A new writer's residency program has been launched in Canberra as a joint initiative between Ethical Property Australia and The Australia Institute, The Level will provide a new centre in Canberra for organisations working for a more socially just and environmentally responsible society.A steering committee - Paul Daley, Allan Behm, Melinda Smith, Alex Sloan and Ben Oquist - will select a writer each year to undertake a residency at Endeavour House for a minimum of two weeks including a stipend of $2500 a week.

WHAT'S ON

November 20: Madeleine O'Dea's The Phoenix Years follows the stories of nine contemporary Chinese artists to show how China's rise unleashed creativity and sparked tensions between the individual and the state. Muse Canberra at 3pm. $10 includes a drink. musecanberra.com.au.

November 21: Living with the Locals: Early Europeans' Experience of Indigenous Life by John Maynard and Victoria Haskins will be launched in the foyer of the National Library of Australia. Admission free. nla.gov.au.

November 22: In a free ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event, Stan Grant will be in conversation with Professor Mick Dodson, on Grant's new Quarterly Essay: The Australian Dream: Blood, History and Belonging. At Llewellyn Hall at 6pm. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 8415

November 23: Home Grown, a political thriller by Hugh Watson, will be launched at Muse Canberra at 6pm. Admission free. musecanberra.com.au.

November 24: John Blay will speak about his book Back Country: trek through the Deua and Wadbilliga at Paperchain Bookstore Manuka at 5.45 for 6pm.RSVP 6295 6723.

November 24: Manning Clark House Poetry at 7.30pm features Luke Whitington, K A Nelson and Maggie Shapley. 11 Tasmanian Circuit, Forrest. $10/$5.

November 27: Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil, a crime novel by Melina Marchetta, will be launched at Muse Canberra at 3pm. $10 includes a drink. musecanberra.com.au.

November 28: Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will launch Nauru Burning: An uprising and its aftermath, by Mark Isaacs.at Paperchain Bookstore Manuka at 5.45 for 6pm. RSVP 6295 6723.

December 4: Preparing Your Manuscript: An Editor's Tips with Phillip Berrie is on from 10am to 4pm at Gorman Arts Centre.: $110 + b.f. (ACTWC member), $175 + b.f. (General Admission: includes 12-month membership). Concession prices available. bit.ly/2fQcUR9.

December 5: At Muse Canberra at 6pm, Michelle Grattan and Laurie Oakes chaired by Alex Sloan discuss the year in politics at the launch of The Conversation Yearbook 2016. $10 includes a drink. musecanberra.com.au.

December 5: In a free ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event Paul Livingston aka Flacco tells the inside story of The Doug Anthony All Stars then and now in DAAS: Their Part in My Downfall. 6pm, Manning Clark 2, ANU. Bookings: anu.edu.au/events or 6125 8415

December 8: In a free ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event. Troy Bramston, author of Paul Keating: The big picture leader will be in conversation with The Australian's Editor-At-Large, Paul Kelly, on Bramston's new biography of Keating. 6pm, Manning Clark 2, ANU. Bookings: anu.edu.au/events or 6125 8415

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

Note: an earlier version of this story had an event with Matthew Reilly on November 25: this has been removed as the event has been cancelled.