Jeff Rackham to Give Reading Nov. 18

Jeff Rackham, author of the highly acclaimed new novel "The Rag and Bone Shop," will give a reading and book signing at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at UNC Asheville’s Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Based on actual events, "The Rag and Bone Shop" is a fictional exploration of Charles Dickens’ secret affair with Ellen Lawless Ternan, an 18 year-old vaudeville actress. Though the extent of their relationship remains unknown, Rackham builds in the few undisputed facts to create a captivating story.

Rackham, UNCA professor of literature and language, has served as a Fulbright Scholar in Portugal and Macedonia. In addition to publishing short fiction, he is the author of several scholarly collections and a standard college textbook on writing. "The Rag and Bone Shop," published by Zoland Books, is his first novel.

For more information, call UNCA’s Literature and Language Department, at 828/251-6411.

Media Contacts:

• Dr. Rick Chess, UNCA Associate Literature and Language Professor, 828/251-6576
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant, 828/251-6526