A historian and a novelist will take part in Lit Youngstown’s next First Wednesday Reader Series event.

Ben Lariccia is a Youngstown native who taught for 30 years in Philadelphia. With Joe Tucciarone, Lariccia authored two studies on early Italian immigration, “Coal War in the Mahoning Valley: The Origin of Greater Youngstown’s Italians” and “Italians Swindled to New York: False Promises at the Dawn of Immigration.”

Abby Vandiver, who also writes as Abby Collette, is a bestselling author internationally who has had success in both self-publishing and traditional publishing. She’s written more than 30 books and short stories.

Vandiver has a bachelor’s degree in economics, a master’s degree in public administration and a law degree. A former lawyer and visiting college professor of economics, she resides in South Euclid.

The program starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday on the main stage at Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown. Admission is free.

Elyssa Pallone will cohost, with an open mic to follow. Meagan Albani will provide ASL interpretation. For more information, go to lityoungstown.org