Litbits: What's on in the Canberra literary scene from December 11, 2021

Join author and theatremaker Joel Swadling for the launch of his biography of actor, producer, and director David Branson, If This is the Highway (I'll Take the Dirt Road) - The Formidable Encounters of David Branson, Esq. Branson was a dazzling fountain of energy whose artistic endeavours throughout Australia enlivened and advanced the careers of many performing artists. In this book, many of those artists share intriguing encounters with this particularly individual figure of inspiration. December 11, 3pm. The Street. Bookings at thestreet.org.au.

Join Smith's Alternative for the launch of Bill Egan's book, African American Entertainers in Australia and New Zealand: A History, 1788-1941. It provides the only comprehensive history of more than 350 African American entertainers in Australia and New Zealand between European settlement in Australia in 1788 and the entry of the United States into World War II in 1941. It explains how and why they came, how they were treated and how that changed with the infamous White Australia policy. December 14 at 5pm. Register at smithsalternative.com.au.

On Wednesday, December 15 from 9am to 11am at the National Film and Sound Archive, this workshop is intended to help participants become published authors. eventbrite.com.au.

Transitioning to a Prosperous, Resilient & Carbon-Free Economy by ANU Inst. for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions will be launched at Kambri Cinema, University Avenue, Acton, on December 15 at 6pm. The event will be introduced by former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who wrote the foreword for the book, and Australian National University vice-chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt. The book's editors will then discuss with Australia's Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley the book's key themes and the implications for those working towards a carbon-free economy. eventbrite.com.au.

The final book for 2021 will be the Japanese novel The Woman in the Purple Skirt by Natsuko Imamura (trans. Lucy North). It's about a woman who seems to live in a world of her own but, though she may not know it, someone is watching her every move. The event is on at Muse on Tuesday, December 21 at 8pm. musecanberra.com.au.

Finally, the Lifeline Book Fairs are returning (with COVID restrictions, of course). The next one is scheduled for December 17-19 at Thoroughbred Park Entry by gold coin donation. COVID safety restrictions apply. Then comes the 50th birthday celebration Lifeline Book Fair on February 11-13, 2022.lifelinecanberra.org.au.

On February 10 at 6pm in the National Library of Australia theatre, author Glenda Korporaal looks at the groundbreaking woman who played such a critical role in the design of Canberra. She argues the case for Marion to be recognised in her own right for her unique combination of artist, architect, environmentalist, community maker and social observer. More information and bookings: nla.gov.au.

This is the final Litbits for 2021. Thanks to everyone who sent us information about what's been happening in Canberra's busy literary community. Litbits will be back in early 2022.

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