Michael Vey 10
The Colony

Showing great tenacity, American author, Richard Paul Evans, grew up in Murray City, Utah, and when he decided to write and publish a book, he could not find a willing publisher, so he self-published. That book was entitled, The Christmas Box. He had been working full time as an advertising executive, when he decided to write a Christmas story for his children. He distributed his book to area bookstores, and it became a huge local success.

The following year, The Christmas Box became the #2 bestseller on the New York Times list. That distinction led to a bidding war among publishers (who originally had no interest). Simon and Schuster won the bidding with their advance payment of $4.2 million! They released the book in hardcover in 1995, and it became the first book to be NYT #1 bestseller in both hard cover and paperback.

In 1995, The Christmas Box was made into a movie for television, starring Richard Thomas and Maureen O'Hara. In 1996 his book, Timepiece, was also made into a television movie starring Naomi Watts, James Earl Jones, and Ellen Burstyn. Other books adapted for movies were, The Locket, A Perfect Day, The Mistletoe Promise, and The Mistletoe Inn.

Evans is known for his conservative Christian themes appealing to family values, and for his children's books. He also founded Christmas Box House, Int'l that helps abused and neglected children, with a network of shelters and services. Another group was established to help men who have feelings of isolation caused by the "toxic masculinity" movement by some women. This group is called Tribe of Kyngs. Evans lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with his wife, five children, and one grandchild.