C. D. Payne (born C. Douglas Payne; July 5, 1949) is an American writer of
absurdist fiction who is best known for his series of novels about fictional teenager Nick Twisp. They are called the "Youth in Revolt" series or "The Journals of Nick Twisp."
In the novels the protagonist, Nick, strives to balance out his budding sexual urges while remaining an intellectual teenager in a world of moronic adults.
Along with the "Youth" series he is the author of several other novels including Frisco Pigeon Mambo and Civic Beauties, a parody of politics in the United States, which follows the lives of teenage twin girls whose father is campaigning to be Vice President. He has also published a play titled, Queen of America: A Royal Comedy in Three Acts. Frisco Pigeon Mambo was bought by Fox Animation, but was never made into a film.
Payne was born in
Akron, Ohio, in 1949, and graduated from
Harvard College in 1971. He then moved to California and lived in a trailer in Santa Monica.[1] He has worked as a newspaper editor, cartoonist, typesetter, graphic artist, proofreader, photographer, advertising copywriter, trailer park handyman, and carpenter.
He is married and lives with his pet in
Sonoma County, California.[1]
Payne is an avid collector of campers, mobile homes, and trailers. His most prized possession is a 1964
Airstream trailer.[1]
Cut to the Twisp: The Lost Parts of Youth in Revolt and Other Stories (Contains the content that was edited out of the Main Street Books and Doubleday editions of Youth in Revolt, and it also contains an additional dozen short humor pieces) (Aivia Press, 2001:
ISBN1-882647-03-3)
Revolting Youth: The Further Journals of Nick Twisp (
a.k.a. Book 4: Revolting Youth) (Aivia Press, 2000:
ISBN1-882647-15-7)
Young and Revolting: The Continental Journals of Nick Twisp (
a.k.a. Book 5: Young and Revolting) (Infinity Publishing, 2006:
ISBN0-7414-3417-2)
Revoltingly Young: The Journals of Nick Twisp's Younger Brother (
a.k.a. Book 6: Revoltingly Young) (Infinity Publishing, 2006:
ISBN0-7414-3416-4)
Son of Youth in Revolt: The Journals of Scott Twisp (
a.k.a. Book 7: Son of Youth in Revolt) (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2012:
ISBN1466436085)
Revolt at the Beach: More Twisp Family Chronicles (
a.k.a. Book 8: Youth in Venice) (Aivia Press, 2015:
ISBN1882647068)
Licensed To Revolt: The Journals of Twisps on the Move (
a.k.a. Book 9: Licensed To Revolt) (Aivia Press, 2018:
ISBN9781882647309)
Queen of America: A Royal Comedy in Three Acts (Aivia Press, 2001:
ISBN1-882647-10-6)
The inaugural performance was by the City Lights Theater Company in
San Jose, CA.
Television and film
Episode #2A of
Disney's Recess; titled "Mama's Girl" (3rd episode of the second season). Aired on September 19, 1998. Teleplay was based on a story that C. D. Payne wrote for the show.
Frisco Pigeon Mambo. The film rights to this novel are currently owned by the now defunct
Fox Animation Studios. It is unknown what the status is or plans are with these rights.