An American Author May Be First to Profit from Brazil’s Economic Boom as Latin American Women Invest in Spirituality and Self-Help

SALES OF STEVEN CARTER’S RELATIONSHIP BOOKS ARE BREAKING RECORDS IN BRAZIL AS WOMEN EXPERIENCE BETTER JOBS, HIGHER PAY, MORE INDEPENDENCE, AND SOME UNPLEASANT PUSH BACK FROM MEN NOT QUITE READY FOR WOMEN TO HAVE IT ALL.


The economy of Brazil is transforming at lightening speed. So is the cultural fabric of this huge country, now poised to become the fifth largest economy in the world. Signs of change are everywhere, but for American author Steven Carter, the biggest signs of that change are in Brazilian bookstores, and they’re dollar signs.

Two of Carter’s books, “What Smart Women Know” and “Men Like Women Who Like Themselves,” originally published in the U.S. in the 1990’s, have been on the bestseller lists of Brazil’s biggest newspapers and magazines, including Folha de S. Paulo and Revista Veja, for the past 98 weeks. Last week, the Los Angeles Times published an article about Carter’s stunning success. The daily newspaper provides information on local news, business, sports, politics, science, environment, entertainment and lifestyle.

To read this article, cut and paste the following link into your browser: http://www.latimes.com/features/books/la-et-self26-2008jul26,0,2920383.story

“It’s the last thing in the world I expected" said Carter, who lives with his wife in Los Angeles and currently serves as Dean of Administration at Yo San University, a school of Chinese medicine.

Carter, the author of 20 books including seven national bestsellers and the New York Times bestseller “Men Who Can’t Love”, didn’t find out that his books were on Brazil’s bestseller lists until he received his first royalty check in the mail. And it was a big one.

“I was certain a mistake had been made,” said Carter, who had sold the international rights to his books years before. “There were so many zeroes! I was certain I’d have to return the money. But after a few phone calls, I discovered that no mistake had been made.”

Only certain American self-help books do well in the international market. But Brazil seems ripe for some American-style self-help. “What Smart Women Know” has already sold over 400,000 copies in Brazil. Its sequel, “Men Like Women Who Like Themselves” has sold over 100,000 copies in the past 15 weeks.

Carter’s Brazilian publisher, Marcos Pereira, co-owner of the self-help and spirituality publishing company GMT Sextante, has not been completely surprised by Carter’s success. He knows how strongly Brazilian women are now responding to well-written books with a psychological slant.

“We are a very focused company in terms of our business -- one of the ways we try to find books is to establish what kinds of books would identify with the reader” Pereira said. “The role of women in the Brazilian culture or economy has evolved,” explained Pereira, “If you think of the U.S. 20 years ago, I think this is happening now in Brazil. Women are rethinking their roles.” “This rethinking is happening fast, adds Steven Carter, “Women are embracing their success and independence while firmly rejecting Brazil’s machismo past. They’re ready to deal with the push back.”

Carter returns to Brazil this week for the Bienal de Sao Paulo and another round of media appearances, book signings and lectures.


To read the complete L.A. Times article, cut and paste this link in your web browser: http://www.latimes.com/features/books/la-et-self26-2008jul26,0,2920383.story

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