May 20: The Little Red Writing Workshop with Mark Tredinnick, a crash course in style, is on from 10am to 4pm in E-Block Seminar Room, Gorman Arts Centre. Cost: $145 members, $210 non-members (includes 12-month membership). Concession rates available. http://bit.ly/marktredinnick.
May 21: Join three of Millenials, Sam Vincent, Yolande Norris and Billy Griffiths, for a panel discussion with editor Julianne Schultz, as they explore their contributions to Griffith Review56 on work, culture and transition in the twenty-first century. Muse, Kingston, 3pm. Tickets $10 which includes entry + glass of wine or juice. Bookings at: http://www.musecanberra.com.au/events/
May 24: National Simultaneous Storytime is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association. A picture book is read simultaneously in many places around the country. In the National Library of Australia foyer at 10.50am, ANU vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt will read this year's book, The Cow Tripped Over The Moon, written by Tony Wilson and illustrated by Laura Wood. Free. Bookings: nla.gov.au.
May 25: Poet Juan Garrido Salgado, will read at Manning Clark House, along with Paul Collis. 7pm for 7.30pm. $10 entry fee. Wine and nibbles served. Contact Kathy Kituai, 0478648124, for further information.
May 29: At 6pm at the Copland Lecture Theatre, ANU in an ANU/ Canberra Times meet the author event, Robert Dessaix will be in conversation with Professor Nicholas Brown on Dessaix's new book, The Pleasures of Leisure. Free event. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144. Book signings at 5.30pm. Tuesday 30 May 2017, 11am - 12.30pm
May 30: Then join Robert Dessaix over lunch at Muse in the second The Long Table gathering. 12-1.30pm; $75 includes two course lunch and copy of Robert's latest book, The Pleasures of Leisure.
May 30: Time Traveller's Book Club at the National Museum of Australia. Take a romp through history, led by Dr Mike Smith, archaeologist and honorary senior research fellow at the National Museum. This month's book is The Second World War, by Antony Beevor, Orion Publishing, 2014. Beevor provides a grand sweep of this 20th century conflict, while also focusing on the local dimensions of the unfolding tragedy. The fate of ordinary soldiers and civilisations also informs the narrative. Exclusive to Friends full members. Bookings essential at Eventbrite
May 30: At 6.30pm in the Copland Lecture Theatre, ANU in a free ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event, Chloe Shorten will be in conversation with Anna-Maria Arabia on Shorten's new book, Take Heart: A Story for Modern Stepfamilies. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144. Book signings at 6pm.
May 31: The oral history book Australian Lives: An Intimate History by Anisa Puri and Alistair Thomson will be launched at 6pm in the National Library of Australia Conference Room, Level 4. Admission free (includes refreshments) Bookings: nla.gov.au.
June 6: Hugh Mackay will talk about his satire Selling the Dream in the National Library of Australia Theatre at 6pm. Admission $20. Bookings: nla.gov.au.
June 7: At 6.30pm in the Copland Lecture Theatre in a free ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event John Safran will be in conversation with Kim Hunyh on Safran's new book Depends What You Mean by Extremist.Going Rogue with Australian Deplorables. Bookings: anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144. Pre-book signings at 6pm.
June 27: At 6.15 for 7pm in the Great Hall, University House, ANU at the Eat Drink and Be Literary dinner Julia Baird will be in conversation with Alex Sloan on Baird's biography of Queen Victoria. Tickets $72 per person for two-course meal and wine. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.
July 5: Clancy's Hat: The Story of Tim's Lone Journey from Canberra to Kosciuszko and a Special Hat by Phillip A. Moses will be launched at the National Library of Australia Bookshop at 6pm. Admission free. Bookings: nla.gov.au.
* Contributions to Litbits are welcome. Please email litbits@canberratimes.com.au by COB on the Monday prior to publication. Publication is not guaranteed.
