South Carolina native and bestselling author Will Allison will read from his work at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, in the Wall Auditorium at Coastal Carolina University. The event is free and open to the public.

Allison, who was born and raised in Columbia, is author of The New York Times bestseller "Long Drive Home," a psychological thriller/drama/tragedy about how life can change in an instant because of a small mistake – in this case, an automobile accident that tears apart the protagonist and his family.

His debut novel was "What You Have Left," a story of loss and redemption for a South Carolina family told through multiple narrators with differing perspectives. It was selected as a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers book and named one of the most notable books of the year for 2007 by The San Francisco Chronicle. His stories have appeared in magazines and received special mention in the Pushcart Prize and Best American Short Stories anthologies. He is the former executive editor of Story, an online magazine for short story writers.

Following the reading, Allison will sign books at a reception. His books will be available for sale.

His appearance is sponsored by the Words to Say It Visiting Writers Series, coordinated by Dan Albergotti, associate professor of English, who teaches poetry classes. Call 843-340-2420 for more information.