October 26: The topic of this month's meeting of the Fellowship of Australian Writers is either "Food Glorious Food" or "Scared as a Kitten". Brindabella Room, 4th Floor, National Library, 1-4pm. All welcome. Shared afternoon tea. Gold coin donation. Details: Adrienne Johns 6231 2470 or Chris Burt 6231 1937.

MOLLY MELDRUM

October 27: Discover what really happened on Countdown - after the cameras were turned off. Join the legendary Molly Meldrum in conversation with Lisa Forrest as he shares more than 30 years of stories working in the music industry. Hear about his interviews with stars such as Kylie Minogue, Prince Charles, Elton John and Madonna. In association with Allen and Unwin. 6pm, National Library of Australia Theatre, $20 includes refreshments and book signing. Bookings: nla.gov.au/bookings or 6262 1271.

MICHAEL BYRNE

October 28: Michael Byrne's New & Selected Poems encompasses the full arc of his development, from promising teenage poet to an accomplished poet in his 30s. Bill Tully will launch the book at Paperchain Bookstore, Manuka, 5.45pm for 6pm. RSVP: 6295 6723 or info@paperchainbookstore.com.au

JOHN STOKES

October 30: Celebrated poet John Stokes does not shy from the contentious and the harrowing, his verse evokes the plain truth about love, sex and chaos. In a clear, resonant voice Fire in the Afternoon catches the truth in the midst of the storm, his poems resonating from a life that has known joy, loss and solitude in nature. Fire in the Afternoon will be launched at Paperchain Bookstore, Manuka, 5.45pm for 6pm. RSVP: 6295 6723 or info@paperchainbookstore.com.au

WORDY WOMEN

October 31: Join authors Kylie Ladd, Maggie Joel and Fiona Higgins, who'll be talking about life, love and books as part of Allen & Unwin's Wordy Women Tour. Organised in conjunction with the ACT Writers' Centre, they'll be speaking in the Ralph  Wilson Theatre, Gorman House Arts Centre, 5.30pm for a 6pm start. There'll be a Q&A and book signings  after the talk. $5 for members, $10 for non members. Bookings: actwriters.org.au or  6262 9191.

MASTERCLASS

November 1: If you've ever considered writing about your life - in columns, personal essays or as a memoir - but weren't sure where (or how) to start, then join this in-depth exploration of writing the most important story you'll ever tell: your own. Join memoirist and journalist Benjamin Law for a workshop to refine your story-telling voice.  On November 2, he will lead a workshop exploring the essentials of successful freelance writing. ACT Writers Centre, $110 members, $170 non-members. Bookings: 6262 9191 or actwriters.org.au

WRITERS' FESTIVAL

November 7-9: A great line-up for the Snowy Mountains Writers' Festival at Thredbo. Well-known Canberra journalists and authors Chris Uhlmann and Steve Lewis will be guest speakers at the Sunset Festival Dinner and over the weekend you can catch up with Peter Fitzsimons (Gallipoli), Karen Viggers (The Grass Castle), Omar Musa (Here Come the Dogs), Biff Ward (In My Mother's Hands), Sulari Gentill (A Murder Unmentioned), Anna George (The Beauty of Stone), David Leser (To Begin to Know – Walking in the Shadows of my Father), poet Victoria McGrath, and others. There will also be writing workshops, discussions with authors, a high tea, literary lunch and a celebration dinner on the Friday night. Details: snowymountainswritersfestival.org 

CREW DINNER

November 8: The Australian Literacy Educators' Association and the ACT Association for Teachers of English are holding a literary dinner with young adult-fiction writer Gary Crew. 6.30pm at the National Press Club. Cost: $100 members, $120 institutional members, $140 non-members. Book online: alea.edu.au/events/category/act or by email: actaleatreasurer@gmail.com

YA FICTION WORKSHOP

November 8: Award-winning young adult and children's author Kaz Delaney will lead a workshop on how to write successfully for young adults. She will discuss tone, markets, audience, agents, selling across two continents and popular culture in the context of the YA novel. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own compelling YA protagonist and be encouraged to dig deep to find the story that drives them. ACT Writers Centre, $110 members, $170 non-members. Bookings: 6262 9191 or actwriters.org.au

PETER FITZSIMONS

November 11: Peter Fitzsimons, with his trademark vibrancy and expert melding of writing and research, recreates, in his new book Gallipoli, the disaster as experienced by those who endured it or perished in the attempt. A Canberra Times/ANU Meet the Author event.  6pm. Manning Clark Lecture Theatre 1. Bookings:  events@anu.edu.au or 6125 8415.