For the month of October 2014, Hachette Australia will be accepting submissions of young adult novels in all genres. Successful applicants will receive editorial feedback and may be offered a contract for publication. Submissions will be open from 9am on October 1 and will close at close of business on October 31, 2014. All submissions must strictly adhere to the requirements on the website: hachette.com.au/articles/NextBigThingInYA.page

SHORTLIST

Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS)  has announced the shortlist for its  2014 Australia Prize for a Book. The shortlisted titles, from an entry field of 117 print and e-books, are: Joan Beaumont, The Broken Nation (Allen and Unwin); Iain McCalman, The Reef – A Passionate History (Penguin) and Mike Smith, The Archaeology of Australia's Deserts (Cambridge University Press). The winner will receive $3500 on October 8. Canberra Times book reviewer Colin Steele chaired the judging panel. Website: chass.org.au/forum/program.htm

ASIO HISTORY

At an upcoming ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event, David Horner will talk about his book The Official History of ASIO 1949-1963, offering new insights into Australian politics and society during the Cold War. Copland Theatre, Kingsley Avenue, ANU on October 9 at 6pm. Bookings: 6125 8415.

CREW DINNER

The Australian Literacy Educators' Association and the ACT Association for Teachers of English are holding a Literary Dinner with author Gary Crew on Saturday, November 8 at 6.30pm at the National Press Club. Tickets $100 members, $120 institutional members, $140 non-members. Bookings: alea.edu.au/events/category/act

BOOK LAUNCH

Cooper Bartholomew is Dead by Canberra-based author Rebecca James will be launched by Kaaron Warren at 6 for 6.30pm at Electric Shadows Bookshop, 40 Mort Street, Braddon, on Thursday, October 16. RSVP by October 11: 6248 8352.

What's on:

Saturday, 6pm: Editia Press and Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres present the official Canberra book launch of The N00bz: New Adventures in Literature – a collection of new writing, accompanied by a panel discussion – in the Bogong Theatre at Gorman Arts Centre.

Sunday, 1.30 for 2pm: A Brush with Poetry, at Black Swan Gallery, Stephen Street (Burley Griffin Way), Binalong will see established poets, emerging poets, contemporary poets and bush poets  come together. Everyone gets to share the mike. Musicians also welcome. Admission: Gold coin donation appreciated. Contact: Lizz Murphy on 6227 4516 or Robyn Sykes on 227 4377 or just turn up.

Tuesday, 5.45 for 6pm: Brooke Davis, author of the novel Lost & Found, about three lost people needing to be found, will be at a meet the author and signing event at Paperchain Bookstore Manuka, RSVP: 6295 6723.

Thursday, 5.45 for 6pm: Mark Henshaw will speak about his new psychological thriller The Snow Kimono at Paperchain Bookstore Manuka. RSVP: 6295 6723.

Thursday, 7pm: Annabel Crabb, author of The Wife Drought, will will be in conversation with Samantha Maiden at a free ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event at Theatre 2, Manning Clark Centre, Union Court, ANU. Bookings: 6125 8415.