UNC Asheville's 2007-08 Writers at Home Series continues with readings by local writers Patti Digh and Neela Rao at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at Malaprop's Bookstore/Café, 55 Haywood St., downtown Asheville. Writers at Home is part of the Great Smokies Writing Program, a consortium of Western North Carolina writers and UNC Asheville. The event is free and open to the public.

Digh will read from her upcoming book, "37days," which is due for release in early 2008 from Globe Pequot Press. The book is based on her award-winning blog and explores social issues such as racism, sexism, ageism and homophobia through story. Based in Asheville, Digh travels around the world to explore these challenges with communities, corporations, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions.

Rao graduated from Barnard College and Sarah Lawrence College with degrees in literature and writing. Her short fiction has won the Peter S. Prescott Prize and the Howard M. Teichmann Award for writing. Rao currently works in public mental health in Asheville.

For more information, call Tommy Hays, executive director for the Great Smokies Writing Program, at 828/254-1389.