Brad Parks, former reporter for The Washington Post and The Newark, N.J.,  Star-Ledger, and current award-winning author of mystery novels,will present an author talk and book signing, 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15, on the campus on Christopher Newport University in Newport News. His appearance is free to the public, but tickets are required.

Brad Parks is the only author to have won the Shamus, Nero and Left Awards. His book, Faces Of The Gone, was the first book in history to take both the Shamus and Nero awards. Library Journalhas called Parks' books "essential reading" and "a refreshing tonic for the mystery soul."

Free tickets for the author talk, question-and-answer session and book signing are available beginning Sunday, September 13, at the sponsoring libraries of the Virginia Peninsula Literary Consortium, which consists of the public libraries of Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson and York County and the academic libraries of Christopher Newport University, Hampton University and Thomas Nelson Community College.

Tickets will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to two per person while supplies last. Open seating to the event, to be held in the David Student Union at Christopher Newport University, is limited, and attendees are advised to arrive early. Ticket holders will be seated first; any remaining seats will then be open to the general public.

The Parks Event is the ninth free author event sponsored by the Virginia Peninsula Literary Consortium, which in the past few years presented the best-selling authors Orson Scott Card in 2010, Catherine Coulter in 2011, Nikki Giovanni in 2012, Jeff Shaara in 2013, and T.C. Boyle in 2014. The Consortium formed in 2006 to encourage the study and enjoyment of books and to foster cooperation among all types of libraries on the Peninsula.