Matthew West Writes ‘The Story of Your Life’

He's a singer and a songwriter, and now Contemporary Christian artist Matthew West can add author to his list of job titles. The 33-year-old has joined forces with best-selling writer Angela Thomas to pen his first-ever book, 'The Story of Your Life: Inspiring Stories of God at Work in People Just Like You.'

Matthew came up with the idea for the book following the success of his critically-acclaimed CD, 'The Story of Your Life,' which spurred more than 10,000 people -- from every state in the nation and 20 countries -- to share their own personal experiences with the Nashville native.

"As stories began to pour in by the thousands, I quickly sensed that not only was something special taking place, but that my life was about to change," Matthew notes. "During those months, my eyes were opened to see the world outside my door like I had never witnessed before."

The letters that poured in, detailing people's personal struggles with everything from divorce to drug addiction, were an eye-opener for Dove-award-winning artist. "I had no idea I would get this many responses," Matthew admits to The Boot. "I knew how to write how I see the world, but it was very scary to think I had opened it up to write about how others see the world when I told them to send me their stories."

The book, which will hit shelves in September, will be followed up by another entitled 'What's Your Story' with an accompanying DVD.

This isn't Matthew's first foray into emotional tales. He previously recorded the tear-jerking tune, 'One Last Christmas,' which shared the true story of Dax Locke, a two-year old who tragically lost his battle with cancer. Proceeds from the song benefit St. Jude Children's Hospital.

The tunesmith has also been busy in the country and pop market. Scoring a song on Montgomery Gentry's upcoming CD, 'Rebels on the Run,' he has also spent time penning songs with the band Hanson and former 'American Idol' winner, Kris Allen. The married father of two will hit the road this fall for his Story of Your Life tour, with Jonny Diaz serving as opening act. See his tour schedule here.