'Notebook' Author Nicholas Sparks Developing Three Prime Time Shows

Best-selling author Nicholas Sparks is hoping his literary success will transfer to the small screen. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the chick lit sensation is developing three new prime time shows for different networks.

Sparks is set to bring a series based on his 2001 novel, "A Bend in the Road," to TNT and lend his talent to the forthcoming ABC family series "The Falls," a modern reimagining of "Romeo and Juliet." The author will also team with the Lifetime network for the series "Deliverance Creek," which focuses on a woman's survival in post-Civil War America.

As the site reports, Sparks is developing the shows under Nicholas Sparks Productions. The author started the company in April, along with his longtime literary agent, Theresa Park, who agreed to represent him in 1995 after finding "The Notebook" in a slush pile. In June, it was announced that Elise Henderson, a literary agent at United Talent Agency, will run the company.

There have been very few authors that have moved into the TV realm. Jerry Stahl, who penned the memoir "Permanent Midnight," went on to write for "CSI" and recently co-wrote the drama "Hemingway and Gellhorn" for HBO. It was announced last year that controversial religious author Rob Bell is producing the spiritual series "Stronger" with former "Lost" creator Carlton Cuse. In 2011, the Independent reported that "Satanic Verses" author Salman Rushdie is set to write and produce the series "Nest People" for Showtime.

A number of Sparks' works such as "A Walk to Remember," "The Notebook" and "Dear John" inspired popular films. The upcoming romantic drama "Safe Haven," which is based on the author's 2010 novel, is set to be released in February, while his 2011 work, "The Best of Me," is currently being adapted by Warner Brothers. According to his official site, the film rights for his books "True Believer" and "At First Site" have also been sold, though no solid plans for adaptation have been announced.

Sparks has released a total of 16 New York Times best sellers. Many of his novels were inspired by family tragedies. His 1998 novel, "Message in a Bottle," was inspired by the relationship between his parents, who both met untimely deaths within six years of one another. Sparks has said that the heroine in "A Walk to Remember" is inspired by Sparks' sister, who died of cancer at the age of 33.