Students often wonder what professors do in their spare time.

Well, ponder no more. William Cobb, associate professor of English, will present a book reading and signing at 7 tonight at Webster's Bookstore Café, 128 S. Allen St.

Cobb, who teaches fiction writing, has had several books published in the last few years. His first novel, The Fire Eaters, won him the Associate Writing Programs award.

His most recent book, The White Tattoo, was released last spring and is available at Webster's.

In addition to his writing career, he was the director of the master's of fine arts program for four years. Though he cites a variety of famous authors as his inspiration, Cobb said he does not simply retell their stories or even stick to their styles.

He said his books are not easy to sum up.

"They have been characterized as 'shocking' and 'outrageous,' " Cobb said. "I believe that characters are action, and I try to describe them by the troubles they are in."

Charlotte Holmes, associate professor of English and a friend of Cobb's for eight years, described his writing as "very edgy."

"His characters are consciously or unconsciously cruel to each other; they are in it for themselves," Holmes said.

"His stories have a very, very dark humor as well, and his observations are dead-on. It's a joy to read someone who takes such care in his sentences."

Though Cobb has only read in State College a few times, Holmes said tonight's presentation should be engaging for the audience.

"He read very well, and I remember the audience laughing a lot," she said, recalling a book reading from a few years ago.

Cobb plans to read some new, unpublished work. Elaine Meder, co-owner of Webster's, said Cobb will read for about 20 minutes and then sign copies of The White Tattoo.

He might also bring some out-of-print copies of his first book, The Fire Eaters.

"These book-readings usually draw anywhere from 10 to 60 people," Meder said. "There's a mix of students, faculty and people just wandering through."

Tonight's reading should add insight and perspective to this local author's creative, thought-provoking fiction.

And, if Cobb has anything to do about it, this event will also be entertaining.

"I will do my best not to bore them," Cobb said.