The 2015 Australian Book Review Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize is now open. The first prize is worth $5000 with supplementary prizes of $2000 and $1000. Entries must be a single-authored short story of between 2000 and 5000 words, written in English. Entries close at midnight on May 1. Entry costs $15 for current ABR subscribers or $20 for non-subscribers. More information: australianbookreview.com.au.

MACKAY BIOGRAPHY

February 11: At the National Press Club at 5.30pm, former Canberra Times journalist Graham Downie's book Living on the Edge: The Life of John Mackay will be launched by 666 ABC broadcaster Alex Sloan. It tells the story of the former chairman of Actew Corporation who was Canberra Citizen of the Year in 2009. To RSVP for the launch visit npc.org,au or phone 6121 2199. To purchase a copy of the book online, visit johnmackay.com.au.

CLIMATE CHANGE

February 12:  Maria Taylor's book Global Warming and Climate Change: What Australia knew and buried....then framed a new reality for the public will be launched at the ANU Coombs Law Lecture Theatre at 5.30 for 5.45pm. The special guests are John Kerin, a former cabinet minister and Tom Reddington of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.

KEATING BIOGRAPHY

February 12: At a Canberra Times/ANU Meet the Author event, Professor David Day will talk about his biography of former prime minister Paul Keating. It's on at 6pm at the Copeland Lecture Theatre, Australian National University. Enquiries: 6125 8415.

PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK LAUNCH

February 12: Greg Batty's book Photography, Narrative, Time: Imaging our Forensic Imagination  will be launched at the National Library Bookshop at 6pm. Book signing to follow. Bookings: nla.gov.au/bookings or 02 6262 1424.

BUDDHIST BOOT CAMP

February 13: Timber Hawkeye will talk about his book Buddhist Boot Camp, a non-sectarian approach to being at peace with the world, at Paperchain Bookstore Manuka at 6pm. RSVP on 6295 6723 or email info@paperchainbookstore.com.au.

HALF THE WORLD

February 16: At 6pm at Harry Hartog Bookshop in Westfield Woden, fantasy author Joe Abercrombie will be speaking about his book Half the World. Please contact woden@harryhartog.com.au or 6232 5832 for details.

JUST MERCY

February 18: In another Canberra Times/ANU Meet the Author event, Bryan Stevenson will be in conversation with Dr Andrew Leigh on Stevenson's book, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. Stevenson is a young American lawyer whose efforts have reversed the death penalty for dozens of condemned prisoners in the US. It's on at Manning Clark Lecture Theatre 1, Australian National University, at 6.30pm. Enquiries: 6125 8415.

BAPO

February 24: Nicholas Jose and Linda Jaivin will be in conversation at Asia Bookroom at 6pm. They will discuss Jose's latest book, a collection of short stories, Bapo. Asia Bookroom is in Lawry Place, Macquarie. Entry by gold coin donation to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. RSVP: By February 23 to 6251 5191. More information: asiabookroom.com/events.

ONE LIFE

April 10: At 1pm at Woden Library, Kate Grenville will speak about her book One Life.  Please contact woden@harryhartog.com.au or 6232 5832 for details.

* Contributions to Litbits are welcome. Please email litbits@canberratimes.com.au by COB on the Monday prior to publication. Publication is not guaranteed.