Matthew Eldridge's debut novel, Saint Nicholas, the Christmas Story, has been penned the "next Christmas classic" by readers worldwide.

With a passion for abandoned children and the poor, Matthew felt the need to write such a novel that reflects the true life of the world's most popular saint, while including a fun fantasy world as well that ties in all of our modern day Christmas traditions.

Several of Matthew's influences include Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker.

Matthew's first book of short stories will be published in early 2010.