South Carolina author Gwen Hunter, the first guest of Coastal Carolina University's Writers in the Real World series, will present a workshop and lecture on Thursday, Oct. 18. The events, which are free and open to the public, will be held in the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts Building.

The workshop, scheduled from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Edwards Building 164, will focus on the practical aspects of getting published as a journalist or short story writer. Hunter will discuss literary agents, publishers and contracts, and will provide other very specific insights into the world of commercial writing.

During the lecture, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Edwards Building 152, Hunter will describe her life as a writer and discuss how she finds inspiration and organizes her literary life. After reading short passages from her books, she will conduct a question-and-answer session.

Hunter, who resides in Rock Hill, has written six mystery novels. Her latest book, Delayed Diagnosis, is a medical mystery set in a fictitious county in rural South Carolina. It was released by Harlequin's Mira Books in June.

The Writers in the Real World series was initiated by the Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts in order to showcase South Carolina authors and to offer a forum for students, faculty and members of the local community who are interested in the practical aspects of writing. This year the series will feature authors who focus on medical themes.

For more information, call 349-2444 or 349-2712.