Best-selling author Neil Gaiman will present a lecture tonight at 8 in Campbell Hall.

The author of The Sandman graphic novel series, The Graveyard Book, Stardust and American Gods, Gaiman will be speaking on writing and imagining the future through creativity. Gaiman has dabbled in film as well: He co-wrote the script for Robert Zemeckis’ “Beowulf” and penned the novel Coraline, which was later adapted by Henry Selick as a horror-fantasy film by the same title.

Gaiman said he looks forward to speaking about his vivid imagination and appreciation for literature to the UCSB community.

“[I am most excited to share my] imagination and the fun of talking about what you love to a roomful of people,” Gaiman said.

Although Gaiman’s latest novel The Graveyard Book — inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book — has already won the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature, the author’s goals are much more ambitious.

“I’d like to write something that makes the people who read it so profoundly inspired and happy that spontaneous world peace breaks out and a new utopia springs from the ashes of today’s civilization,” Gaiman said.

According to Roman Baratiak, associate director of UCSB Arts & Lectures, Gaiman’s appearance brings diversity to this season’s programming. Baratiak praised Gaiman as a prolific and important writer who has unfortunately not yet received the proper recognition for his work.

“Writers have to create other worlds, live in them and give birth to them,” Baratiak said. “Hopefully he’ll be inspiring for aspiring writers and encourage people to really tap into their creative potential.”

Aside from lecturing, Gaiman will also speak at a private seminar for the College of Creative Studies, giving students the opportunity to interact with him in a more intimate setting. This is the author’s second time addressing students from the college.

Erica Lampkin, a fourth-year literature major, said she is thrilled to attend the literature symposium and see how his work relates to her class on magical realism.

“His work with the fantastical nature in literature and film is really unique and admirable,” Lampkin said.