Nicholas Sparks, author best known for his book “The Notebook,” is this year’s ULM Lyceum Series speaker. “An Evening with Nicholas Sparks” will be 7 p.m. Thursday at the Monroe Civic Center’s W. C. “Jack” Howard Theatre. There will be a book signing immediately following the speech.

Sparks, a New York Times best selling author, is also known for writing: “Message in a Bottle,” “A Walk to Remember,” “Nights in Rodanthe,” “Dear John” and “The Last Song.” All of those books have been adapted into movies and have become iconic romantic feature films. His books have sold almost 80 million copies worldwide.

The venue was moved last week from Brown Auditorium because of the overwhelming interest in the event. The Civic Center location holds almost 1,500 people, double the size of Brown.

Nathan Hall, assistant dean of Student Life and Leadership said Sparks has gotten the most interest of any speaker so far on the Presidential Lyceum series.

Students can receive a free ticket by going to www.ulmtickets.com. Tickets cost $10 for faculty and staff, $25 for general admission and $50 for patron tickets, which are also available at www.ulmtickets.com.

If students need a ride to the event they can contact Nathan Hall at nahall@ ulm.edu. Monroe City will provide buses for the students who need a ride.

Sparks will also speak to a class at 3 p.m. in CNSB 100. There is limited seating for this class, but seats are still available. Students interested in attending the class need to contact Hall at [email protected].

Emily Plunkett, a senior communication studies major from Choudrant, has had her ticket since they were available in December.

“I have read all of his books and seen all of the movies. His stories do have heartbreak, but it always works out for the best in the end,” Plunkett said.

Hunter Harris, an English graduate student from Jackson, Miss., said he’s not invested in Sparks’ work, but he said he did enjoy the movie adaptation of “The Notebook.”

“Nicholas Sparks knows how to appeal to the part of my brain that loves sappiness, and the movie just works,” Harris said.

Ben Stokes, a sophomore history major from Monroe, said he never had any interest in Sparks’ books because they seem repetitive.

“Two people fall in love, then one or both of them die tragically or by some illness,” Stokes said.