Nicholas Sparks Is Making a Semi-Autobiographical Comedy About a Divorced 'Romance Novelist'

Currently slouching towards your television screen: A Nicholas Sparks-branded comedy, loosely based on the post-divorce travails of the man himself. Help?

The Hollywood Reporter describes The Next Chapter, which is currently in development with ABC, the network that brought you all nineteen thousand seasons of The Bachelor:

Based on a pitch from writer Austin Winsberg (Gossip Girl), the single-camera comedy centers on top-selling romance novelist Ben Diamond, who goes through a divorce and not only begins to question his belief in love, but must also learn to date again and live on his own — all while dealing with the pressures of his public persona as the world’s most foremost “expert” on love. The comedy is loosely based on Sparks’ new life as a single man. (Sparks separated from his wife of 25 years in January.)

Oh, so is he cool with being considered a romance novelist now? Guess it’s okay as long as he gets to be the “king of romance novels,” as the Hollywood Reporter dubs him. And here I was under the impression that this overwhelmingly woman-driven business operated on a matrilineal line of succession. What a foolish feminine fancy on my part! Bow before your monarch, ladies!!!!