Lifelong Learning at UCM presents “The Writing Life: The Good, the Bad, and the Reality” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, at Trails Regional Library, 432 N. Holden. Local author W. L. “Rip” Ripley will talk about his life as a writer and will provide tips to aspiring writers on how to get published. A question and answer session will follow his presentation. The program, free and open to the public, is co-sponsored by Trails Regional Library.

Ripley is the author of two critically acclaimed mystery series, one featuring ex-NFL star Wyatt Storme, and the other featuring Cole Springer, a former secret service agent. Ripley, a native Missourian, has also been a sportswriter, high school and college basketball coach, and a well-known educator in the area.

For information about this and other Lifelong Learning programs, visit Lifelong Learning on Facebook or the website www.ucmo.edu/LLL.