Peter Hedges' first novel, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, was the basis for the 1993 film, which he also wrote. His second novel, An Ocean in Iowa, was published in 1998 by Hyperion Press. His novels have been published in fifteen languages.

Hedges' screenplay adaptations include Jane Hamilton's A Map of the World, Nick Hornby's About a Boy (Academy Award, BAFTA and WGA nominations), and, most recently, Lauren Weissberger's The Devil Wears Prada.

With Pieces of April, Hedges makes his film directing debut. Variety Magazine named him one of the 10 Directors to Watch for 2003.

A graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, Hedges founded the Edge Theater in 1985 along with Mary-Louise Parker and Joe Mantello. Over a three year period he wrote and directed twelve works for the company.

Hedges' other plays include Baby Anger (Playwrights Horizons), Good as New (Manhattan Class Company), and Imagining Brad (Circle Repertory Theater), all of which have been published by Dramatists Play Service.

Hedges has taught at Bennington College, the North Carolina School of the Arts, and at Northwestern University's National High School Institute. He has served as a Creative Advisor to the Sundance Screenwriters' Lab and has been awarded residencies at Yaddo, the MacDowell Colony, and the Millay Colony.

Hedges grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa. He now lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Susan Bruce, and their two children, Simon and Lucas.

Credit: filmbug.co.uk