Undergraduates are warmly invited to join Princeton Writes‘ 2017-2018 visiting instructor, Joe Seldner, for dinner and conversation on Wednesday, April 18, from 7:00-8:00 p.m., in Mathey College’s Firestone Room (accessible from the Mathey/Rocky servery).

In “Adventures from a Life in Writing: Finding Success in Journalism, Politics, and Entertainment,” Seldner will share the lessons he has drawn from an eventful and eclectic career, including stints as creative director for two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks and as chief speechwriter for New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. Questions he plans to explore include: Just how transferable are writing skills? Can a good journalist be a good speechwriter? Can an opinion writer cover hard news? And is good academic writing at odds with good creative writing?

Seldner, who will also lead a workshop for staff entitled “Creative Writing? All Writing Can Be” in June, has wielded his pen to good effect in many contexts. A Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist, he has, in addition to filling the aforementioned roles, produced movies for HBO and others and influenced public perceptions as an opinion writer over the course of 30 years. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Magazine, and dozens of other publications. He has been a regular blogger for the Huffington Post and other platforms, as well as a senior communications advisor for various private and public organizations and individuals. He holds an MBA from Yale and degrees in journalism and psychology from Columbia.

Seating is limited, so don’t be late!