Litbits: What's on in the Canberra literary scene from April 2, 2022

April 11: Joe Hockey will be in conversation with Paul Kelly on his new book, Diplomatic. A Washington memoir, written with Leo Shanahan, an insightful, honest and at times hilarious insider's memoir covering Hockey's time as Australia's ambassador to the United States. 6pm at Cinema, Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU. Registrations at anu.edu.au/events.

April 26: At 6pm, award-winning author Anita Heiss will be in conversation with Ann McGrath on Heiss's new book, Am I Black Enough For You? 10 Years On, in which she gives a first-hand account of her experiences as a woman with a Wiradyuri mother and Austrian father. Cinema, Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU. Registrations at anu.edu.au/events.

May 11: At 6pm, former prime minister Kevin Rudd will be in conversation with Julie Bishop on Rudd's new book, The Avoidable War: The Dangers of a Catastrophic Conflict between the US and Xi Jinping's China, which proposes a way forward for the US and China to avoid a superpower conflict. Manning Clark Auditorium, Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU. Registrations at anu.edu.au/events

Tuesdays: At 11am each Tuesday in Green Square will be stories, games and activities designed for babies and toddlers up to five years of age. More information: bookcow.com.au.

April 2: At 11am is the launch of Seree's Story by Canberra author Irma Gold with a book reading, elephant craft activity and cupcakes. You can come dressed as an elephant or bring your favourite elephant teddy. More information: bookcow.com.au.

April 9: At 3.30pm Canberra author Tabitha Carvan will discuss her book This is not a book about Benedict Cumberbatch with Lauren Beckman. More information: bookcow.com.au.

August 10-14: The Canberra Writers Festival will be back with a full program of more than 60 live events including the opening night dinner and panel sessions and more. The program will be announced on June 29. See: canberrawritersfestival.com.

April 10: At Muse at 3pm, Jane Hutcheon will discuss her book Rebel Talk, about i mproving conversational and persuasive skills, with Jennifer Wong. $10. musecanberra.com.au.

April 19: Translations Book Club at 8pm travels with French-Senegalese author David Diop to the battlefields of the First World War with his novel, At Night All Blood is Black (translated by Anna Moschovakis). musecanberra.com.au.

April 4: At Smith's Alternative at 7pm, Peter Goldsworthy (Adelaide) and Martin Dolan (Canberra) will read. Bookings at smithsalternative.com.

The Tough Guy Book Club is back for 2022. It's a free monthly modern meeting place for guys of all walks of life to get together and discuss not just the works of literary greats, but any and all of the issues that men tackle on a daily basis. The Canberra chapter meets at King O'Malley's, 131 City Walk, Canberra, on the first Wednesday of every month from 7pm to 9.30pm: April 6, May 4 and June 1 are the dates announced so far. The president of the Canberra chapter is Adam Bartlett (phone 0468 942 182). See: toughguybookclub.com.