December 13: In this ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event from 6pm to 7pm, Andrew Leigh will be in conversation with ANU vice chancellor Brian Schmidt on Leigh's new book, What's the Worst That Could Happen? Existential Risk and Extreme Politics. Leigh looks at catastrophic risks and how to mitigate them, arguing provocatively that the rise of populist politics makes catastrophe more likely. Cinema, Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU Registrations at anu.edu.au/events.

Best-selling author Jack Heath will join the Dymocks Belconnen team and special guest Sam Hawke (author of the Poison Wars series) to celebrate the release of Heath's new standalone thriller, Kill Your Brother. December 5 at 9am. RSVPs are essential for this event so please indicate your attendance on the Facebook event or call 6251 2850.

Join J. Ashley-Smith in conversation with Kaaron Warren and Aaron Dries for the belated in-person launch of his books, Ariadne, I Love You and The Attic Tragedy at The Canberra Wine House on December 8 at 7pm.

Ariadne, I Love You tells the story of singer Jude, who is dragged out of alt-country obscurity, to scrub up and fly to Australia for a last, desperate comeback tour.

In The Attic Tragedy, the new girl, Sylvie, is like a creature from another time, with her old-fashioned leather satchel, her white cotton gloves and her head in the clouds. George watches her drift around the edge of the school playing fields, guided by inaudible voices.

Join author and theatremaker Joel Swadling for the launch of his biography of actor, producer, and director David Branson, If This is the Highway (I'll Take the Dirt Road) - The Formidable Encounters of David Branson, Esq. Branson was a dazzling fountain of energy whose artistic endeavours throughout Australia enlivened and advanced the careers of many performing artists. In this book, many of those artists share intriguing encounters with this particularly individual figure of inspiration. December 11, 3pm. The Street. Bookings at thestreet.org.au.

Join Smith's Alternative for the launch of Bill Egan's book, African American Entertainers in Australia and New Zealand: A History, 1788-1941. It provides the only comprehensive history of more than 350 African American entertainers in Australia and New Zealand between European settlement in Australia in 1788 and the entry of the United States into World War II in 1941. It explains how and why they came, how they were treated and how that changed with the infamous White Australia policy. December 14 at 5pm. Register at smithsalternative.com.au.

Finally, the Lifeline Book Fairs are returning (with COVID restrictions, of course). The next one is scheduled for December 17-19 at Thoroughbred Park; then comes the 50th birthday celebration Lifeline Book Fair on February 11-13, 2022. lifelinecanberra.org.au.

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