Biography

Author Nicholas Sparks Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. All of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, with over 89 million copies in print worldwide, in over 50 languages, including over 50 million copies in the United States alone, and his popularity continues to soar.

Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 by Warner Books. He followed with the novels 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), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010) and The Best of Me (2011), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah.

Safe Haven, filmed in Southport, North Carolina is scheduled for release on February 14, 2013, and marks Sparks’s eighth film adaptation, following The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, which thus far have a cumulative worldwide gross of nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars.

Sparks lives in North Carolina with his family. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. Along with his wife, he founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) 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 x400 meter, in New York. The record still stands.

In 2011, Nicholas and his wife launched the Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to improving cultural and international understanding through global education experiences for students of all ages. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of Nicholas and Catherine Sparks, more than $10 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because Nicholas and Catherine Sparks cover all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.

On April 19-22, 2012, he launched the inaugural Nicholas Sparks Celebrity Family Weekend and Golf Tournament in New Bern, North Carolina, a weekend devoted to raising awareness and funds for the Foundation. Sparks and his family hosted stars from the worlds of sports, music, movies and television, along with fans, for a full calendar of events, raising over $500,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nicholas answers several questions unrelated to any of his works. Want to know why he writes the way he does, what he does in his free time, or what he’s working on now? Read the questions and answers below.

For Nicholas’s answers questions about the books he’s written, view our individual book pages for book specific FAQs. Please note that answers may give away important plot points about the books. If you haven’t read a particular book, proceed with caution as you will encounter “spoilers.”

General FAQs

When will Nicholas's next book be out?
Nicholas's next novel, The Longest Ride, is scheduled for released on September 17, 2013. For ongoing information, please sign up for Nicholas's mailing list or follow updates on Facebook and Twitter.

When will Nicholas's next movie be in theaters? on DVD?
The Lucky One is now available on DVD and for home viewing with the Safe Haven DVD and downloading coming soon.

When will I be able to see Nicholas's TV shows?
Nicholas Sparks Productions has three television shows that have been green lit for development by cable networks, but they are still in the early stages.

When is Nicholas's next signing in my area?
Nicholas adds events throughout the year and his current appearances schedule is listed here on the website. Nicholas's next international book tour will be announced in mid to late 2013.

FAQs Answered by Nicholas

Why are all of your novels set in North Carolina?
Because I live in North Carolina and am familiar with the area, because few other novelists write about the area, and because I want to create a sense of familiarity when readers buy each novel.

Why do you write love stories?
I chose that genre because there was little to no competition.

Do you ever incorporate anything from your own romantic life into your books?
Not necessarily. Some of my stories have been family stories but as far as my own romantic life, I guess the closest you can say about that is that most of the women characters in my novels are very similar to my wife in a lot of ways.

Which one of your books would you say is the most interesting book you’ve written?
Interesting for me, or interesting for the reader? I can’t answer the latter, and as for the former, it’s hard to say. I’m passionately interested in every novel as I write it, and later, even as I reread it.

Which of your novels have been adapted for film?
The Notebook, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John , The Last Song, The Lucky One and Safe Haven.

How can I get a signed copy of one of your books? How can I get a signed photograph?
Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming volume of such requests and time constraints, I cannot respond to any individual requests for signed books or signed photographs. The Nicholas Sparks Foundation does offer signed copies of my books as an ongoing fundraising initiative. If you are interested in ordering a signed book or finding out more about my foundation and its program of planned giving, please visit our website at NicholasSparksFoundation.org

I’ve heard that you have written screenplays. Is that right?
Yes. I adapted The Guardian into a screenplay, though it has not been offered to Hollywood to this point. I also wrote the screenplay for The Last Song, as well as a "spec" script called One Square Mile, together with an old college friend, Jeff Van Wie.

Will you read my manuscript and tell me what you think? Will you forward my manuscript to your agent or editor? Or can you recommend an agent for me?
To avoid any litigation problems, I have been advised by my attorneys not to read manuscripts that have not already been accepted by publishers. For the same reason, I can’t forward your manuscript to my agent or editor, nor can I recommend an agent for you. However, I am fully aware of the difficulties in both writing a novel and finding an agent, especially for those who haven’t previously been published. To learn about the steps that I took when starting out, as well as what I have learned since, see For Writers.

What advice can you give me about writing?
See For Writers.

Do you get a chance to meet the stars of your movies?
Yes. I usually visit the set of each film a couple of times and meet everyone involved.

How do you feel about the film versions of your books?
I am very pleased with all films on a number of levels. It’s important to understand that films and novels are different mediums and tell stories in different ways. What works well in novels doesn’t work well on film and vice versa. For example, introspection works well in books but not in film. A car chase works well on film and uses only two minutes to show what might take twenty pages to write. Also, a typical novel runs 350 pages while a screenplay runs 120. In other words, two-thirds of any novel is automatically eliminated before the first page of a screenplay is even written. With that in mind, I tend to look for the following: did the film follow the basic outline of the novel? Did the film capture the major theme of the novel? Were the characters consistent with those described in the novel? Was the film satisfying when compared to other films? Was the film successful? In that regard, I feel like all the films have succeeded.

Do you accept story ideas from other people?
To avoid any litigation problems, I have been advised by my attorneys not to look at or accept story ideas.

How long does it take you to write a novel? Do you work every day? How many hours per day?
It can take as long as three months to conceive of a story, and during those periods, I simultaneously work on projects for television or film, outline possible ideas both mentally and on paper, go on book and film tours, work with foreign and domestic publishers, and handle the paperwork associated with being an author. Once I finalize a story concept and begin writing, my work schedule can vary depending on where I am in a particular novel, since some sections are easier to write than others. I generally work five or six days a week. My goal is to complete 2,000 words each day, and that can take anywhere from three to eight hours, usually averaging five hours. Generally, I start around 9:00 a.m. and try to finish by 2:00 p.m. I have, however, written at all hours of the day and night. I generally work at home, although I’ve also been known to write while touring. Sometimes I need quiet, other times it doesn’t matter. Sometimes I listen to music, other times not. Sometimes I write with the television on (I like watching DVDs of old television shows), but other times I don’t. In the end, it usually takes four or five months to complete a novel, not counting editing, which adds an additional month or so.

Do you have a lot of input when it comes to adapting your work into film?
I have some input, though it varies from project to project. I read the screenplays, and I will offer suggestions if asked to do so. I am not involved with casting, budgets, location, or other assignments best left to those in the film business.

What do you read?
I usually read about 125 books a year, and I have been a voracious reader since I was young. I read commercial fiction, selected modern literary fiction, assorted Penguin Classics, history and biography. For my personal recommendations, click on Recommended Reading.

Who are your favorite authors?
Due to the volume of books I read, it’s impossible to choose a favorite. I have said publicly, however, that the only modern contemporary writer of fiction that I feel certain will be read 100 years from now is Stephen King, and I am a great admirer of Mr. King’s work.

Where do you get your ideas?
That’s a question even I can’t answer, though I do admit that the ideas never come easily. Because my novels deal with universal themes and universal characters, it’s difficult to conceive of an entertaining, interesting, and original story that hasn’t been told before, either in a book or in a film. Generally, I work through hundreds of ideas and characters (a process that can take months) before finally making my decision and beginning to write.

What is your remedy for writer’s block?
When I’m blocked, it’s nearly always because—subconsciously—I know I’ve made a mistake either with character development, structure, or story. It’s as if my mind tells me that I’d better stop because I’m heading in the wrong direction. Thus, I find myself writing more slowly until I simply can’t write anymore—a classic case of writer’s block. In a situation like that, I quit trying to press forward and instead ponder the book, or I begin to edit the previously written sections. I might go through everything I’ve already written a hundred times, tweaking and changing little things, as if trying to navigate my way through a darkened room. And little by little, I find those errors. Once they’re corrected, I find that I can then begin writing new material. The problem, however, is that I seldom know in advance what I did wrong. I know it’s wrong, but not where, what, why, how, or when. Thus, I make changes and change them back .... It can be a long process, but it always eventually works out.

How many copies have your novels sold?
Worldwide, my books have sold an estimated 80 million copies to date.

What do you want your readers to take away from your novels?
Generally speaking, I set out to write an easy-to-read, entertaining, original love story with a poignant ending, one that generates genuine emotion. That’s what I’d like my readers to take away. In terms of style, I attempt to write with efficiency, conciseness, and originality in uncluttered, vigorous prose.

When did you begin writing?
I wrote my first novel at age nineteen, and my second novel at twenty-two. Neither of those novels have been published. At twenty-five, I co-wrote a book with Billy Mills, the 1964 Olympic 10,000-meter gold medallist, entitled Wokini. At twenty-eight, I wrote The Notebook, my first published novel. For more detailed information, see Biography.

How much do you know about the story before you begin? For instance, do you know the end of the story in advance?
Once I’ve decided on the theme, I start to mentally outline the story and run through possible ideas. Before I start writing, I know how the story begins and ends, as well as five or six of the major events in the novel, which serve as turning points. Once I have those things, I’m ready to begin. Most of what happens in between the five or six major events is created as I proceed.

How do you approach character motivation?
Character motivation differs from character to character and novel to novel, but as a general rule, all of my characters are motivated by the nobler parts of human character—honesty, integrity, kindness, bravery and loyalty.

What is the first step you take in writing a new novel?
The first step is to come up with a general theme, one that influences the style in which it’s written, the proper narrative voice, the appropriate characters and settings, and the length of the novel.

Do you work from an outline?
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. For example, The Notebook was written without an outline. Message in a Bottle had no outline for the first 120 pages and had a highly detailed outline for the last 120 pages. The Guardian had a detailed outline, but for The Wedding, only the last half had an outline. In other words, it differs from book to book.

Do you write longhand or work on a computer?
I write on a computer.

To what do you attribute the popularity of your novels?
Some of the reasons readers and critics have given for the books’ popularity are as follows: the novels are easy-to-read and entertaining, the reader is made to feel like "a fly on the wall" and feels involved in the story, readers can relate to the characters, the stories are believable, as if they could happen to anyone, they "generate authentic emotional power" (USA Today), they are romantic and sweet, there’s a lack of profanity, the love scenes are left more to the imagination than described, and they make readers both laugh and cry. With respect to the success of my first novel, The Notebook, specifically, there were a number of factors that contributed to its popularity: tremendous support from the publisher (for which I’m immensely grateful), the length of the tour, a beautiful cover, support from booksellers, etc. It’s important to realize that none of those things guarantee success, however. The publishing world is littered with high-priced, high-profile first novels that never hit the list at all. These days, it seems there are only three ways for an author to hit the best-seller list with a first novel. One, have the novel recommended by Oprah (all of the books she’s chosen for Oprah’s Book Club have become bestsellers, first time authors included). Two, have the novel receive wide and lavish critical acclaim, thereby triggering the interest of major media, i.e., Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. Or three, write a novel that has good word of mouth, (a well-written book that people read and enjoy and feel compelled to recommend to others), i.e., The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells. The Notebook was a word of mouth book. (Note: The three ways are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Among Oprah’s picks are novels by the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.)

Is it true that all of your novels are based on your own life?
My novels aren’t so much based on my life as they are inspired by events in my own life. But even that degree of similarity doesn’t apply to all of my books. For instance, Nights in Rodanthe, was entirely fictional. For a further discussion of this question, please see the book specific FAQs.

Do you care what the critics write about your work?
There is a general misconception about critical reviews of my novels, i.e., that most reviews have been less than kind. In fact, four out of every five reviews are positive and though that pleases me, I have always written, and will continue to write, stories for myself and those who enjoy my work.

As a man, how do you feel about writing love stories?
The love story is one of the oldest and most explored genres in literature. For example, The Iliad‘s Trojan War was fought over the love of a woman. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was a love story. Because of the three requirements in this particular genre—(a) originality, (b) universality of character and setting, and (c) a plot interesting enough to keep the pages turning—and the fact that the defining conflict is generally internal, it’s among the most difficult genres in which to work. It’s easy to write a story or create a character featuring two of the three requirements (Hannibal Lecter is interesting and original, but not universal, for instance; Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton is original and interesting, but not universal), but combining all three is easier said than done. It’s the same with the challenge of internal conflict. External conflict (a crime to be solved, a killer on the loose, a monster in the woods, a terrorist threatening disaster, a young boy learning magic) is much easier to write in a way that keeps the reader interested than internal conflict (will Garrett Blake be able to put his past behind him? Will Allie remember Noah?). It’s also difficult to employ universal, internal conflict without resorting to timeworn cliches, which I work hard to avoid. With that said, I enjoy the challenge this genre presents. It’s also interesting to note that in recent history, men tend to have written more successfully in this genre than women. (Women, on the other hand, dominate the romance novel genre.) For example, Love Story was written by Erich Segal, The Bridges of Madison County was written by Robert James Waller, The Horse Whisperer was written by Nicholas Evans, so I am not alone.

How do you write women so well?
First, I’d like to thank those who’ve asked this question. I’m honored! But answering that question isn’t easy. I try to write both men and women well, but to answer the question specificially, it probably comes down to the fact that the women in my life have always been important as individuals and role models for me. I had a wonderful mother, I married a fantastic lady, and both my agent and editor are female. All are terrific people to learn from.

Will you ever write in another genre?
In the future, maybe, but only if I believe I could tell the story well. Right now, I’m satisfied with writing dramatic fiction, and there are no plans to branch out. (That said, I have written two nonfiction novels, Wokini with Billy Mills and Three Weeks With My Brother, a memoir.)

What is the difference between a love story and a romance novel?
It’s equivalent to the difference between a "legal thriller" and a "techno-thriller." In that instance, both novels include many of the same elements: suspense, good and bad forces pitted against each other, scenes that build to a major plot point, etc. But aside from the obvious, those novels are in different sub-genres and the sub-genres have different requirements. For instance, legal thrillers generally have a court room scene on center stage, techno-thrillers use the world or a city as their setting. Legal thrillers explore the nuances of law, techno-thrillers explore the nuances of scientific or military conflict. The same situation applies with romance novels and love stories. Though both have romantic elements, the sub-genres have different requirements. Love stories must use universal characters and settings. Romance novels are not bound by this requirement and characters can be rich, famous, or people who lived centuries ago, and the settings can be exotic. Love stories can differ in theme, romance novels have a general theme—"the taming of a man." And finally, romance novels usually have happy endings while love stories are not bound by this requirement. Love stories usually end tragically or, at best, on a bittersweet note.

Why do so many of your stories involve death?
I suppose there are a few reasons that my stories include tragic elements. The first is that tragic or bittersweet elements are part of what define a love story (much like a "happy ending" to a romance novel, or the hero triumphing in a thriller.) The reason for that is that a love story is primarily a dramatic story, and the best dramatic stories allow the readers to experience a full range of emotions. Hopefully, my readers feel a bit of everything—empathy, hopefulness, happiness, love, anger and sadness—as they turn the pages of my novels. This principle is best captured by the statement (which I didn’t invent): "All great love stories, by definition, must end in tragedy." Without great love, there’s no tragedy and vice versa. Also, my stories are supposed to seem real (as opposed to fantastic) and tragedy is part of everyone’s life. The final reason is that most of my novels are inspired by events in my family, and sadly, that was the way that most of the family stories ended.

Is it true you wrote two novels before The Notebook was published, and if so, will you ever publish them?
Yes, it’s true, but no, they will never be seen. I regard the work on those novels as an apprenticeship of sorts, one that showed me that I not only enjoyed writing stories, but that I had the ability to finish a novel once I’d started. However, I don’t feel they are well-written enough to be published.

Why do you write books?
I enjoy, and have always enjoyed, reading, and my ability to write and interest in a writing career grew out of that. While I generally avoid cliches, the following is apt: I don’t live to write, I write to live.

What are your hobbies?
In addition to writing, reading, and spending time with my five children, I run 30 miles a week, lift weights four times per week, and practice Tae Kwon Do. As a black belt, I have competed at both the regional and national levels.

Is it true that you answer all of your fan mail at least once?
At one time, I was able to answer all of my fan mail, but due to the sheer volume of letters I receive, I’m unfortunately unable to do so now. To answer everyone’s letter would impinge on the time I need to write, and I hope you understand. I do, however, tour extensively, and will sign copies of my new releases at bookstore events.

What are your running times (high school and college)?
In high school, I ran 1:52.0 in the 800m (19th fastest H.S. time in 1984, according to Jack Shepherd, who compiles the list). My relay splits for the 400m and 1600m—which I seldom ran as open events—were 48.6 and 4:08.7. In college, I was injured frequently unfortunately (and missed two entire indoor and outdoor seasons), though I had three or four relay splits in the 800m that averaged 1:49.3-1:50.6.

Nicholas’s North Carolina

Nicholas Spark's North Carolina

Hampton, NC

The Lucky One ~ Hampton, based on the Blue Mountain Region of North Carolina, is an idyllic mountain setting for The Lucky One. Surrounded by mountains, lakes and streams, Hampton boasts a near-perfect climate and a place of true serenity. It provides the ideal location for the small-town community described in The Lucky One, where a stranger’s search for love yields more than he could have ever imagined.

Edenton, NC

The Rescue ~ Edenton, known as “The South’s Prettiest Small Town,” is the first permanent settlement of North Carolina. Rich in colonial history, visitors can revisit Edenton’s colonial past simply by walking the beautiful historic district that is still home to original, restored homes. The town is built on the waterfront, and what once served as a port of call now welcomes locals and visitors alike for pleasure boaters and water sports. Off the beaten path, travelers will find quiet bed and breakfasts and wide countryside which was once home to rich plantations. Bucolic Edenton provides the ideal setting for eternal love in Nicholas Sparks’ beloved novel, The Rescue. http://www.edenton.com/

Rodanthe, NC

Nights in Rodanthe ~ At the tip of the Southern Outer Banks lies the beach town of Rodanthe (pronounced “Ro-DAN-thee), bordered on both sides by sand dunes and water. Rodanthe, part of the tri-city region that includes the towns of Waves and Salvo, is a place where people come for quiet relaxation on the sound. Rodanthe is also a more active town, popular for water and wind sports on the windy beach shores. The town also provides numerous and unique shops and restaurants. Tucked-away and peaceful, Rodanthe provides the ideal location for two worn-down people to find a second chance at love. http://www.ncbeaches.com/OuterBanks/Rodanthe

New Bern, NC

The Notebook, The Wedding, A Bend in the Road, Safe Haven ~ New Bern is a quiet town on the coast of North Carolina. Located in Craven County, New Bern is the second oldest town in North Carolina. It is a town rich in American history, a site of Civil War battle, and the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola. New Bern’s downtown is bustling with restaurants and entertainment, and the town’s southern reaches are home to the quieter Croatan National Forest. With historic homes, beautiful gardens, and quaint shops, New Bern provides the ideal setting for The Notebook, which takes us back in time to a quiet and romantic period in the city’s history, as well as The Wedding, A Bend in the Road and Safe Haven. http://www.visitnewbern.com/

Pamlico County, NC (home of the fictitious city of Boone Creek)

True Believer, At First Sight ~ Pamlico County, the county that inspired the fictitious city of “Boone Creek” is a coastal land with wide-open spaces and calming expanses of water. The county was historically an entry point for English explorers who, in the 1500s, entered the area through the Pamlico Sound. Today, the natural environment plays an important role in the county’s economy, which is tied to farming, fishing, forestry and tourism. Because Pamlico County is so peaceful and harmonious with the natural environment, it is becoming a significant destination for recreation and retirement. “Boone Creek,” imagined by Nicholas Sparks to be like many of the small towns in the area, is the ideal location for Jeremy Marsh, the ultimate New Yorker, to find respite – and mystery – in the creeks, woods, and marshes of Pamlico County. http://www.co.pamlico.nc.us/

Swansboro, NC

The Guardian ~ Swansboro, the setting for Nicholas Sparks’ romantic thriller, The Guardian, is a historical waterfront community located where the White Oak River spills into the Atlantic Ocean. Known as “The Friendly City By the Sea,” Swansboro’s laid back atmosphere of Eastern North Carolina is evident in the vibrant community between neighbors and businesses that give it a small-town feel. Swansboro has many things to see, from the unique waterfront shops, boutiques, and dining, to outdoor activities like boating, water sports, and fishing. The open spaces, unspoiled beaches, and miles of coasts make it the perfect setting for Sparks to weave a suspenseful tale of mystery and desire in The Guardian. http://swansboro-nc.org/

Beaufort, NC

The Choice, A Walk to Remember ~ Located in North Carolina’s Inner Banks, Beaufort (pronounced “BO-furt,” to distinguish it from a South Carolina town of the same name) is a seaport town rich in maritime history. Established in 1709 as a trade and customs port, Beaufort is the third oldest town in the state and is steeped in colonial charm. Beaufort was also frequented by the infamous pirate, Blackbeard, and his shipwreck, The Queen Anne’s Revenge, is a major attraction on exhibit in the town. Nowadays, Beaufort is known as a summer retreat, where visitors and resident alike can enjoy the shopping and dining on the waterfront district, or take ferries to nearby Cape Lookout, Shackleford Banks, or Carrot Island, where wild horses roam free. Quiet and quaint, historic Beaufort provides the ideal setting for A Walk to Remember, and The Choice. http://www.beaufort-nc.com/

Wilmington, NC

Dear John, Message in a Bottle ~ Situated on the southeastern coast of North Carolina, Wilmington is a charming port city near the Cape Fear Coast beach community. Rich in naval history, Wilmington is a modern city with so much to see and do; from a WWII battleship to a Hollywood movie production studio, cobblestone streets with horse-drawn carriages to music festivals, history museums to contemporary art galleries, elegant restaurants to welcoming nightspots, Wilmington has something for everyone. Wilmington’s thriving beach community makes it the perfect location for chance encounters between lovers – young and old – in Nicholas Spark’s beloved novels, The Last Song, Dear John and Message in a Bottle. http://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com

2011 Book Tour Schedule

Please note that each bookstore has its own policy regarding signing, photos, etc. If you are interested in having a book signed or taking a photo with Nicholas, please check with the bookstore to see if they will accommodate such requests. Dates and times are tentative and subject to change. Please check back for current information.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 @ 8:00 AM
New Bern Mall, Center Court (Books-A-Million)
3134 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
New Bern, NC
252-635-6963
Fans in the continental US can pre-order an autographed copy of “THE BEST OF ME” from Books-A-Million via their website. The signed books will be sold on a first-come-first-serve basis and only 2000 are available. Order your signed copy of THE BEST OF ME here:
http://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781455096657

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 @ 5:00 PM
The Embassy Suites Greenville Golf Resort & Conference Center
670 Verdae Boulevard
Greenville, SC
864-675-0540
Must buy tickets for event. Please visit http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/8246338/SC/Greenville/Nicholas-Sparks-Book-Signing/Embassy-Suites-Greenville/ for more information.

Thursday, October 13, 2011 @ 7:00 PM
Barnes & Noble
3327 Pineville-Matthews Road
Charlotte, NC
704-341-9365

Friday, October 14, 2011 @ 7:00 PM
Barnes & Noble
760 SE Maynard
Cary, NC
919-467-3866

Saturday, October 15, 2011 @ 2:00 PM
Penn Bookstore
3601 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA

Sunday, October 16, 2011 @ 2:00 PM
Harvard Coop Bookstore
1400 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA

Monday, October 17, 2011 @ 12:30 PM
Barnes & Noble
555 5th Avenue & 46th Street
New York, NY

Friday, October 28, 2011 @ 5:00 PM
National Book Store/The Podium
Manila, Philippines
Must enter to win signing pass. Please contact bookstore for further details.

Sunday, October 30, 2011
New Zealand
Date is tentative as details are being finalized. Please check back for updates.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011 @ 1:00 PM
Dymocks Indooroopilly
Level 3 Indooroopilly Shopping Centre
318 Moggill Road, Indooroopilly
Brisbane, Australia
Contact Dean Lane at 07 33505255 or indooroopilly@dymocks.com.au

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Dymocks Bmag Event
Event Cinemas Brisbane Myer Centre
Brisbane, Australia
Cost: $20
To buy tickets contact Hazel Howell at 07 3886 5704 or hazel@event32.com.au
Books will be available for sale and signing after the event.

Thursday, November 3, 2011 @ 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Dymocks Literary Lunch
Shangri La Hotel Ballroom
176 Cumberland Street
Sydney, Australia
Cost: $70 members; $85 non-members. Includes a two course meal, wine, and coffee.
Contact Judy Benson at 9449 4366 or 0402 229 926.

Friday, November 4, 2011 @ 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Dymocks George Street
Sydney, Australia
Contact Steve Bidwell Brown at 9230 9058

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Dymocks Penrith
Level 1, Shop 145
Westfield Shopping Centre, 586 High Street, Penrith
Sydney, Australia
Contact Trevor or Hieke at 02 4731 5986

Saturday, November 5, 2011 @ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Castle Community Centre
Sydney, Australia
Author talk and book signing with Nicholas
Contact Lynne Alistair at 02 88833055 or rousehill@dymocks.com.au

2:30 PM
Dymocks Chatswood
Sydney, Australia
Contact Petra or Richard Turner at 02 9412163 or 9233 5522 or chatswood@dymocks.com.au

Monday, November 7, 2011 @ 6:30 PM
Dymocks Evening Event
State Library Village Roadshow Theatrette, Latrobe Street
Melbourne, Australia
Author Talk, followed by Q & A and signing
Contact Louise McNally at 03 96608500 or levents@dymocks.com.au

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 @ 12:30 PM
Dymocks Camberwell
Dymocks Bookstore
The Well Shopping Centre
793 Bourke Road
Camberwell
Melbourne, Australia
Contact Henk Kelly-Kobes at 03 98820032 or camberwell@dymocks.com.au

6:30 PM - 7:15 PM
Robinsons Bookshop
cinema tbc
Melbourne, Australia
Contact Susanne Horman at 03 9783 6488 or 0401 141 387

Philanthropy

The Nicholas Sparks Foundation

In the fall of 2011, The Nicholas Sparks Foundation was founded to support the causes and charities that are personally important to the author. While Nicholas and his wife have donated nearly $10,000,000 to local, regional and national causes - including education, veteran support, Alzheimer’s care and research, childhood disease research and care, and animal rescue organizations - education remains a top priority.

The Foundation is committed to inspiring and transforming students' lives through education, curriculum development, and life changing international experiences, so they are prepared to embrace a life of being active learners and engaged global citizens. Its goals for our future leaders include instilling confidence, introducing foreign languages, and exploring cultural versatility, while offering a global perspective to help them prepare for the 21st century.

For more information about the Nicholas Sparks Foundation, visit NSparksFoundation.org.

The Epiphany School for Global Studies

Graduation Day at Epiphany School for Global Studies

As their kids all came to be elementary school-aged, Nicholas and his wife began thinking more about the local school options for their kids in New Bern, NC. As New Bern is a small town with limited school options, they decided to build a school for the community themselves. In 2005, they joined with Thomas McLaughlin to facilitate community meetings with town residents about everything they could possibly want for their kids. The consensus was to create a place where students of all different faith backgrounds could learn in a traditional Judeo-Christian environment that would also foster a completely global education. Quickly, a vision began to take shape, and on August 28, 2006, The Epiphany School for Global Studies opened for its first school year.

The Epiphany School for Global Studies is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school that is rooted in the Christian faith. Founded in 2005, it opened its doors in August 2006 to 95 pioneering students in grades 6-10. Currently, the student body is comprised of motivated students from over ten municipalities in coastal North Carolina. Though our school families have diverse backgrounds and experiences, from physicians, to farmers, to Marines, all are united in sustaining a rigorous learning environment that develops the mind, body and spirit of our students. Epiphany School is a community of faith and scholarship that challenges students to uncover and expand their unique God-given gifts. It sends forth men and women who will wisely devote themselves to lifelong learning, faithful discipleship, courageous leadership and compassionate service throughout their life journeys.

Epiphany is home to a first-rate faculty of passionate scholars who inspire students with teachings from an academic curriculum that many universities consider the finest in the world. Like all schools, Epiphany embraces its responsibility to impart the knowledge and skills that are essential for living. It is a school distinguished by a rigorous and nurturing environment in which students evolve into the best versions of themselves. Epiphany provides a vast array of educational opportunities that challenge young people to embrace their gifts and share them confidently with others, and where students can participate in a full range of co-curricular activities including athletics, music, theater and art. Travel as education is an essential part of the school’s curriculum. By the time every student has graduated, he or she will have visited 26 countries on six continents to study everything in context from history of the Americas amidst Mayan ruins, Ancient Greece at the Parthenon, or ecology and the environment in the rain forests of Costa Rica.

For more information about Epiphany School in New Bern, NC, visit the website at Epiphany-NB.org.

New Bern High School and Track Eastern Carolina

from Runner`s World magazine
Millions know Nicholas Sparks as the best-selling author of books like Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, and The Notebook. But in New Bern, North Carolina, the novelist is better known as benefactor and coach of a track program that has rapidly become one of the nation’s finest.

When Sparks’s eldest son, Miles, began running in seventh grade, Sparks approached Dave Simpson - the coach of New Bern High School and Track Eastern Carolina, a local club team - about Miles joining the track club. Little did Simpson know that the boy’s father would prove to be the best thing that ever happened to track and field in this small rural city.

Within a few months, Sparks, 43, had donated nearly $900,000 toward a state-of-the-art track. Soon after, Sparks - a former 800-meter standout at Notre Dame - signed on as a volunteer assistant coach for the high school team and the club, most of whose runners come from low-income and at-risk families.

"I remember one of our guys running out of gas" at a national meet after the club had been on the road for five days, Sparks says. "I asked him why, and he said he was hungry. I asked him when he’d last eaten. He said, ‘Tuesday.’ That was on a Sunday."

Sparks has done his best to ensure that his athletes would no longer face such obstacles, underwriting all meals on club road trips. He also spends weekday afternoons working with New Bern’s middle-distance runners and hurdlers. And the results have been astonishing: Since Sparks became involved with the team four and a half years ago, New Bern High has won five state championships in indoor and outdoor track. At the 2008 Nike Indoor Nationals, Track Eastern Carolina won both the 4 x 800 and sprint medley relays and captured second in the 4 x 200 and 4 x 400. During Sparks’s tenure, more than 35 of the New Bern and club runners have earned collegiate track scholarships.

"I coach to bring these kids opportunities, to give them the chance to go on to college," says Sparks, who attended Notre Dame on a track scholarship. "Most of these kids are the first ones in their families ever to attend college."

Sparks’s commitment to his charges stretches far beyond the track. "His front door is open to our athletes all the time," Simpson says. The runners eat at his home. Swim in his pool. Play video games with Miles (now a junior and a 54-second 400-meter hurdler) and the other four Sparks children. Last year, Sparks and his wife, Cathy, fed 15 team members Christmas dinner.

Simpson says Sparks has become a "father figure" for numerous others, even after graduation. "The Sparkses are like my other set of parents," says Darryl Reynolds, who ran at New Bern and is now a junior at East Carolina University. "I used to stay at their house. I still talk to Nick at least five times a week."

Sparks sees the sport of track, not himself, as the hero of this real-life drama. "Without track and field, I wouldn’t be where I am today," he says. "It taught me discipline and perseverance and paid my way through college. It changed my life, and I want it to change these kids’ lives, too."

Reveal links to more articles and videos about the track team’s success.