Dartmouth author Catherine McLaughlin will be signing copies of her first novel "Blue Collars" in a pre-release event on Tuesday, June 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. Her book will be published later in June.

Set in New Bedford's South End, "Blue Collars" is the story of young Fiona "Finn" Kilroy who lives in a diverse immigrant neighborhood alongside other families whose relatives work in the mills. A terrible secret haunts Finn's childhood, and her determination to survive and forgive is tested.

McLaughlin grew up in New Bedford, and now lives in Dartmouth. She taught English and writing for 40 years at Framingham State University and UMass Dartmouth, and she has previously published a book of poems "Under a Circus Moon" in 2015.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. The library is located at 7 Barstow Street in Mattapoisett Village, and it is handicapped accessible.