Catherine Ryan Hyde

Catherine Ryan Hyde is an American author who has made a significant impact in the literary world with her works of fiction and non-fiction. Born in 1955, Hyde has found success in both the U.S and the U.K, earning numerous awards and honors for her writing. She is the author of over 40 published and forthcoming books, including "Dreaming of Flight," "Boy Underground," "Seven Perfect Things," and "My Name is Anton."

In addition to her writing, Hyde is a passionate public speaker, having been invited to speak at the National Conference on Education, Cornell University, and alongside former President Bill Clinton for three speeches. She is also an avid hiker, traveler, and equestrian, and has a love for photography and astrophotography. Hyde is the founder and former president of the Pay It Forward Foundation, and has served on its board of directors for over 20 years.

One of Hyde's most well-known works is the 1999 novel "Pay It Forward," which was made into a major Warner Brothers motion picture. The novel was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list and has been translated into over 23 languages for distribution in over 30 countries. The paperback version of the novel became a national bestseller, and a young readers' edition was released in 2014.

Hyde's writing has been honored in several contests and anthologies, including the Raymond Carver Short Story Contest, the Tobias Wolff Award, and the Best American Short Stories. She has also had three of her stories cited in Best American Short Stories. In addition to her novels, Hyde has published a book of photos, "365 Days of Gratitude: Photos from a Beautiful World," and a book-length creative nonfiction, "The Long, Steep Path: Everyday Inspiration from the Author of Pay It Forward." She also co-authored a self-help guide for writers with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, "How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide."