The 2016 competition will close on September 1. Entry is open to Australian residents and stories should be 2000-5000 words, about any aspect of Australian rural family life. First prize is $1500. olgamastersshortstoryaward.com.au.

POETRY PRIZES

The Young Poets Awards close on August 15: canberra.edu.au/young-poets-awards.

HAMILTON HUME

Canberra author and former Canberra Times associate editor Robert Macklin's new book Hamilton Hume: Australia's Greatest Explorer will be published by Hachette Australia on July 27. The Australian-born Hume's achievements included forging a land route from Sydney to Port Phillip, leading Charles Sturt to the discovery of the Darling, which opened up western New South Wales, and crossing the Blue Mountains.

What's on

July 16: Us Mob Writing is a group of First Nations People who are emerging and established writers, poets, and playwrights. They will present readings from their published anthology By Close of Business at 2.30pm at Tuggeranong Arts Centre. All welcome. Free event.

July 17: At 3pm at Muse Canberra Angus McIntyre, author of Imam Samudra's Revenge, about the 2002 Bali bombings, will discuss the global phenomenon of terrorism with James Piscatori from the ANU's Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies and journalist Karen Middleton. $10 includes a drink. musecanberra.com.au.

July 19: Liana Downey, author of Mission Control: How Nonprofits and Governments Can Focus, Achieve More, and Change the World will deliver a free lecture at 5.30pm in the Molonglo Theatre, Level 2, JG Crawford Building 132, Lennox Crossing, ANU. Register at crawford.anu.edu.au/news-events/events/7895/mission-control-find-your-focus-and-increase-your-impact?tb=rego#tab.

July 20: The Dead Poets' Dinner at 6.30pm in the University House Drawing Room is $40 for a three-course meal (wine available for separate purchase). Bookings to gpage40@bigpond.net.au (advise if you want the vegetarian option). $40 in cash on arrival. About 35 reader places are available (two short poems or one slightly longer one by a dead poet in any language. Four minutes maximum). Book your reading spot on the sheet at the door on arrival. Not everyone needs to read.

July 28: Eat Drink and Be Literary with Richard Fidler, who will be discussing his new book, Ghost Empire, his radio series Conversations, and his time with the Doug Anthony All Stars in the University House Great Hall at 6.15pm pre-signings for 7pm dinner. $69 for two-course dinner and glass of wine. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or call 6125 8415.

July 29: A Poets' Archive: Peter Porter's Creative Legacy Conference is on from 9.30am to 5pm in the National Library of Australia theatre, Lower Ground 1. Admission $25 includes collection viewing and light refreshments.Bookings: 6262 1111

August 1: Meet the Chef Dinner with Mark Best, owner of multi-award winning Sydney restaurant, Marque, in conversation with Canberra Times Life and Entertainment editor Natasha Rudra. Includes signings and pre-drinks at 6.15pm, dinner 7pm at University House, ANU. Tickets: $85. Bookings on 6125 5270 or unihouse.anu.edu.au/events/meet-the-chef-mark-best.

August 4: In an ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event. Ashleigh Wilson will be in conversation with Sasha Grishin on Wilson's new book, Brett Whiteley: Art, Life and The Other Thing. Theatre 2, Manning Clark Centre, ANU at 6.30pm. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or call 6125 8415.

August 10: At 6pm in the National Library of Australia Theatre, Lower Ground 1, the author of Wild, Brave Enough and Tiny, Beautiful Things discusses her life-changing epic journey. $20. nla.gov.au.

August 15: Australian author Liane Moriarty will discuss her new novel, Truly Madly Guilty, in which she sifts through the fault lines of seemingly happy families, at the National Library of Australia theatre, lower ground floor at 6pm. Tickets $15.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.