Augusten Burroughs, born Christopher Richter Robison on October 23, 1965, is an iconic figure in contemporary literature, best known for his New York Times bestselling memoir Running with Scissors (2002). Burroughs has led an extraordinarily vivid and tumultuous life, marked by profound experiences that have not only shaped him but have also resonated with a wide audience through his writing.

Before embarking on a successful career as a writer, Burroughs endured a challenging childhood, the details of which he would later recount with unflinching honesty in his memoirs. He is the son of poet and writer Margaret Robison and the younger brother of John Elder Robison. Despite the lack of a formal education beyond elementary school, Burroughs's innate talent for storytelling propelled him into the world of advertising, where he worked as a copywriter for over seventeen years.

However, it was his personal battles, including a...