MONMOUTH, Ill. — Novelist Fred Johnson will read from his works on April 7 at 7 p.m. in the Rankin Room in Monmouth College’s Admission/College Relations Building.

The facility is located on the corner of East Broadway and N. Sixth St., and the event is free and open to the public.

“Fred Johnson is an up-and-coming author who writes to defy the stereotypes about African-American men,” said MC English professor Mary Bruce. “I am using one of his novels in Senior Seminar to great effect.”

Johnson, a former U.S. Marine, teaches history at Hope College. His first novel, “Bittersweet,” was published in early 2002, and his second novel, “A Man Finds His Way,” has just been released.

While on campus, Johnson will also meet with several classes and talk to English majors. His visit is sponsored by the college’s Public Affairs Committee.