Meet The Man Behind the Words

Short Bio
     Award-winning author Cecil (Cec) Murphey is the author or co-author of more than 100 books, including the NY Times bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper) and Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (with Dr. Ben Carson). He is also the author of When Someone You Love Has Cancer, When God Turned Off the Lights, and Christmas Miracles, all 2009 releases. His books have sold millions of copies and have brought hope and encouragement to countless people around the world. Hundreds of his articles have appeared in a variety of publications. Cecil stays busy as a professional writer and travels extensively to speak on many topics such as Christian living, recovery, spiritual growth, prayer, caregiving, significant living, male sexual abuse, and writing. For more information about Cecil Murphey, please contact Twila Belk at twila@gottatellsomebody.com.

Long Bio
     NY Times bestselling author and international speaker Cecil (Cec) Murphey—The Man Behind the Words—is the author or co-author of more than one hundred books, including the bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper). His books have sold millions and have been translated into nearly 40 languages. His newest book, Christmas Miracles, released in October 2009, and When God Turned Off the Lights, released in August 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 writing, recovery, spiritual growth, caregiving, significant living, male sexual abuse, and more.
     Cecil has co-authored a number of autobiographies and books for well-known personalities. The all-star lineup includes Dr. Ben Carson, renowned pediatric neurosurgeon (Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story—which premiered as a Johnson & Johnson Spotlight Presentation® Movie on TNT February 7—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. 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 April 2009, the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) honored Cecil with the Extraordinary Service Award, one of their most prestigious awards. This award reflects the great respect the ASJA membership holds for Murphey and his extraordinary service to other writers. 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 of other writers.
     Cecil has several new books that will release in the near future. Words of Comfort for Times of Loss (Harvest House) and a book written with Bishop Eddie Long will release in January 2010. A fourth book with Don Piper, a book on male sexual abuse, and a gift book on the times and seasons will also release in 2010.
     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.
     For more information about Cecil Murphey, please contact Twila Belk at twila@gottatellsomebody.com.