Ross: Seven Surprising Secrets of Best-Selling Female Authors

On November 18th, the Conservative Women’s Network, a gathering of conservative women co-sponsored by the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute and the Heritage Foundation, had the pleasure of welcoming to the podium Mrs. Marji Ross, President of Regnery Publishing, which has published almost 50 New York Times best sellers in the last twelve and a half years. Mrs. Ross, a wife and mother, spoke about secrets she has learned from the most successful conservative women authors—lessons as applicable in marriage, family, and interpersonal relationships as in the business world.

Mrs. Ross shared three lessons she has learned from Regnery's success. The list begins with two essential questions that must be asked, not only when beginning to write a book, but also before undertaking any sort of communication: “Who is this for and why do they care?” Secondly, don't try to be "all things to all people." Clarity in doing what we know, and doing it well, is the key to success.

The third lesson, as Mrs. Ross put it, is to “hunt where the ducks are.” She urged the audience to “spend time with your niche and business.” This is the clearest and best way to understand them and succeed in your communications among those with whom they work as well as in their interpersonal relationships.

Mrs. Ross then discussed the seven things she has learned in the course of her career from some of the best-selling women authors with whom she has had the pleasure to work.  Her insights ranged from women’s innate understanding of the significance of building and nurturing key relationships to the importance of having character and integrity in everything we do.

Mrs. Ross closed by advising the audience to value and nurture their relationships and to be trustworthy and supportive if they want others to trust and support them. She stressed the importance of finding a good husband and being a good wife, in whatever way they interpret that to be. She suggested the audience “write down what they believe, live by it, and share it with your children.”  Above all, she told the audience, don't chase success and leave happiness behind.

posted by Catherine Helsley

Update: A print version of Ms. Ross's remarks is available here.