New York, New York Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama revealed on Instagram the book cover of her highly anticipated memoir, BECOMING, which is scheduled to be published globally on November 13, 2018.
“I’ve spent the last year and a half reflecting on my story as deeply and honestly as I could, and now I’m thrilled to travel the country and do the same with readers this fall,” said Michelle Obama about her upcoming tour. “I hope that this tour will inspire others to reflect upon and share their own stories—all the joys and sorrows, all the scars and renewals—so that together, we can better recognize that each of us, in our own way, is in a constant process of becoming,” she said.
Mrs. Obama selected the cover photo for her book jacket from a photo shoot that was done earlier this year in Washington, DC, by renowned portrait photographer Miller Mobley, with styling provided by Meredith Koop, Carl Ray, and Yene Damtew. Christopher Brand, Vice President, Creative Director, Crown Publishing Group, designed the book jacket.
In leading up to her book cover reveal, Mrs. Obama shared on her Instagram account four previously unpublished family photographs that illustrate moments in her personal journey of becoming the woman she is today.
Stated Mrs. Obama (@michelleobama), “I’m thrilled to share with all of you the cover for BECOMING. The process of writing this book has been so personally meaningful and illuminating for me. As I prepare to share BECOMING this fall, I hope you’ll also think about your own story, and trust that it will help you become whoever you aspire to be. Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.”
Mrs. Obama’s book will be released in the U.S. and Canada in print and digital formats by the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House. An audio edition of the book, read by Mrs. Obama, will be simultaneously issued in digital and physical formats by Penguin Random House Audio. BECOMING will also be published in 25 languages around the world. Information about the book is available to consumers at www.becomingmichelleobama.com.
In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, BECOMING is an unusually intimate reckoning from a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same.
At the time of publication, Mrs. Obama will embark on a U.S. and international book tour, with details to be announced at a later date.
The print edition will carry a suggested list price of $32.50 in the U.S. and $40.00 in Canada and the digital edition will be priced at $14.99 in the U.S. and $18.99 in Canada.
In support of the mission of The Obama Foundation and Penguin Random House’s own commitment to social responsibility, the Publisher will donate in the Obama family’s name, one million children’s books published by Penguin Random House to First Book, a longstanding Penguin Random House nonprofit partner and the Washington, DC–based partner for the 2016 White House digital education initiative, Open eBooks. First Book is dedicated to promoting equal access to education by providing new books, learning materials, and other essentials to children in need in the U.S. and Canada.
BECOMING: AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION WITH MICHELLE OBAMA DATES:
| DATE | CITY | VENUE |
| Tuesday, November 13 | Chicago, IL | United Center |
| Thursday, November 15 | Los Angeles, CA | The Forum |
| Saturday, November 17 | Washington, DC | Capital One Arena |
| Saturday, November 24 | Boston, MA | TD Garden |
| Thursday, November 29 | Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center |
| Saturday, December 1 | Brooklyn, NY | Barclays Center |
| Tuesday, December 11 | Detroit, MI | Little Caesars Arena |
| Thursday, December 13 | Denver, CO | Pepsi Center Arena |
| Friday, December 14 | San Jose, CA | SAP Center |
| Monday, December 17 | Dallas, TX | American Airlines Center |