Philip writer C.H. Pearce,  who won the Marjorie Graber-McInnis Short Story Award for her work Torvald's Year, is being featured in the  national anthology, Award Winning Australian Writing 2016, which was launched in Melbourne recently and is available in bookshops or via melbournebooks.com.au.

PENS AGAINST POVERTY

The Pens Against Poverty school writing competition 2016 is now open, aimed at ending poverty in Canberra. This year, participants are invited to write a short story or poem up to 500 words on the theme of "Playing Fair". The competition is open to students in grades 3-10 with a $200 main prize. Entry is free with a deadline of September 19.  pensagainstpoverty.org.

What's on

September 10-16: Poetry on the Move continues with Simon Armitage joining the festivities as poet-in-residence. The week concludes with the announcement of the University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor's International Poetry Prize. All events free, but please book at poetryonthemove2016.eventbrite.com.au.

September 11: The National Portrait Gallery hosts Geoff Page, Jessica Wilkinson and Benjamin Laird discussing Poetic Biography. The event also includes Subhash Jaireth reading from his new book, Incantations, accompanied by David Pereira (cello). At 3pm, part of Poetry on the Move: poetryonthemove2016.eventbrite.com.au.

September 12: In an ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event, Anthony Albanese and Karen Middleton will be in conversation with Alex Sloan on Karen Middleton's new biography: Albanese: Telling It Straight. Copland Lecture Theatre, 6pm. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 8415.

September 13. In an ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event,  writer Don Watson will be in conversation with Professor Bates Gill on Watson's new Quarterly Essay on American Politics in the Time of Trump. Manning Clark Lecture Theatre 3, 6pm. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 8415.

September 14: Mick: A Life of Randolph Stow by Suzanne Falkiner will be launched in the National Library Australia Conference Room, Level 4,  at 6pm. Free admission. nla.gov.au.

September 14: The next Poetry at the House reading at University House at 8pm will feature Geoff Goodfellow from Adelaide and Nigel Roberts from Sydney. Dinner is available from 6.30pm. Admission $10 waged, $5 unwaged. Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.

Sept 15: David Marr will talk about the key challenge of modern biographers - what do they do with themselves in their writing? - at the National Library of Australia Theatre, Lower Ground 1, at 6pm. Admission free. nla.gov.au.

September 16: Dr Chris Kavelin's book Nudges From Grandfather introduces some Indigenous ways of being. It will be launched at Harry Hartog Woden at 6pm.RSVP:  6232 5832.

September 19: In an ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event, Graeme Simsion will follow his two Rosie Project books with his new novel The Best of Adam Sharp. Manning Clark Lecture Theatre 2, 6.30pm. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 8415.

September 22: A team of young writers from the youth-led journal Demos will present free creative and academic readings and a Q&A at 7.30pm at Tuggeranong Arts Centre as part of the Lakeside Literary Lounge series. The journal is online at demosproject.net.

September 23: Rock star Jimmy Barnes will be signing copies of his autobiography Working Class Boy at Westfield Woden Centre Court, hosted by Harry Hartog Woden, at 12.30pm. Phone 6232 5832.

September 24: Meet Craig Cormick as he launches his new picture book Valdur the Viking at Harry Hartog Woden at 11am. The book and event are suitable for children six and older.  Phone 6232 5832.

September 25: At Muse Canberra at 3pm, genre fiction writers Sulari  Gentrill, Kaaron Warren and Sean Williams will talk. Tickets $10 includes a drink. musecanberra.com.au.

 September 29: Fantasy writer Garth Nix will discuss his new novel Goldenhand at the National Library of Australia Theatre, Lower Ground 1 at 6pm. Tickets $15 includes refreshments and book signing. nla.gov.au.

October 3: In an ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event, Hannah Kent will be in conversation with Professor Jen Webb, Director of the Centre for Creative and Cultural Research at the University Canberra, on Kent's much anticipated second novel, The Good People. Manning Clark Lecture Theatre 2, 6.30pm. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 8415.

October 8: Indonesian author Leila S. Chudori will talk about her  novel Home at the Asia Bookroom, Lawy Place, Macquarie at 4pm. Admission by gold coin donation to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. RSVP to 62515191 by October 7.

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