Nicholas Sparks Explained

Nicholas Sparks
Birth Name:Nicholas Charles Sparks
Birth Date:1965 12, mf=yes
Birth Place:Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Alma Mater:University of Notre Dame
Children:5

Nicholas Charles Sparks (born December 31, 1965) is an American novelist, screenwriter, and film producer. He has published 24 novels, 16 of which are New York Times bestsellers,[1] [2] and two works of nonfiction, with over 130 million copies sold worldwide (92 million in the U.S. alone) in more than 50 languages.[1] [3] Among his works are The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and Message in a Bottle all of which, along with eight other books, have been adapted as feature films.[4]

Early life and education

Nicholas Sparks was born on December 31, 1965, in Omaha, Nebraska.[5] His father, Patrick Michael Sparks, was a business professor and his mother, Jill Emma Marie Sparks (née Thoene), was a homemaker and an optometrist's assistant.[6] Sparks' father was of English and Irish ancestry and his mother was of German and Czech ancestry.[7] He was the middle of three children, with an older brother, Michael Earl "Micah" Sparks (born 1964), and a younger sister, Danielle "Dana" Sparks Lewis (1966–2000), who died at the age of 33 from a brain tumor, an event that inspired his novel A Walk to Remember.[8] As a child, Sparks lived in Watertown, Minnesota; Inglewood, California; Playa Del Rey, California; and Grand Island, Nebraska, before the family settled in Fair Oaks, California in 1974.[7]

In 1984, Sparks graduated valedictorian of Bella Vista High School.[9] He began writing while attending the University of Notre Dame on a track and field scholarship, majoring in business finance and graduating magna cum laude.[10] Sparks wrote his first, never published, novel, The Passing in 1985 and a second unpublished novel called The Royal Murders in 1989. He married Cathy Cote in 1989 and moved to New Bern, North Carolina.[11]

Literary career

Sparks' first published book was Wokini: A Lakota Journey to Happiness and Self-Understanding,[12] a nonfiction book co-written by Billy Mills about Lakota spiritual beliefs and practices, published by Feather Publishing. The book sold 50,000 copies in its first year after release.[13]

In 1995, literary agent Theresa Park secured a $1 million advance for The Notebook from Time Warner Book Group, the book that became Sparks’s breakthrough novel.[14] Published in October 1996, the novel made The New York Times bestseller list in its first week of release and eventually spent fifty-six weeks there.

In 1998, after the publication of The Notebook, Sparks wrote Message in a Bottle which, in 1999, became the first of his novels to be adapted for film in 1999. In total, eleven of his novels have been adapted as films: Message in a Bottle (1999), A Walk to Remember (2002), The Notebook (2004), Nights in Rodanthe (2008), Dear John (2010), The Last Song (2010), The Lucky One (2012), Safe Haven (2013), The Best of Me (2014), The Longest Ride (2015), and The Choice (2016).[15] He has also sold the screenplay adaptations of True Believer and At First Sight.

Including The Notebook, fifteen of Sparks's novels have been No. 1 New York Times Best Sellers, and all of his novels have been both New York Times and international bestsellers.[16] Sparks has also often been listed on Forbes annual highest-paid authors lists.[17]

In September 2020, Sparks published his twenty-first novel The Return and followed that up with The Wish in 2021 and Dreamland in 2022, each of which were optioned as films.[18]

Personal life

Sparks lives in New Bern, North Carolina. He has three sons and twin daughters. In 2015, he divorced Cathy Cote, his wife of 25 years.[19] [20]

Philanthropy

In 2008, Sparks donated nearly $900,000[21] for a new, all-weather tartan track to New Bern High School, where he has also volunteered to coach.[22] The same year, he also donated "close to $10 million" to start a private school, The Epiphany School of Global Studies.[23] [24] Sparks has also funded scholarships, internships, and annual fellowships at the University of Notre Dame Creative Writing Program. In 2012, he founded The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a nonprofit that funds global education experiences for students, which has donated more than $15 million to charities, scholarship programs, and other projects.[25]

Adaptations

11 of Sparks's books have been turned into films, four of which he produced, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, and Safe Haven. Seven other of his books have also adapted for film: The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John, The Last Song, and The Notebook.[26] Films based on his novels have grossed $889,615,166 worldwide, while the Rotten Tomatoes scores range from 11% for The Choice[27] to 53% for The Notebook, the most critically acclaimed film based on his work.[28]

In April 2021, it was announced that a film adaptation of The Return was in development. Tom Dean joined the production as director, with the project developed by Bisous Pictures, and MRC Films, while MRC will serve as distributing company. Sparks will serve as a producer alongside Elizabeth Cantillon, and Theresa Park.[29] [30] In May of the same year, it was announced that three additional films based on novels by the author were in development for distribution by Universal Pictures. The company signed a first-look deal with Sparks, with intentions being that a long-term working relationship follow; the three movies will be joint-venture productions between Universal Pictures and Anonymous Content. The Wish will be the first book to be developed by the studio, followed by Dreamland, and an as-of-yet unspecified third adaptation. The Wish will see Sparks serve as producer, alongside Park, and Zack Hayden.[31] [32] [33] [34]

In February 2024, Sparks stated that there were at that point four of his books in development for film adaptations. The author expressed interest in adaptations for The Guardian and See Me, stating that the latter may be suited for a miniseries.[35] In October of the same year, it was announced that a feature film adaptation of Counting Miracles was in development. Alan Ritchson is star in the leading role, in addition to serving as producer. The project will be a joint-venture production between Amazon MGM Studios, AllyCat Entertainment, Industry Entertainment, and Di Novi Pictures. Denise Di Novi, Margaret French Isaac, and Theresa Park will also serve as producers.[36]

In January 2025, it was announced that Sparks had collaborated with M. Night Shyamalan on an original story they co-wrote, which is described as a supernatural romantic thriller. Sparks authored the novel, while Shyamalan served as screenwriter/director for the film adaptation. Jake Gyllenhaal stars in the movie, while Shyamalan produced alongside Ashwin Rajan, Theresa Park, and Marc Bienstock. Blinding Edge Pictures was the production studio, while Warner Bros. will distribute.[37] In April 2025, it was revealed that the title of the film was Remain.[38] According to Sparks, his manager tasked him with developing "an original story that you think will fit [Shyamalan's] audience and yours — and he's going to do the same thing." After sharing their ideas at a first meeting, Shyamalan decided to go with Sparks' story.[39] [40] The film is scheduled to be released on February 5, 2027.[41]

In February 2025, it was announced that a new adaptation of A Walk to Remember was in development. The project will be a joint-venture production between Monarch Media, Di Novi Pictures, and Roserock Films; with the movie produced by Steve Barnett, Alan Powell, Vicky Patel, Denise Di Novi, Margaret French-Isaac, Hunt Lowry, and Patty Reed.[42]

Film

YearTitleScreenwriterProducerDirectorNotesBox officeRT
1999Message in a BottleLuis MandokiBased on the novel of the same name.$118,880,016[43] 32%[44]
2002A Walk to RememberAdam ShankmanBased on the novel of the same name.$47,494,916[45] 27%[46]
2004The NotebookNick CassavetesBased on the novel of the same name.$115,603,229[47] 53%
2008Nights in RodantheGeorge C. WolfeBased on the novel of the same name.$84,375,061[48] 30%[49]
2010Dear JohnLasse HallströmBased on the novel of the same name.$114,977,104[50] 29%[51]
2010The Last SongJulie Anne RobinsonBased on the novel of the same name.$89,041,656[52] 21%[53]
2012The Lucky OneScott HicksBased on the novel of the same name.$99,357,138[54] 21%[55]
2013Safe HavenLasse HallströmBased on the novel of the same name.$97,594,140[56] 13%[57]
2014The Best of MeMichael HoffmanBased on the novel of the same name.$35,926,213[58] 12%[59]
2015The Longest RideGeorge Tillman Jr.Based on the novel of the same name.$62,944,815[60] 31%[61]
2016The ChoiceRoss KatzBased on the novel of the same name.$23,420,878[62] 11%
2027RemainM. Night ShyamalanThe novel of the same name (and this film), based on an original story co-written with Shyamalan.
Total $

TV

Works

Novels

Nonfiction

Notes and References

  1. Author Nicholas Sparks Almost Wasn't One: The Counting Miracles Writer Reveals How He Got His Start (Exclusive) . October 5, 2024 . People Magazine . February 13, 2026 .
  2. Web site: Notebook Author Nicholas Sparks Inks First Look Deal with Universal . May 17, 2022 . Deadline . January 27, 2023.
  3. Web site: Every Nicholas Sparks Book in Order . Hachette Book Group . April 8, 2020.
  4. Web site: The 11 Best Nicholas Sparks Movies. April 2, 2019 . Oprah Daily . January 31, 2023.
  5. Web site: Nicholas Sparks. Britannica. January 31, 2023.
  6. Web site: Author Biography. University of Southampton. January 31, 2023.
  7. Book: Three Weeks With My Brother. Nicholas Sparks and Micah Sparks. Grand Central Publishing. 2006.
  8. Wurzburger . Andrea . January 25, 2022 . 'A Walk To Remember' Turns 20: Celebrate with These Throwbacks and Fun Facts from the Film . People.
  9. Web site: Author of Love. Notre Dame Magazine. January 27, 2023.
  10. Book: CliffNotes on Nicholas Sparks and Micah Sparks. CliffNotes.
  11. Nudd . Tim . January 6, 2015 . Nicholas Sparks and Wife Separate . People.
  12. Book: Billy Mills. Nicholas Sparks . Hay House. 978-1-56170-660-0. July 1999. 176. Wokini: A Lakota Journey to Happiness and Self-Understanding.
  13. Web site: Nicholas Sparks . . August 3, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151125064406/http://www2.ferrum.edu/thanlon//profwrit/nicholassparksbio.htm . November 25, 2015 .
  14. News: Nicholas Sparks hits a tear-soaked milestone. Washington Post. January 31, 2023.
  15. Web site: The 11 Best Nicholas Sparks Movies. April 2, 2019 . Oprah Daily. January 31, 2023.
  16. Web site: Nicholas Sparks Books. Barnes and Noble. January 31, 2023.
  17. Web site: Nicholas Sparks, 16 million. Forbes. January 31, 2023.
  18. Web site: Nicholas Sparks Sets Movie Deal at Universal Pictures. May 17, 2022 . Variety. January 31, 2023.
  19. Web site: Nudd. Tim. Nicholas Sparks and Wife Separate. January 6, 2015. People.
  20. Web site: 2015-01-06 . Nicholas Sparks And His Wife Split After 25 Years Of Marriage . 2024-07-08 . HuffPost . en.
  21. Web site: Cohen . Adam Buckley . The Philanthropist: Nicholas Sparks . Runner's World . 2008-10-24 . 2026-02-13.
  22. Buckley Cohen, Adam. "Nicholas Sparks." Runner's World 43.12 (2008): 70–71. Web. September 29, 2012.
  23. True Believer The chemistry of Nicholas Sparks – The Notebook and Nights in Rodanthe scribe has penned 14 bestsellers in 14 years. Valby. Karen. October 10, 2008. Entertainment Weekly. 3 September 2009.
  24. Web site: The Epiphany School: Welcome . 27 September 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110923141610/http://epiphany-nb.org/517464.ihtml . September 23, 2011.
  25. Web site: Nicholas Sparks Foundation. June 15, 2020.
  26. Web site: Sparks Sets Movie Deal at Universal Pictures. May 17, 2022 . Variety. January 27, 2023.
  27. Web site: The Choice. Rotten Tomatoes. February 1, 2023.
  28. Web site: The Notebook. Rotten Tomatoes. February 1, 2023.
  29. Web site: MRC Film & Elizabeth Cantillon Acquire Nicholas Sparks Bestseller 'The Return'. Deadline. Fleming, Mike Jr.. April 28, 2021. June 19, 2023.
  30. Web site: MRC Film Names Its Romance Division, Appoints Sydney Fleischmann As VP Development And Production. Deadline. Grobar, Matt. July 15, 2022. June 19, 2023.
  31. Web site: 'The Notebook' Author Nicholas Sparks Inks First-Look Deal With Universal, Will Produce Three Features For Studio Alongside Anonymous Content; Adaptation Of His Novel 'The Wish' First Up. Deadline. Grobar, Matt. May 17, 2022. June 19, 2023.
  32. Web site: Three Nicholas Sparks novels are to be adapted for the big screen, including the latest bestseller, The Wish!. NicholasSparks.com. Sparks, Nicholas. May 17, 2022. June 19, 2023.
  33. Web site: Nicholas Sparks Sets Three Films, Including 'The Wish,' at Universal Pictures. Variety. Rubin, Rebecca. May 17, 2022. June 19, 2023.
  34. Web site: Nicholas Sparks Teases 'Dreamland' Movie. Yahoo!. Yahoo! staff. NBC Universal. February 13, 2023. June 19, 2023.
  35. Web site: Author Q&A with Nicholas Sparks. Amazon Live. Gellman, Sarah. February 12, 2024. February 1, 2025. I always thought that let's say See Me would be really good. I think that's a really neat story, I really the characters; that could be a good movie. It might be too much of a story, you might want a limited series. I think The Guardian, that one that was so hard for me to write, because I had to redo it; that's a neat balance between a love story and a thriller and that's challenging to do, so that would actually lend itself very well to film as well..
  36. Web site: Nicholas Sparks' 'Counting Miracles' Film Adaptation Set at Amazon Starring 'Reacher' Lead Alan Ritchson (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Maas, Jennifer. October 3, 2024. February 1, 2025.
  37. Web site: Jake Gyllenhaal To Star In New Original Film From M. Night Shyamalan And Nicholas Sparks. Deadline. Kroll, Justin. January 29, 2025. February 1, 2025.
  38. Web site: M. Night Shyamalan and Nicholas Sparks Team Up on Supernatural Love Story — See the Cover! (Exclusive). Thayer. Colson. April 22, 2025. People. May 10, 2025.
  39. Web site: The Notebook Author Nicholas Sparks Outlines His Rules for Writing Novels: 'What Are the Ages of the Characters Who Will Fall in Love?'. April 24, 2025. Cynthia. Littleton. Variety. May 10, 2025.
  40. Web site: M. Night Shyamalan, Jake Gyllenhaal to film movie in RI. Paul Edward. Parker. The Providence Journal. April 10, 2025. May 10, 2025.
  41. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . M. Night Shyamalan & Nicholas Sparks' Feature Take Of 'Remain' Moves Closer To Valentine's Day 2027 . Deadline . February 6, 2026 . February 13, 2026.
  42. Web site: Monarch Media Developing ‘A Walk To Remember’ Reboot. Deadline. Grobar, Matt. February 27, 2025. October 14, 2025.
  43. Web site: Message in a Bottle. Box Office Mojo.
  44. Web site: Message in a Bottle. Rotten Tomatoes. February 1, 2023.
  45. Web site: A Walk to Remember. Box Office Mojo.
  46. Web site: A Walk to Remember. Rotten Tomatoes. February 1, 2023.
  47. Web site: The Notebook. Box Office Mojo.
  48. Web site: Nights in Rodanthe. Box Office Mojo.
  49. Web site: Nights in Rodanthe. Rotten Tomatoes. February 1, 2023.
  50. Web site: Dear John. Box Office Mojo.
  51. Web site: Dear John. Rotten Tomatoes. February 1, 2023.
  52. Web site: The Last Song. Box Office Mojo.
  53. Web site: The Last Song. Rotten Tomatoes. February 1, 2023.
  54. Web site: The Lucky One. Box Office Mojo.
  55. Web site: The Lucky One. Rotten Tomatoes. February 1, 2023.
  56. Web site: Safe Haven. Box Office Mojo.
  57. Web site: Safe Haven. Rotten Tomatoes. February 1, 2023.
  58. Web site: The Best of Me. Box Office Mojo.
  59. Web site: The Best of Me. Rotten Tomatoes. February 1, 2023.
  60. Web site: The Longest Ride. Box Office Mojo.
  61. Web site: The Longest Ride. Rotten Tomatoes. February 1, 2023.
  62. Web site: The Choice. Box Office Mojo.
  63. News: Noah and Allie Forever! The CW Is Developing The Notebook for TV. Us Weekly . August 11, 2015.
  64. Web site: Nicholas Sparks . The Uprising Creative . August 25, 2016 . August 13, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220813061028/https://nicholassparks.com/category/film-tv/ . dead .
  65. Web site: Deliverance Creek (2014) . . 2020-05-04.
  66. Web site: The Return . NicholasSparks.com .
  67. Web site: The Wish . NicholasSparks.com .

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