Litbits: What's on in the Canberra literary scene from September 18, 2021

ACT Writers Centre chief executive officer Meg Wilson said the final date for entry submissions will be announced once there is a clearer understanding of Canberra's COVID-19 restrictions in the coming weeks. It will be ensured that all entrants have an appropriate amount of time to safely drop off their entries.

"These awards recognise and celebrate Canberra-region works published by small presses as well as self-published titles, and require the physical drop-off and collection of books for judging," Wilson said.

"With uncertainty over the lockdown timeframe in the ACT and continuing restrictions, it is our priority to ensure the safety of entrants, judges and the broader community. We will not compromise the calibre or purpose of these awards.

"Given these time and safety constraints, the delivery of these awards is untenable for this year."

The ACT Writers' suite of family-funded awards - the Marjorie Graber McInnis Short Story Award, the June Shenfield Poetry Award and the Anne Edgeworth Emerging Writer's Fellowship - will still run to plan in 2021.

"We're extremely conscious that the impacts of COVID-19 on the arts community in the ACT and right across the country are significant and demoralising," Wilson said.

"For us, the focus is on ensuring we create the best platform and space to recognise the writing talents of our region safely.

"We remain dedicated to our role advocating for, connecting, developing and celebrating our ACT-region writers, and these awards - bigger and better in 2022 - will be a key part of this."

The ACT Writing and Publishing Awards are administered by ACT Writers, in recognition of the excellent writing published locally.

The Creative Thought and Reflection Literary Competition (CTRL+A) is run by the Orana Parents and Friends. Authors Jackie French and Harry Laing will be the judges. This year the theme is aligned with the Children's Book Council of Australia Book Week theme: Old Worlds, New Worlds and Other Worlds. The intention is to include as many children's stories, poems and one-page graphic novels as possible in the annual Orana Anthology of Creative Thought. Competition submissions will be open until November 1, 2021. All children of school age in Canberra and the surrounding regions are eligible to submit entries. All submissions must be accompanied by an entry fee. The book will be available for pre-purchase with delivery in early 2022. Find out more at ctrla.oranaschool.com.

Historical Novel Society Australasia is offering the chance for small groups of eight to be taught in one-day bootcamps over the weekend of October 16 and 17, 2021. The tutors are Kelly Gardiner and Pamela Hart (Writing), Sophie Masson (Publishing) and Nadine Davidoff (Editing). There will be 1:1 manuscripts assessments by editors Irina Dunn and Elena Gomez. Gillian Polack is offering her research and writing masterclass to groups of three. See hnsa.org.au.

September 26: This will be a Spring Zoom open mic poetry soirée (instead of the usual Binalong venue). Hear an eclectic mix of voices and enjoy a chat with other poetry lovers. "Doors" open at 1.30PM (chat time) for 2pm poetry start. Link to event on Binalong Arts Group Inc Facebook page or via email. Contact: robynsykespoet@gmail.com or 0401 289 178. All welcome.

For consideration for Litbits, email litbits@canberratimes.com.au by 5pm Monday.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: