Panel: Author Success Stories
Mark isn’t here as a theorist; he is here as an author who used markpaulauthor.com, audiobooks, and viral podcasts—including an NPR Snap Judgment feature with over 5 million views – to stay visible.
Mark will share his “5 Secrets” for bypassing the dry documentary style and writing narrative non-fiction that keeps authors from ever falling into the “Amazon Well”:
- The Narrative Edge: Using a cinematic style with dialogue rather than a dry documentary approach.
- Lovable Characters: Crafting real-life figures that readers connect with emotionally.
- The Short Book Strategy: The tactical benefit of a fast, tight 162-page read that keeps readers engaged.
- Category Intent: Why you must write specifically for the categories (like True Crime) that readers are already searching for.
- The Marketing Loop: How to keep your marketing engine running so you never fall into—and get stuck in—the “Amazon Well.”
Mark Paul is the author of the Amazon #1 bestseller, The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told. A licensed horse owner with a background in high-stakes adventure—from racing motorcycles in Mexico to a million-dollar Kentucky Derby win – Mark applied that same “all-in” mentality to his book marketing. Without a massive catalog or a traditional publishing background, he propelled his “Narcos meets Seabiscuit” true-crime thriller to over 75,000 copies sold and a #1 digital bestseller ranking.
