C. D. Payne (born C. Douglas Payne) is an American writer of absurdist fiction who is best known for his series of novels about fictional teenager Nick Twisp. Payne was born in Akron, Ohio. He graduated from Harvard College in 1971. He then moved to California, and has worked as a newspaper editor, cartoonist, typesetter, graphic artist, proofreader, photographer, advertising copywriter, trailer park handyman, and carpenter. He is married and lives in Sonoma County.