What George Santos Teaches Authors

 

 

Some authors are uncomfortable speaking about their accomplishments. They feel like it will be seen as bragging. They just find themselves fearful of stating facts that place them in a positive light. On the other end of the spectrum are people who don’t blink twice when making up stories, laying claim to accomplishments that never happened, and falsifying their resume. Meet George Santos.

He is only the sixth member of the United States House of Representatives to get expelled while serving in Congress. He was arrested and convicted on charges of identity theft and wire fraud. He lied about everything in order to get elected to Congress and broke various campaign laws. He lived a hoax. He was sentenced to prison for seven years and three months after he pled guilty. He will only serve fewer than three months behind bars after President Donald Trump, no stranger to lying, normalizing distortions, and ignoring the truth himself, commuted his sentence. He also no longer has to pay nearly $600,000 in forfeiture and restitution. 

Why?

Because of politics, maybe blackmail, and probably money. It was not on the merits of the case or about a fair trial. Santos was dead wrong, the proof was there, and he confessed. Proper procedures were followed. There is no justice system.

I don’t want to write a post about what a scumbag Santos is — it is obvious to everyone, even most Republicans, nor about how Trump, even if you like some of his policies, is breaking our democracy down (dictator on free speech, waging lawfare on his enemies, seeking to fire people who disagree with him, illegally using the national guard). No, that is for others to do. But the plight of Santos should in some ways buoy authors to see they should not fear to promote a truthful version of themselves.

The lesson here is not to lie, falsify records, or cheat to get what you want, even though Santos is proof that you can do just that. No, his story should tell you that you have nothing to fear or feel guilty about when highlighting your accomplishments and positive attributes.

We can’t let a loser lie and break the rules just to aggrandize himself — and get away with it — while you, an honest and decent person feel awkward to say you won an award, graduated from a great school, or did some good deeds. You should shed any reservations and get out there and let anyone know who will listen that you believe you have a great book and to share any supportive statements that will help people be open to trying your book.

The only lie you must avoid is the one you tell yourself, the one that says you are not good enough, that no one cares about you, or that says you feel like an impostor. Fear not. We need to hear your truth and not the lies of Santos.

 

Do You Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 5,000,000 page views. With 5,400+ posts over the past 14 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs  by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2025.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum