Bestselling author, screenwriter, playwright, and nationally syndicated columnist, Mitch Albom, will speak and sign his latest book at MSU’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts on Tuesday, December 11, at 7 p.m. with all proceeds supporting student scholarships for MSU’s College of Arts & Letters and the Department of Theatre.

Albom’s newest book, The Next Person You Meet in Heaven, which will be released October 9, is the long-awaited sequel to his bestseller, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, published in 2003.

Included in the $35 ticket price to the Wharton Center event is a copy of The Next Person You Meet in Heaven as well as an opportunity to have it signed by Albom following the author talk. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Theatre at MSU and the College of Arts & Letters Alumni Association. 

“We are excited to host Mitch Albom at Michigan State University as part of his new book tour. His generosity in offering us one of his bookings allows the College of Arts & Letters and the Department of Theatre to fund scholarships for students,” said Jacqueline Babcock, past President and member of Friends of Theatre at MSU. “In speaking to members of the community, we feel a lot of enthusiasm for this event as his writing speaks to everyone.” 

An Award-Winning Career

Albom has written 13 books, six of which are consecutive #1 New York Times bestsellers. Tuesdays with Morrie, which spent four straight years atop the New York Times list, is now the bestselling memoir of all time.

“We are excited to host Mitch Albom at Michigan State University as part of his new book tour. His generosity in offering us one of his bookings allows the College of Arts & Letters and the Department of Theatre to fund scholarships for students.”

Jacqueline Babcock

Collectively, his books have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide, have been published in 49 territories and in 45 languages, and have been made into Emmy Award-winning and critically acclaimed TV movies. 

For 33 years, Albom has worked for the Detroit Free Press as a sports columnist and was named top sports columnist in the nation by the Sports Editors of America for more than a decade. He is a longtime panelist on ESPN’s “The Sports Reporters” and co-host of “The Sports Reporters” podcast. 

“I am also thankful to Mitch for allowing us to host the East Lansing book launch of The Next Person You Meet in Heaven as we raise funds for student scholarships.”

Kirk Domer, Department of Theatre Chair

In 2006, Albom founded S.A.Y. Detroit, an umbrella organization that now operates nine charities in Detroit. He also runs the Have Faith Haiti Mission orphanage in Port Au Prince, Haiti.

Latest Book

In his latest book, The Next Person You Meet in Heaven, Albom continues the story of Annie, whose life was saved by Eddie, a war veteran-turned-amusement park mechanic who died saving Annie’s life in The Five People You Meet in Heaven. In this sequel, Albom reveals what happened to Annie after the accident and what awaits her when she eventually makes her own journey to heaven and reunites with Eddie.

“Over the years, more than any book I’ve written, readers have asked me ‘What happened next to Eddie and Annie?” Albom said. “Although I’ve never done a sequel before, I felt there was a natural story about Eddie going from meeting five people to being one of five for somebody else. And exploring how a girl lives once she’s saved from death was very appealing material. So I dove in – and I was surprised where it took me.”

The Next Person You Meet in Heaven is full of unexpected twists that remind us that every life matters and with every ending is also a beginning that we just need to open our eyes to see.

At the December 11 Wharton Center event, Albom will only be signing copies of The Next Person You Meet In Heaven. Please understand that due to the popularity of the event, he will not be able to sign other books he has written.

“I am excited to reconnect with Mitch Albom in support of his latest accomplishment after scene designing his recent productions of Ernie and Hockey, The Musical!” said Kirk Domer, Chair of MSU’s Department of Theatre. “I am also thankful to Mitch for allowing us to host the East Lansing book launch of The Next Person You Meet in Heaven as we raise funds for student scholarships.” 

Ticket Information

Tickets to the event may be purchased through the Wharton Center for Performing Arts website or at the Wharton Center Box Office.