Caren Lissner, Patch Staff

Hi! I'm a lifelong New Jersey resident who grew up in Matawan/Aberdeen, Freehold, and Old Bridge. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in the 1990s. After college, I spent 20 years as a beat reporter and editor at a newspaper chain in Hudson County, and have written for the Washington Post and Atlantic.com. I've also published two novels, one of which was adapted into a nerdy romantic comedy that's currently streaming on Netflix (called Carrie Pilby). I believe in the power of local journalism to do so much good in large and small ways. Reach me at caren.lissner@patch.com