ACT-based writers who published between January 1 and December 31, 2015, can apply for the $10,000 ACT Book of the Year Award. Nominations close at 5pm on June 1. arts.act.gov.au.

ACU POETRY PRIZE

Entries for the 2016 Australian Catholic University (ACU) Prize for Poetry are now open (theme: Loving Kindness). The first prize is $7000 and will be presented on September 1. Entries are open until June 6. acu.edu.au.

POETRY PRIZES

The International Poetry Studies Institute (IPSI) is administering three major poetry prizes. The University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor's International Poetry Prize closes on June 30: canberra.edu.au/vcpoetryprize. The University of Canberra Health Poetry Prize (theme: Living Life Well) closes on June 30: canberra.edu.au/about-uc/competitions-and-awards/health-poetry-prize. The Young Poets Awards close on August 15: canberra.edu.au/young-poets-awards.

ACT BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS

All ACT-based writers who published in 2015 can nominate for this year's ACT Book of the Year Award. Nominations will close at 5pm, on Wednesday, June 1. arts.act.gov.au.

May 28: Non-profit press  Finlay Lloyd celebrates 10 years of publishing with free readings by authors including Paul McDermott, Carmel Bird and Alan Gould in the National Library of Australia foyer at 2pm. Book signings to follow. Bookings: nla.gov.au/bookings.

May 29, 1.30 for 2pm: Poets, singers and musicians are welcome to share the mike at A Brush with Poetry – contemporary, traditional, bush – at Black Swan Gallery, Binalong. Appropriate donation appreciated. Light menu and bar available. Phone Lizz Murphy, 6227 4516.

May 29: Muse 2016 Election Special features Paul Bongiorno and Bevan Shields in a discussion at 3pm chaired by Australian Prime Ministers' Centre fellow, author and journalist Chris Wallace. Tickets: $10 (includes a drink). musecanberra.com.

May 30: In an ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event, Canberra author Daniel O'Malley will be in conversation with Canberra Times reviewer Colin Steele, on O'Malley's new book Stiletto, the sequel to his debut bestseller The Rook. Haydon-Allen Lecture Theatre, ANU, 6pm.  Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or call 6125 8415.

May 31: Launch of Ann Wigglesworth's Activism and Aid – Young Citizens' Experiences of Development and Democracy in Timor-Leste by the Honourable Abel Guterres, Timorese ambassador to Australia. Asia Bookroom, Lawry Place, Macquarie, 6pm. RSVP by May 30 to 6251 5191 or books@AsiaBookroom.com. Admission by gold coin donation to YWCA Timor-Leste.

June 1: In an ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event, Tara Moss will be in conversation with Amanda Whitley, on Moss' new book Speaking Out: A 21st Century Handbook for Women and Girls. Manning Clark Centre Theatre 1, ANU, 6pm. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or call 6125 8415.

Thursday, June 2: At Paperchain, Manuka, at 5.45pm for 6pm, Mark Moran, Alyson Wright, Geoff Richardson and Stephanie Harvey will discuss the intersection of practice, politics and policy in Australian Indigenous Affairs in conjunction with Serious Whitefella Stuff: When solutions became the problem in Indigenous affairs. RSVP 6295 6723.

June 7: In an ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event, Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe will be speaking on his new book, The Lucky Country? Reinventing Australia in Theatre 2, Manning Clark Centre, ANU, at 6pm. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or call 6125 8415.

❑ Contributions to Litbits are welcome. Please email litbits@canberratimes.com.au by COB on the Monday prior to publication. Publication is not guaranteed.