The 2016 competition is now open and 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.

What's on

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-5pm in the National Library of Australia theatre, Lower Ground 1. Admission $25 includes collection viewing and light refreshments. Bookings: 6262 1111.

July 30: Founder of Tasmania's Agrarian Kitchen and Australia's foremost authority on all things truffle, Rodney Dunn will be in the Muse Canberra bookshop from 9.30am-10.30am signing copies of his latest collection of recipes and truffle lore, The Truffle Cookbook. Free admission: musecanberra.com.au.

July 31: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will go on sale at 9.01am at Paperchain Manuka and to celebrate there will be quizzes, competitions and prizes. RSVP for the special Wizarding Feast at 10.30am with Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, Liquorice Wands, a birthday cake for Harry and more. Telephone 6295 6723 or email info@paperchainbookstore.com.au.

July 31: At Muse Canberra at 3pm Omar Musa will launch the poetry debut of Queensland author, Ellen van Neerven, titled Comfort Food. Tickets $10 includes a drink: musecanberra.com.au.

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, The dinner includes a two-course meal inspired by his Best Kitchen Basics at University House. Signings and pre-drinks 6.15pm, two-course dinner, Clonakilla wine, tea and coffee, 7pm. Tickets: $85pp. 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, meet the author of Wild, Brave Enough and Tiny, Beautiful Things as she discusses her epic journey and how it changed her life. $20 (includes refreshments and book signing). nla.gov.au.

August 11: At 6pm in the Conference Room, fourth floor, National Library of Australia, will be the launch of A Voyage to New Holland and Round the World by Captain James Colnett RN, edited by Allen Mawer, providing insight into Australia's colonial history. Free admission: nla.gov.au.

August 11: At 6pm at the Asia Bookroom, Lawry Place, Macquarie, Milton Osborne will talk about his book Southeast Asia - An Introductory History from concept to 12th edition. RSVP by August 10 to 6251519 or books@asiabookroom.com. Entry by gold coin donation to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

August 15: Australian author Liane Moriarty will discuss her new novel, Truly Madly Guilty, in which she sifts through the emerging 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.