with Andrew Leigh MP on Wear's new book Solved!: How Other Countries Have Cracked the World's Biggest Problems and We Can Too. Bookings: anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

March 29: Brush with Poetry is in Café on Queen, 15 Queen Street, Binalong. Free open mike event. 1.30pm for 2pm start. Information: 0401 289 178.

March 29: Join hosts Zoya Patel and Yen Eriksen to Read Like A Feminist at Muse at 3pm. The March book for this new book club is Witches: What Women Do Together by Sam George-Allen. $15 includes a drink. musecanberra.com.au.

April 1: At 6pm in the T2 Lecture Theatre, Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU, in a free ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event, Margaret Simons will be in conversation with Helen Sullivan on Simons' new Quarterly Essay, Cry Me the River. The Tragedy of the Murray Darling Basin. Bookings: anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

April 7: At 6pm in the China in the World Auditorium. Fellows Lane, ANU, in a free ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event, Julia Baird will be in conversation with Alex Sloan on Baird's new book, Phosphorescence: on awe, wonder and things that sustain you when the world goes dark. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144

April 8: At 6pm in the T2 Lecture Theatre. Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU, in a free ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event, Professor David Kilcullen will be in conversation with Professor John Blaxland on Kilcullen's new book, The Dragons and the Snakes. How the Rest learned to fight the West. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144