Nicholas Sparks is a renowned American author, famous for his romance novels which often find their way to the big screen. With over 105 million copies sold worldwide, his books have been translated into more than 50 languages, including over 75 million copies in the United States alone. Sparks wrote one of his most famous works, 'The Notebook,' over a period of six months when he was 28 years old. This novel was published in 1996, and he went on to write several other bestsellers such as 'Message in a Bottle,' 'A Walk to Remember,' 'The Rescue,' 'A Bend in the Road,' 'Nights in Rodanthe,' 'The Guardian,' 'The Wedding,' 'True Believer,' 'Dear John,' 'The Choice,' 'The Lucky One,' 'The Last Song,' 'Safe Haven,' 'The Best of Me,' 'The Longest Ride,' 'See Me,' 'Two by Two,' 'Every Breath,' 'The Return,' and 'The Wish.' His latest novel, 'Dreamland,' was published on September 20, 2022.
Sparks' writing is deeply rooted in human experiences, and he has a unique ability to weave plots based on ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. His personal experiences in various walks of life, encounters with individuals, and imagination have contributed to creating endearing tales of the human spirit. Apart from being a prolific author, Sparks is also a storyteller for the stage and screen. His novels have been adapted into successful films, including 'The Notebook,' 'A Walk to Remember,' 'Message in a Bottle,' 'Nights in Rodanthe,' 'Dear John,' 'The Last Song,' and 'The Lucky One,' among others. These film adaptations have collectively grossed over three-quarters of a billion dollars worldwide. The Notebook has also been adapted into a musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.
Sparks is not only a successful author and storyteller but also a dedicated philanthropist. He contributes to various local and national charities and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame. At Notre Dame, he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. Sparks co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina, in 2006, to provide educational opportunities for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. As a former full scholarship athlete, he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4×400 meters, as well as US High School National Records in the 800 Medley and 1600 Medley.
The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011, to provide scholarships and fund educational programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs. Sparks' philanthropic efforts are a testament to his commitment to giving back to the community and creating opportunities for those in need.