Hear author Banafsheh Serov talk about her memoir Under a Starless Sky about her family's escape from Iran on Wednesday 5 November at 5.30pm for a 6pm start at Orange City Library. At first her family was filled with hope as the Shah's rule collapsed and the Ayatollah Khomeini made his triumphant return. But they quickly came to realise that Iran had traded one dictator for another, more ruthless ruler. From the streets and bazaars of Tehran to the moonlit Turkish mountains, Under a Starless Sky is a detailed memoir about her family's extraordinary journey. The event is presented by Angus & Robertson, Central West Libraries and the Central West Writers' Centre and bookings are essential by calling the Library on 6393 8132. Everyone welcome.

Regional writers from around Australia present a program of workshops, readings & discussions in romance, crime, poetry, young adult fiction and short story writing. And if you have a writing project you are seeking advice on, you can book in for a one-on-one consultation (each event $15). This is a great opportunity for budding writers to learn and enjoy! To book for an event please contact Varuna via email and then complete a booking form available on the website. For full timetable details & booking form go to www.varuna.com.au and the Varuna Community Open Day is being held on Saturday, 11 October from 2 to 4pm with readings and afternoon tea in the garden at Varuna – this is a free event. LongLines Community Week brings writers from all round Australia to Varuna specially to work with the writers of the Blue Mountains community. Supported by the Blue Mountains City Council through the Cultural Partnerships Program, LongLines Community Week is a thank you from Australia's regional writers to the Blue Mountains community for the gift of Varuna – The Writers' House.

Writing fans are invited to lunch with best-selling Australian crime writer Michael Robotham, author of The Suspect and Night Ferry, and fellow crime writer Leah Giarratano author of Voodoo Doll. Michael has been named ambassador for Books Alive 2008 and will be in Orange: Monday 28 July,12.30pm to 2.30pm at Mary Jane's Restaurant in Kelly's Rugby Hotel,Lords Place, Orange. Tickets $35 per person for a two course lunch. Please book and purchase your ticket at Orange City Library, call 6393 8132. Michael Robotham is a former journalist and ghostwriter turned crime writer. His debut novel The Suspect sold more than a million copies worldwide. His new short novel Bombproof is the Books Alive 2008 feature title and will be given away free with the purchase of any of the 50 Books Alive recommended reads, including Voodoo Doll by Leah Giarratano, during the Books Alive promotion in conjunction with Angus & Robertson. Books Alive is Australia's largest annual promotion of reading, featuring a host of activities to tempt everyone to pick up a book. It runs for a month from 27 July and the lunch of crime is one of the first events!

Discover more about the life and works of Jane Austen at a talk to be presented by President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia, Susannah Fullerton, on Sunday, 1 June from 3pm to 4.30pm at Orange City Library. Susannah is a knowledgeable speaker and has written extensively about the famous British author publishing two books: Jane Austen & Crime and Jane Austen Antipodean Views. Jane Austen & Crime examines the relationship between Georgian crime and the novels of Jane Austen including elopement, duelling, poaching, theft and even murder which all appear in Jane Austen's writings. Guests will be able to ask Susannah questions about Jane Austen, her life and works and refreshments will be served. The event is free but please RSVP to Orange City Library by calling 6393 8132.