Alistair MacLeod presents the inaugural reading for the new Canadian Writers series at 7 p.m. Friday, March 31, in the Alumni Lounge on Ferry Mallat Wayne State University.

MacLeod will read from his first novel, No Great Mischief, whose1999 publication the Toronto Star called "the literary event of the season."

His short story collections, As Birds Bring Forth the Sun, 1986, and The Lost Salt Gift of Blood, 1976, prompted critic Michael Ondaatje to dub MacLeod "one of the greatest undiscovered writers of our time."

The writer is a resident of Windsor and teaches English on the faculty of the University of Windsor.

The WSU Canadian Studies Program and the Writers Voice of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit sponsor the reading with the financial assistance of the government of Canada.

A light reception will follow the reading. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information contact Janet Langlois, WSU department of English, (313) 577-7708,ad5634@wayne.edu or Bradd Burningham, WSU University Libraries, (313) 577-3436, ae7965@wayne.edu.