Nicholas Sparks to produce TV comedy for ABC

Los Angeles: "The Notbeook" author Nicholas Sparks will co-produce a half-hour comedy project "The Next Chapter".

Written by Austin Winsberg ('Gossip Girl', 'The Sound Of Music Live!'), "The Next Chapter" hails from Warner Bros TV and Nicholas Sparks Productions, reported Deadline.

It has been picked by cable channel ABC.

Loosely based on Sparks' new life as a single man, "The Next Chapter" centres on top-selling romance novelist Ben Diamond, who goes through a divorce and not only begins to question his belief in love, but he also must 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.

49-year-old Sparks, who in January announced separation from his wife of 25 years, executive produces with Winsberg and Nicholas Sparks Productions' Theresa Park.

The best-selling romance novelist also has an adaptation of his popular book "The Notebook" in the works at the channel CW.