Pyne will be in conversation with Annabel Crabb on Tuesday, July 7, in the Members' Bar at Old Parliament House to launch his new book The Insider: The scoops, the scandals and the serious business within the Canberra bubble.

The streamed-only event is a precursor to the Writers' Festival, which will release its full program the next day, Wednesday, July 8, at noon. Tickets and subscriptions, for live and streamed events will go on sale at canberrawritersfestival.com.au.

Pyne's book launch meanwhile, called Wine with Pyne will be streamed for free from 6pm to 7pm. You can subscribe to the event here.

The festival suggests having "a Mixer with The Fixer" to celebrate the event.

The festival proper is from August 12-16.

The festival opens on Wednesday, August 12, with writer, cook and television presenter Adam Liaw, preparing a "Hangman's Supper" at the opening dinner at the National Museum of Australia.