Whitmer to publish book, ‘True Gretch’ in July, confirming earlier reports

Publisher Simon & Schuster announced Friday that it would be publishing, “True Gretch: What I’ve Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between,” an account from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of her life and career as a lawyer, legislator and election as governor of Michigan. 

In a previous interview with the Advance, Whitmer said she’d always planned to write a book and would share more when the time was right, but denied a Page Six report that she had signed a book deal, telling the Advance “Don’t believe everything you read on Page Six.”

According to a press release from Simon & Schuster the book will release on July 9, 2024. Whitmer’s net proceeds from the book will be donated to the Capital Region Community Foundation throughout the remainder of her term as governor of Michigan. She will also narrate the audiobook. 

Whitmer is considered a top 2028 Democratic presidential candidate after tangling with former President Donald Trump during his first term, being a national voice on reproductive rights and winning reelection in 2022 by over 10 points. She is a national campaign co-chair for President Joe Biden’s reelection and this week headlined an Arizona event for him on abortion rights.

Mindy Marques, vice president and executive editor at Simon & Schuster, said, “We’ve been watching Whitmer carve a hugely successful path in these divisive times, and we are thrilled to be publishing her book. She is the very rare politician who can make change and find humor in politics, and her first book is as unconventional as she is.”

In the press release, Simon & Schuster said the book was “written with Whitmer’s trademark sense of humor and straight-shooting style,” saying it is “not only a compelling account of her remarkable journey, but also a blueprint for anyone who wants to make a difference in their community, their country, or the world,” and calling it a “testament to the power of humor, perseverance, and compassion in the face of darkness.”

The release said the book shares lessons in resilience that guided Whitmer through the COVID-19 pandemic, the rising threat of domestic terrorism and the fight to protect reproductive rights. 

“In this moment, our world is thirsty for compassion, empathy, big ideas, and the grit to get shit done. No matter who you are, or what you hope to achieve, I hope this book will help you find the good and use it to make a difference. I’ll be doing the same alongside you,” Whitmer said.