Thursday, September 23rd, 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET
Free for WMG members & non-members
Writer and editor Michelle Burford has co-authored ten memoirs and six New York Times best sellers (three of which debuted at #1) including Just As I Am written with legendary actress Cicely Tyson (who tragically passed away on January 28, 2021, two days following publication of her memoir). Michelle’s celebrity collaborations also include books with Alicia Keys, Toni Braxton and Simone Biles (to name just a few) - plus there are more in the pipeline (this past summer Michelle was working on no less than three memoirs). Her extraordinary ability to deliver dazzling life stories under tight deadlines is just one of Michelle’s many strengths as an author and editor.
The Oprah Magazine calls Just As I Am an “essential, passionate, raw, revelatory account of a woman who refused to allow any obstacle to thwart her quest for excellence—racism, misogyny, poverty, single motherhood—and today stands as one of the greatest actresses of all time.”
The New York Times book review of Just As I Am noted “A throng of admirers has been eager to hear whatever she [Cicely Tyson] wants to tell. [Michelle] Burford, a sensitive listener, has organized 96 years’ worth of stories with grace. Right about now, the autobiography of Miss Cicely Tyson is a balm for the afflicted.”
In this WMG conversation with Michelle on September 23, we’ll explore not only the extraordinary careers of her memoir collaborators but Michelle’s own career story: how her writing career started, why she’s passionate about book collaborations and her secret to getting things done.
The WMG Programming Committee is thrilled to partner with Shakespeare & Co. for this conversation with Michelle. Purchase your copy of Michelle’s book Just As I Am.
About Michelle Burford:
Michelle Burford is a #1 NYT bestselling collaborative writer and a founding editor of Oprah Magazine. Michelle has written memoirs for iconic actress Cicely Tyson, whose memoir debuted at #1 on the New York Times' list; singer Alicia Keys; Olympic champions Simone Biles and Gabrielle Douglas, singer Toni Braxton, "Dancing With the Stars" sensation Amy Purdy, "Orange Is the New Black" actress Diane Guerrero, and Cleveland survivor Michelle Knight, the first young woman kidnapped and brutalized by Ariel Castro. She has co-authored 10 books and six NYT best sellers. More about Michelle: michelleburford.com.
About the Moderator:
Kelly Hoey is the author of Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships In A Hyper-Connected World (her first book, though she is bravely embarking on her second). More about Kelly: jkellyhoey.co.
About Shakespeare & Co:
Shakespeare & Co. is an iconic Manhattan bookstore founded in 1983. Its store at 939 Lexington Avenue, adjacent to the Hunter College campus, has been a staple on the Upper East Side for over 20 years. Shakespeare & Co second location in New York is at 2020 Broadway (between 69th and 70th Streets) and they also are located at 1632 Walnut Street (between South 16th and South 17th Streets) in downtown Philadelphia.
