Mars on Earth

Marketing + Promo:
National, regional, and subject-specific print features, excerpts, review coverage, broadcast and television interviews

Publicity and promotion in conjunction with author's speaking engagements

Pre-order campaign targeting booksellers via social media + newsletters

Outreach to subject-specific organizations, markets and festivals

Excerpts available

Electronic ARCs

Media + Publicity contact: james@full-complement.com

Social Media + Foreign Rights contact: grace@rmbooks.com


Key Selling Points:
Unique Perspective:Mars on Earth offers a fresh and unique perspective on travel memoirs. It follows a gay expat's journey, providing a deeper understanding of his partner and the adoptive homeland, bringing a fresh and relatable angle to the genre.

Otherworldly Setting:

Set against the backdrop of the Atacama Desert, the driest non-polar desert on Earth, the book explores alien landscapes that NASA uses to test instruments for Mars. The captivating descriptions of camel-colored hills, windswept dunes, and desolate salt flats create a vivid and immersive reading experience.

Compelling Narrative:

Written by American journalist Mark Johanson, the narrative takes readers on a 1,200-mile journey through the Atacama, unfolding during Chile's 2019-2020 protests. This adds a layer of social and political relevance, offering readers more than just a travelogue.

Human Stories:

The heart of the book lies in the people of the Atacama. Through encounters with scientists, gurus, copper miners, llama herders, and others, the author weaves a rich tapestry of voices, including those of marginalized communities such as working class, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and immigrant Venezuelan and Haitian communities.

Timely and Relevant:

With Chile being a fast-growing travel destination and the country's tourism industry expected to rebound post-pandemic, the book provides valuable insights for potential visitors, especially in the lesser-explored regions like the greater Atacama Desert.

Newsworthy Topics:

The book covers topics that are expected to make headlines in the coming years, including the construction of advanced astronomy facilities and the Atacama's role in the Green Revolution, shedding light on environmental issues related to lithium extraction.

Underrepresented Perspective:

Mars on Earth

breaks new ground by featuring a gay protagonist in a committed relationship, challenging stereotypes. It provides a narrative that is both unique and universal, navigating the complexities of transnational relationships against the backdrop of modern history.

Appealing to a Broad Audience:

Mark envisions his book appealing to a broad audience, including readers who enjoyed bestsellers like "To Shake the Sleeping Self," "Wild," and "Less," as well as fans of well-known travel writers like Paul Theroux, Pico Iyer, and Jon Krakauer.

Visual Appeal:

The inclusion of illustrated materials, including black and white photos, enhances the visual appeal of the book, offering readers a multi-sensory experience.