When it comes to self-made Hollywood success stories none is more compelling than the journey of Playwright/Actor Tyler Perry from homelessness to top-grossing movie star. Melvin Childs, Executive Producer of Tyler Perry’s first national tour ‘I Know I’ve Been Changed’ takes off the gloves and details the true behind-the-scenes story of how Tyler Perry went from being an anonymous, struggling playwright to a household name. In the true story of Never Would Have Made It: The Rise of Tyler Perry, the Most Powerful Entertainer in Black America And What It Really Took To Get Him There, (Touch 1 Media, LLC., January 2012; Hard Cover $24.99, E-Book $9.99)Childs shares his personal account of being a mentor, producer and friend to Tyler Perry and how his first two touring efforts ended in failure.

Childs discovered Perry in a state of doubt, disappointment and his struggle for acceptance playing on the “chitlin circuit” in small churches to 50 people or less. But Childs believed in the charismatic playwright and foresaw his future success. Together they reinvented the format creating the framework for the Tyler Perry Hollywood brand, today a multi-million dollar enterprise. In a riveting account of secret back room deals, illicit cash; backstabbing and double-dealing, the book is a portrait of human nature, big business, betrayal and ultimately finding forgiveness. A must read for Tyler Perry fans Never Would Have Made It is an inspirational story about using love and faith to overcome deceit and failure.

Never Would Have Made it has an uplifting message about the power of forgiveness that will resonate with readers who are Tyler Perry fans or hurt by someone you believe in.