Nicholas Sparks, 48, is best known for his romance novels, with over 97 million copies sold worldwide. Nine of his novels have been turned into films, and two more are currently being adapted into films. Sparks, originally from Omaha, Nebraska, currently resides in New Bern, North Carolina. All of his novels are set in North Carolina, and many of the film adaptations were filmed in the state.

All of Sparks' novels have been New York Times bestsellers:

  • The Notebook (1996)
  • Message in a Bottle (1998)
  • A Walk to Remember (1999)
  • The Rescue (2000)
  • A Bend in the Road (2001)
  • Nights in Rodanthe (2002)
  • The Guardian (2003)
  • The Wedding (2003)
  • Three Weeks With My Brother (2004) (Co-written with his brother Micah)
  • True Believer (2005)
  • At First Sight (2005) (Sequel to True Believer)
  • Dear John(2006)
  • The Choice (2007)
  • The Lucky One (2008)
  • The Last Song (2009)
  • Safe Haven(2010)
  • The Best of Me (2011)
  • The Longest Ride (2013)

In 2012, after producing several of his film adaptations, Sparks started his own film production company, Nicholas Sparks Productions. The company currently has a deal with Warner Brothers Television.

Aside from his involvement with the writing and entertainment industries, Sparks is a major contributor to several charities. Sparks and his wife, Catherine, founded the Nicholas Sparks Foundation in 2011. The foundation is committed to "improving cultural and international understanding through global education experiences for students of all ages." Through both their foundation and personal gifts, the Sparks' have given over $10 million to various philanthropic causes.

As a resident of New Bern, Sparks has given back to the community. New Bern, a small coastal town in North Carolina, has gained fame from Sparks' love stories. Sparks and his wife have given back to the town by founding a Christian school, The Epiphany School of Global Studies. The Sparks' "envisioned a school with an extraordinary college-preparatory program and global focus, where the Judeo-Christian commitment to Love God and Your Neighbor as Yourself is an ethical commitment, significant Christian traditions are celebrated…"

Before starting his own school, Sparks coached track and field at New Bern High School and the Track Eastern Carolina running club. In 2009, his New Bern High School team set the 4x400 meter World Junior Indoor Record; the record still stands. As a former college track and field runner at the University of Notre Dame, Sparks saw the importance of teamwork and athleticism and continues to promote those ideals. 

Sources:

http://nicholassparks.com/about/

http://www.famousauthors.org/nicholas-sparks

http://www.epiphanyglobalschool.org

http://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/philanthropist-nicholas-sparks

 

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