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 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.

National Library of Australia Friends are invited to a Meet the Author event with award-winning author Alex Miller on October 27 at 4pm ($20 Friends Members only). He will talk about his new book, Max, shortlisted for the 2021 National Biography Prize. The event will be held live via Zoom. To join this event, please register with your Friends membership number. We will send out an email prior to the event with the Zoom URL, as well as reminder emails a week, a day and an hour before the webinar with the URL to join. nla.gov.au.

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

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