Michelle Burford
Collaborator &
Story Architect
Bestselling Author
Need a great story on a tight deadline? E-mail me at [email protected]
Michelle Burford is a Harvard-trained writer and editor based in Manhattan
Founding Senior Editor of O, The Oprah Magazine
• Major books: I’ve co-authored fifteen books and eight NYT best sellers, three debuting at #1. I’ve partnered with legendary actress Cicely Tyson; Emmy Award-winning anchor Robin Roberts of Good Morning America; singer Alicia Keys (whose book features contributions from Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Jay-Z, Bono and Clive Davis); WNBA icon Brittney Griner; Olympians Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas; singer Toni Braxton; actress Diane Guerrero; Dallas Police Chief David Brown; Fixer Upper star carpenter Clint Harp; and Michelle Knight, the first Cleveland girl brutalized by Ariel Castro.
• What I can do for you: I deliver high-profile memoirs and business leadership books, but toss me any story and I’ll make it sing. With each project I take on, I have one intention: to craft a compelling narrative that sells. Let’s start yours.
• I can also: Keep a celebrity author sane during the editorial process and get along with almost anyone. Malbec helps.
• Why you should call me: I produce page-turners. I’m an empathetic interviewer with a keen ear for voice. I’m also ready to roll: I can travel to work on your story.
Non-fiction Specialties:
- Top-selling celebrity memoirs
- Powerful narratives for newsmakers
- Business leadership books
- Stories of hope, resilience and triumph
I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT:
- Producing vivid and captivating prose
- Collaborating with prominent authors
- Building story arcs that engage readers
- Creating marketable book proposals
- Eliciting strong anecdotes and memories
- Partnering with A-list celebrities
EDITORS KNOW ME FOR:
- Managing major book crashes
- Crafting evocative plot lines
- Making projects enjoyable
- Meeting impossible deadlines
- Delivering clean manuscripts
