Richard Paul Evans facts for kids

Richard Paul Evans (born October 11, 1962) is an American author. He is famous for writing many popular books. His most well-known works include The Christmas Box and the Michael Vey series.

About Richard Paul Evans

Richard Paul Evans grew up in Utah, a state in the United States. He went to Cottonwood High School. Later, he studied at the University of Utah and earned a degree in 1984.

How His First Book Became a Hit

Before becoming a full-time author, Richard Paul Evans worked in advertising. He wrote a special Christmas story for his own children. He tried to find a company to publish his story, but no one was interested. So, in 1993, he decided to publish it himself.

He called his story The Christmas Box. It was a small paperback book. He sold it in local bookstores in his community. The book quickly became very popular in that area. This encouraged him to publish it more widely.

In 1994, The Christmas Box became a huge success. It reached number two on The New York Times Best Seller list. This made many big publishing companies want to work with him. He signed a deal with Simon & Schuster, a major publisher.

When The Christmas Box was released as a hardcover book in 1995, it made history. It was the first book ever to be number one on The New York Times bestseller list for both paperback and hardcover at the same time. That same year, the book was made into a television movie. It starred actors Richard Thomas and Maureen O'Hara.

Other Books and Movies

Since his first big success, Richard Paul Evans has written many more books. He has written 36 books that have become national bestsellers. Some of his books are for children. His stories often share themes about family values and Christian beliefs.

Several of his books have also been turned into television movies. For example, his 1996 book Timepiece became a movie. It featured famous actors like Naomi Watts and James Earl Jones. Other books like The Locket (1998), A Perfect Day (2006), The Mistletoe Promise (2016), and The Mistletoe Inn (2017) also became movies.

Helping Children in Need

In 1997, Richard Paul Evans started a special organization. It is called Christmas Box House International. This group helps abused and neglected children. They build shelters and provide services to keep children safe. By 2017, the Christmas Box House facilities had helped over 35,000 children.

Personal Life

Richard Paul Evans is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is married to Keri Evans, and they have five children. He also has a grandson.

He also started a group called "Tribe of Kyngs." This group helps men feel less alone. It also aims to show that being a man is still important and valued.