October 11: Smith's That Poetry Zoom: Lisa Brockwell and John Foulcher (with open mic). Bookings: SmithsPoetryThing@gmail.com

October 18: Smith's That Poetry Zoom: Recent Work Readings by Anne Casey and Heather Taylor-Johnson (with open mic). Bookings: SmithsPoetryThing@gmail.com

The Historical Novel Society Australasia virtual conference is on from October 22 to 24 and showcases more than 70 speakers from around the world. The guest of honour is Geraldine Brooks, who won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, March. Other international guests include Kate Quinn, Ben Kane, Elizabeth Chadwick, Richard Zimler, Kevan Lyon and Laurie Blum Guest. Keynote speaker Julie Janson will address the theme of Recovery-Restoring, Reconciling and Re-imaging Lost Histories. All interviews and panels will be available to view on demand for three months after the conclusion of the event at no extra cost. More information and registrations: hnsa.org.au/2021-hnsa-conference.

The 2021 National Young Writers' Festival (NYWF) is a free and accessible four-day annual festival usually held in Newcastle, NSW. However, due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions this year's festival - the 24^th - will be fully digital and will feature more than 80 artists across 66 events, a space for writers to take risks, experiment with new ideas, make new connections, and have fun. Among the events is Canberra Youth Theatre's Scratch, a work-in-progress readings event. See: youngwritersfestival.org/events

The Creative Thought and Reflection Literary Competition (CTRL+A) is run by the Orana Parents and Friends. Authors Jackie French and Harry Laing will be the judges. This year the theme is aligned with the Children's Book Council of Australia Book Week theme: Old Worlds, New Worlds and Other Worlds. The intention is to include as many children's stories, poems and one-page graphic novels as possible in the annual Orana Anthology of Creative Thought. Competition submissions will be open until November 1, 2021. All children of school age in Canberra and the surrounding regions are eligible to submit entries. All submissions must be accompanied by an entry fee. The book will be available for pre-purchase with delivery in early 2022. Find out more at ctrla.oranaschool.com.

Historical Novel Society Australasia is offering the chance for small groups of eight to be taught in one-day bootcamps over the weekend of October 16 and 17. The tutors are Kelly Gardiner and Pamela Hart (writing), Sophie Masson (publishing) and Nadine Davidoff (editing). There will be 1:1 manuscript assessments by editors Irina Dunn and Elena Gomez. Gillian Polack is offering her research and writing masterclass to groups of three. See hnsa.org.au.

For consideration for Litbits, email litbits@canberratimes.com.au by 5pm Monday.

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