Batemans Bay Writers Festival will take place over the weekend of September 9 to 11. Guests will include former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer, Dr Leah Kaminsky, Malcolm Knox, Darleen Bungey, George Megalogenis, Mark Dapin, Meredith Jaffe, Sarah Rice, Geoff Page, Paul Hetherington and Deb Hunt. batemansbaywritersfestival.com.

SILENT PEARLS

Deakin historian and retired teacher John Lamb's book Silent Pearls: Old Japanese Graves of Darwin and the History of Pearling has been shortlisted for the Chief Minister's Northern Territory History Book Award. The winner of the award will be announced at a ceremony at the Northern Territory Library at Parliament House, Darwin, on June 28. The book is available in Canberra through the National Library Bookshop, Parkes and Paperchain Bookstore Manuka.

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 June 30: canberra.edu.au/vcpoetryprize. The University of Canberra Health Poetry Prize (theme: Living Life Well) closes June 30: canberra.edu.au/about-uc/competitions-and-awards/health-poetry-prize. The Young Poets Awards close August 15: canberra.edu.au/young-poets-awards.

What's on

June 15: The next Poetry at the House at University House, ANU features readings from Devin Johnston (St Louis), Adrian Caesar (Canberra) and Nicola Bowery (Braidwood). Admission: $10 waged, $5 unwaged. Meals are available in the Fellows Bar and Cafe from 6.30pm. Reading starts at 8pm. Parking at University House is best from Garran Road and on Balmain Lane off Balmain Crescent. Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.

June 16: Canberra author Sherene Suchy​ will be in conversation with Gay von Ess at Asia Bookroom about her new book Keepsakes. Memoir on the 'Museum of You' & Estate Planning at Asia Bookroom, Lawry Place, Macquarie. ACT. RSVP by June 15 to 6251 5191. Entry by gold coin donation to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

June 16: At University House in the Great Hall. Bowral chef James Viles will be in conversation with the Canberra Times Life and Entertainment Editor Natasha Rudra about his book, Biota. Grow. Gather. Cook. Pre-signings will take place at 6.15pm then at 7pm there will be a three-course dinner with Clonakilla wines. $85. Book directly with University House on 6125 5270/ 271.

June 19: Kerrie Nelson will launch Ink to Paper, Canberra's Limestone Tanka Poets' second anthology, at 5pm at Smith's Alternative. It's edited and collated by poet Kathy Kituai and artist Deborah Faeyrglenn​ complements the poetry with blue paintings. Contact Kathy Kituai on kkituai@gmail.com if you wish to attend or to obtain a copy.

June 19: ArtSound FM radio's Winter Solstice Book and Music Fair will be held from 9am to 4pm with books, CDs, DVDs and vinyl. Authors Dorothy Johnston (Through the Eye of a Camel) and Diana Thomspon (Winterflood's Passion) will be there from noon with their latest books for sales and signings. Manuka Arts Centre, corner of Manuka Circle and NSW Crescent (next door to Manuka Pool). artsound.fm or 6295 7444.

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