Mark Perloe On The 5 Things You Need To Be A Successful Author or Writer

Success — whether delivering care in reproductive endocrinology or crafting a children’s book — depends on teamwork.

Some writers and authors have a knack for using language that can really move people. Some writers and authors have been able to influence millions with their words alone. What does it take to become an effective and successful author or writer? In this interview series, called “5 Things You Need To Be A Successful Author or Writer” we are talking to successful authors and writers who can share lessons from their experiences. As part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark Perloe.

Mark Perloe worked as a doctor specializing in IVF for 32 years. Now retired, Mark’s favorite thing to do is spend time with his two grandsons. He also enjoys spending time with his therapy dog, Andrew. The two of them travel all over to put smiles on people’s faces. He is thrilled to have written and shared his first children’s book, “Milo’s Superpower”!

For more information, visit: https://www.MilosSuperpower.com

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?

Almost half a century ago, I wrote the book, “Miracle Babies and Other Happy Endings for Couples with Fertility Problems”. Today, many of the couples I helped to build their families are now grandparents and together with their Miracle Babies, parents themselves, seek out quality content for their children and grandchildren. This story, inspired by my two young grandchildren, seemed important to share.

Can you share the most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career?

After I retired and moved across the country, I became a part of my grandchildren’s lives. One day, the younger 4-year-old was sad because he felt his older brother got all the attention, and he was invisible. Yet Rocky was the family comedian and always found a way to brighten the mood with his smile. He always kept us laughing. On that day he brought his robot vacuum to visit our robot vacuum so they could enjoy each other’s company and wouldn’t feel lonely. He lit up with a smile and after turning them on, he called us into the room to see them dancing. The earlier stress melted away. I let him know that his ability to make us smile and brighten the room was his superpower. He took that message to heart, and that brought us closer. He learned an important lesson on emotional intelligence that I hoped would be compelling to his peers. After sharing this story with my co-author’s 2nd grade class I was convinced that “Milo’s Superpower” could have a larger audience.

What was the biggest challenge you faced in your journey to becoming a writer? How did you overcome it? Can you share a story about that that other aspiring writers can learn from?

As a first-time children’s picture book author, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I was sharing this story with my co-author, who offered to share the story with her class. The young students were encouraged to ask questions, share their thoughts about the characters, and what else they would like to learn about the story. The drawings were shared with the art teacher and helped to inspire the illustrations we adopted. This taught me the importance of understanding my audience.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

My biggest mistake was failing to understand the necessity of creating a realistic timeline that allowed sufficient time to explore the story, carefully edit it, create the illustrations, and merge them with the text. After that, I had to learn formatting, publishing options, and explore the various tools available to market and build an audience before publication.

In your opinion, were you a “natural born writer” or did you develop that aptitude later on? Can you explain what you mean?

While my first fertility book was written almost 45 years ago, and I have published numerous medical papers since then, it has been years since the need to share this story kindled the desire to create a children’s picture book. So, while I may be naturally able to see a story that I believe needs to be shared, I’d not describe myself as a “natural born writer”.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

My focus is to help promote “Milo’s Superpower” and share it with young children who might enjoy reading this book. For me, being a successful author is more about connecting with readers and offering an impactful story rather than simply selling books.

My pet therapy work has led me to wonder what our canine companions would say if, on a single day each year, they were allowed to speak their minds so humans could understand. “The Great Woofering: The Day the Dogs Learned to Talk” is a work in progress.

Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your experience, what are the “5 Things You Need To Be A Successful Author or Writer”? Please share a story or example for each.

1 . Embrace Collaboration

Success — whether delivering care in reproductive endocrinology or crafting a children’s book — depends on teamwork. As a physician, collaborating with nurses, embryologists, and patients taught me the value of clear communication, humility, and shared goals. When co-authoring “Milo’s Superpower,” working alongside a teacher and an illustrator brought new life to the story, just as medical teamwork enhanced patient outcomes. The collaborative process proves that great things rarely happen in isolation — embrace insights from every partner and be open to creative contributions from unexpected places.

2 . Know Your Audience — Twice

In medicine, success meant listening not just to a patient’s words, but to their hopes and anxieties, whether guiding a nervous couple or speaking at a conference. In writing, there’s a crucial realization: those who buy children’s books (parents, grandparents, teachers) are different from the little ones who treasure the story. When sharing “Milo’s Superpower” with my grandson’s pre-school classmates and watching them light up, it became clear that we need to tailor the message for both the gatekeeper and the end reader. Both matter and deserve thoughtful attention.

3 . Make an Effort to Learn What You Don’t Know: Be a Lifelong Learner

Medicine’s ever-evolving challenges fostered a love of learning. As an author, publishing this book was only the first step — the real education began with marketing, event planning, digital promotion, and connecting with reviewers. For instance, exploring social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram requires humility, experimentation, and reaching out to seasoned marketers. New authors should embrace the unknown and remember: every setback is a lesson, and curiosity opens more doors than fear ever could.

4 . Define Your Own Success

Patient gratitude came in many forms during a medical career — from heartfelt thanks to handwritten notes. As an author, success could mean glowing Amazon reviews, a child’s laughter during a reading, or reconnecting with former patients now sharing “Milo’s Superpower” with their grandchildren. Whether it’s the number of books sold or the power of a single personal connection, define success in a way that feels meaningful to you, not by what others prescribe.

5. Seek Community, Stay Savvy

Just as sharing tough cases with medical colleagues brought wisdom and camaraderie, connecting with other authors brings encouragement, solutions, and support. Reach out to those on a similar journey and those who’ve gone ahead — but also practice caution. The world of publishing has its share of opportunists. When approached by purported promoters for “Milo’s Superpower,” careful research and asking for peer recommendations made all the difference. Trust your instincts and protect your work.

What is the one habit you believe contributed the most to you becoming a great writer? (i.e. perseverance, discipline, play, craft study). Can you share a story or example?

The single habit that has most shaped my growth as a writer is the practice of deep listening. In both medicine and storytelling, listening well means noticing the moments — spoken and unspoken — where the heart of a story can be found. Before a single word is written, the story already exists in the emotions, questions, and hope of real people. Our task is to discover that story and uncover its truth.

“Milo’s Superpower” began not at my desk, but at a playground with my grandson, Rocky. After a morning of laughter and imagination with his friends, Rocky confided that one of the boys “did not have a superpower.” That small moment was a turning point. Rather than rushing to explain or fix, I listened — and we wondered together: What if some kids, like Clark Kent, keep their superpowers hidden? Or maybe this friend hadn’t discovered his yet, and Rocky could help him see it. Out of this honest, curious exchange grew a story that now connects children and grandparents alike.

Listening deeply means opening the door to inspiration and to the authentic connections that make stories matter — on the page and in life.

Which literature do you draw inspiration from? Why?

The literature that deeply inspires includes timeless classics like The Polar Express, The Giving Tree, The Butter Battle Book, and Goodnight Moon. What resonates most isn’t just the words themselves, but the shared experience of reading these books with my children. Witnessing their wide eyes, repeated requests night after night, and the joy they found in the rhythms and messages of these tales were truly special moments. These books taught lessons about kindness, imagination, courage, and love that resonated far beyond the pages. They are reminders of the magic that can be unlocked when a story connects deeply with a child — and inspires a lifelong love of reading and storytelling.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

A “Discover Your Superpower” movement can bring profound good to children and society by empowering young minds to recognize their unique strengths and potential from an early age. By fostering self-awareness, confidence, and kindness, such a movement helps children build resilience and positive self-identity, which are critical for healthy social and emotional development. When children learn to appreciate their own abilities and those of others, it nurtures empathy, inclusiveness, and cooperation — qualities that benefit communities and society as a whole.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

https://www.MilosSuperpower.com

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok: @milossuperpower

Thank you so much for this. This was very inspiring!