New Book Reveals Untold Story of Motown Songwriter Sylvia Moy

Moy's family threatens lawsuit over unauthorized biography

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Prior to the pandemic, Chicago-based writer Margena A. Christian knew little about Detroit songwriter and producer Sylvia Moy, even after covering Motown matters for publications like Jet and Ebony. But that changed in 2021 when Christian saw an online post featuring a photo of Moy with Stevie Wonder, prompting her to research Moy's life and write an unauthorized biography titled "It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy."

Why it matters

Sylvia Moy was a pioneering Black female songwriter and producer who helped shape the iconic Motown sound, but her story has largely gone untold. This new unauthorized biography aims to shed light on her overlooked contributions, though her family has threatened legal action over the book's release.

The details

Christian's book delves into Moy's role in co-writing hits like Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour" and "I Was Made to Love Her." However, Moy's family has threatened to sue the publisher, claiming the book contains inaccuracies and unauthorized use of Moy's personal information and likeness.

  • In 2021, Christian saw an online post featuring a photo of Moy with Stevie Wonder, prompting her research into Moy's life.
  • The unauthorized biography "It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy" is set to be published.

The players

Margena A. Christian

A Chicago-based writer who previously covered Motown matters for publications like Jet and Ebony, and is the author of the unauthorized biography on Sylvia Moy.

Sylvia Moy

A pioneering Black female songwriter and producer who helped shape the iconic Motown sound, but whose story has largely gone untold until now.

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What they’re saying

“Prior to the pandemic, Margena A. Christian knew next to nothing about Detroit songwriter and producer Sylvia Moy, even after covering Motown matters for publications such as Jet and Ebony.”

— Margena A. Christian, Author

What’s next

Moy's family has threatened to sue the publisher over the unauthorized biography, claiming it contains inaccuracies and unauthorized use of Moy's personal information and likeness.

The takeaway

This new unauthorized biography aims to shed light on the overlooked contributions of Sylvia Moy, a pioneering Black female songwriter and producer who helped shape the iconic Motown sound, though her family's legal threats highlight the complexities around telling untold stories.