Joshua Sklare grew up surrounded by books. His grandfather wrote a memoir, America, I Love You, that inspired Josh. His father, Marshall Sklare, was a sociology professor at Brandeis University and a published author. His mother, Rose Sklare, spent her career as an editor at some of America’s most respected publishers—Ginn & Co., Macmilian, Harcourt Brace, and Little, Brown. She was the founding inspiration for Classic Stories.
In December 2005, a relative asked Josh to help write a private biography for family and a few close friends. After researching the field of private memoirs and biographies, he found a glaring gap. The books lacked the research rigor, writing quality, and production values of the best commercially available books.
What began as a single project became a twenty-year practice, Classic Stories—originally founded as Montefiore Press, Inc.—has since produced thirty-eight private volumes for some of America’s most accomplished individuals.
Classic Stories strives to entertain, enlighten, and inspire your readers while giving them an accurate and meaningful record of your journey.
with you and our team
with everyone
for clients, colleagues, and vendors
of our work
to our work and clients
in what we do
Fortune 500 CEOs and board members, exceptional entrepreneurs, elite professionals, celebrated philanthropists, and multigenerational family business owners.
Accounting - manufacturing - legal - real estate - healthcare - technology - construction - financial services - energy - telecom - professional services - wholesale - education
“My late husband thoroughly enjoyed the experience, which he also thought was deeply meaningful for him. Our family treasured the books, which are beautiful heirlooms. Josh, Michael, and the Classic Stories team did a wonderful job. I would highly recommend them.”
President and Founder
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Josh has authored twenty-three private biographies and memoirs for some of America's most accomplished individuals. Educated in sociology and English, and shaped by a family of authors and editors, he has devoted his career to preserving lives of consequence.
Author
A national bestselling author (The Boat Runner) and full professor of creative writing at Bradley University. Devin brings the narrative craft and literary sensibility of a writer at the top of his field to every Classic Stories project he touches. He has written six manuscripts for Classic Stories.
Executive Vice President and Author
Dave holds a master's in English from the University of Missouri and has written two biographies and one memoir for Classic Stories, plus numerous papers and short stories.
Director of Historical Research
Michael holds a master's from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design and a genealogical certificate from Boston University. He provides the deep historical and genealogical research that gives every Classic Stories memoir its dimension and context.
Director of Marketing and Client Services
Brittany oversees the execution of marketing campaigns, manages inbound inquiries, and schedules client interviews.
Senior Sales Development Director
Mark has twenty-two years of sales experience and is a US Army veteran.
Writer, Editor, Researcher
With nearly twenty years of experience in the publishing industry, Jason's breadth of knowledge and editorial precision ensure that every manuscript meets the standard of the finest commercially published books.
Director of Sales Development
Alfredo helps families explore preserving their life stories and experiences for future generations. He brings nearly two decades of sales experience and a relationship-first approach centered on listening, authenticity, and respect.
Director of Design
Julie has designed over 100 books and holds a degree in design from Syracuse University.
