Actor and civil servant Kal Penn has signed a book/audiobook deal with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt & Audible. The book will be a collection of essays set to be published in 2019.

The book will include his unique 21st-century American success story as he writes about ambition, the challenges of navigating Hollywood, and his unusual sabbatical from actor to White House staffer. From the sound of it, his role in the cult Harold and Kumar franchise, experiences with stereotypical auditions and his work with the Obama administration will give Penn plenty of material to sculpt a good read. Senior editor Kate Napolitano acquired the book in her first official deal since joining the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt last month.

Told with his signature wit and charm, the collection will be a humorous and inspiring take on what it means to take the path less traveled and how life can have more than one story. Audible will simultaneously release the audio version of the book, with Penn narrating.

In addition to his role in Harold and Kumar, Penn has an extensive list of film and TV credits. He plays POTUS speechwriter Seth Wright in Designated Survivor, which was renewed for a second season earlier this year and is the host of the unscripted competition series Superhuman.