In this week’s episode of The Author’s Mic™, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark Perloe, retired physician turned indie children’s author. Mark, alongside his cousin’s daughter (a second-grade teacher in Connecticut), created the delightful children’s book Milo Superpower — a story that encourages kids to discover their unique strengths and believe in themselves.

This interview is full of lessons for indie authors, parents, and anyone curious about self-publishing, creativity, and resilience.

The Birth of Milo Superpower

The inspiration behind Milo Superpower began in the classroom. Mark’s cousin’s daughter noticed her son was struggling as a reluctant reader. Determined to spark his love of reading, she drafted a story about Milo — a second grader with superpowers.

She reached out to Mark, who brought decades of experience as a physician, writer, and now retiree with time to collaborate. Together, they refined the story, tested it with children, and eventually self-published it.

The result? A children’s book that resonates with kids and parents alike.

Why Milo Resonates With Kids

Milo isn’t your average superhero. He’s relatable, fun, and faces challenges just like real kids do.

Mark shared some of the playful inspiration:

A grandson who thought his robot vacuum was lonely, so he introduced it to another one so they could “be friends.”

Children using humor and creativity to navigate stress.

Classroom test groups who loved Milo and even drew pictures before the illustrations were finalized.

Milo reflects the quirky, joyful ways kids see the world — making the book engaging, funny, and meaningful.

The Bigger Message: We All Have Superpowers

One of the book’s most powerful takeaways is the idea that every child has a superpower.

Some powers are obvious (creativity, humor, kindness).

Others are hidden, waiting to be discovered.

Every child has value — even if they haven’t found their “superpower” yet.

That universal message makes Milo Superpower more than just a story — it’s a confidence-builder for kids.

Future Adventures of Milo

Mark hinted at several upcoming ideas for Milo books, including:

The Great Whiffering — the day dogs learn to talk.

Milo’s Four Questions — a Passover-inspired story where Milo reframes traditions with curiosity.

Stories of friendship, family, and humor inspired by real-life grandkids.

The Milo series isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about teaching empathy, resilience, and imagination.

The Indie Author Journey (and the Scams Along the Way)

Like many indie authors, Mark faced challenges beyond writing:

Getting scammed by freelancers who promised book design help but delivered nothing.

Navigating Amazon and IngramSpark to self-publish in print and hardcover.

Resisting offers to “pay for reviews” or expensive marketing scams.

Mark’s story is a reminder: do your research, trust your instincts, and never pay someone just to “care” about your book. Authentic readers and reviewers matter more than inflated numbers.

Why Authentic Connections Matter More Than Algorithms

During our conversation, Mark and I agreed: real-world connections are often more powerful than social media algorithms.

Some of the best ways to market a children’s book like Milo Superpower include:

Visiting schools and classrooms (kids love coloring pages and activities).

Donating books to libraries or children’s museums.

Building community through genuine conversations and book clubs.

That’s the heart of indie publishing: connection over clicks.

Where to Find Milo Superpower

You can order Milo Superpower directly from the website: milosuperpower.com 

.It’s available in print-on-demand format, making it affordable and accessible.

You can also find reviews — including a standout YouTube video review by a librarian — that highlight why parents and kids are falling in love with Milo.

Final Thoughts

Mark Perloe’s journey from physician to children’s book author shows us that it’s never too late to create, collaborate, and inspire. Milo Superpower reminds kids (and adults) that we all have unique strengths worth celebrating.

For indie authors, this interview is also a reminder: stay authentic, watch out for scams, and build communities that matter.

Get Involved with Bright Headed Publishing

✨ Be a guest on The Author’s Mic™: brightheadedpublishing.com/be-a-guest 

✨ Join the Indie Reader Society: bookclubs.com/the-i ndie-reader-society/join

✨ Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/qIK_2pq0DEk 

✨ Explore more at: brightheadedpublishing.com 

indie author, self-publishing, children’s book, Milo Superpower, Mark Perloe, indie publishing, authors of color, authentic storytelling, book marketing, indie reader society, Author’s Mic podcast.