Meet The Man Behind the Words

NY Times bestselling author and international speaker Cecil (Cec) Murphey—The Man Behind the Words—is the author of 112 published books, including the bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper). His books have sold millions and have been translated into more than 30 languages. His newest book, When Someone You Love Has Cancer, will release January 1, 2009. Cecil has also written hundreds of articles that have appeared in a variety of publications. He stays busy as a professional writer and travels extensively to speak on many topics such as Christian living, spiritual growth, prayer, caregiving, significant living, male sexual abuse, and writing.

Cecil has co-authored a number of autobiographies and books for well-known personalities. The all-star lineup includes Dr. Ben Carson, renowned surgeon (Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story—in production as a TNT-TV movie with Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr.—and Think Big); singer B.J. Thomas (In Tune); Franklin Graham (Rebel with a Cause, for which he won the 1995 Gold Medallion Award); and Norman Vaughn, the last survivor of Admiral Byrd’s Antarctica Expedition (With Byrd at the Bottom of the World).

One of Cecil’s more recent books, I Choose to Stay (with Salome Thomas-EL), has been optioned by a major movie studio. Touchdown Alexander, the story of Seattle Seahawks MVP running back Shaun Alexander, is another bestseller. 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper) has sold millions of copies, was the catalyst for several follow-up books, and also has been optioned for a feature film. 90 Minutes in Heaven has been on the NY Times bestseller list since October 2006 and was included on USA Today’s list of top 150 bestselling books in the last 15 years.

In 2007, Cecil received the first Lifetime Achievement Award from The Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. He was recognized not only for his excellent writing but also for his selfless mentoring in the Christian writing community.

Prior to launching his career as a full-time writer and speaker, Cecil served as pastor of Riverdale Presbyterian Church in Metro Atlanta, as a volunteer hospital chaplain for ten years, and was a missionary in Kenya for six. He holds bachelor’s degrees in education and religious education, as well as master’s degrees in education and theology. Cecil was awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature from The Richmond Virginia Seminary for his contributions to the writing field.

Cecil has chosen to spend this season of his life to speak and to write from his heart. This servant of the Lord, transparent and vulnerable, provides nourishment for spiritual growth, encouragement for day-to-day living, and a hand to hold for caregivers. Cecil Murphey—The Man Behind the Words—knows how to love others right where they are.