The Poet Who Broke Through: How Renzo del Castillo Made Still a Bestselling, Award-Winning Collection
Author: Renzo del Castillo
Book Title: Still: A Collection of Poetry
Bestseller Status: #1 in multiple Amazon poetry categories
Awards: Winner, International Latino Book Awards
Takeaway: With heart, purpose, and the right support, even poetry can become a bestselling, award-winning force for connection and legacy.
The Beginning: A Poet with a Purpose
Renzo del Castillo never set out to become a bestselling author. A dedicated healthcare professional by training, his world was one of precision, policy, and process. But beneath the surface, Renzo was also a poet—a quiet observer of life, loss, and love, someone who felt the weight of moments too deep for prose.
After enduring the passing of several beloved family members, Renzo found himself drawn to the page—not to escape his grief, but to honor it. He wanted to preserve the emotional legacy of those he had loved and lost, to speak their truths not through memoir or biography, but through metaphor and meter.
He titled the collection Still: A Collection of Poetry—a word that evoked stillness, survival, and enduring love. Writing the book became both an act of healing and a gift to his lineage.
“I had something to say,” Renzo explains. “I don’t know if it was about legacy, but I wanted something tangible that added to my family’s footprint.”
As it turns out, that footprint would stretch much farther than he ever imagined.
The Challenge: A Book with Heart, But No Platform
After self-publishing Still through an independent publisher, Renzo faced the same daunting question many first-time authors do: How do I get people to actually read my book?
His publisher, while excellent in editorial and design, didn’t yet have the marketing infrastructure to support the book’s reach. Renzo had already poured his soul into the writing—now he needed a trusted partner to help amplify it.
Through a recommendation from a friend and fellow author, Esther Zeledon, Renzo was introduced to Authors on Mission, a full-service book marketing and author support agency.
After a candid and collaborative call with the founder, Vikrant Shaurya, Renzo was intrigued. “We hit it off right away,” he recalls. “Vikrant was transparent from the beginning—this was going to be their first poetry book. It wasn’t created through their system, and that meant there would be some challenges. But he was game if I was.”
Renzo agreed—and the journey from published book to bestselling work began.
Building the Strategy: A Custom Marketing Plan
Because Still had already been published, the Authors on Mission team took a flexible, strategic approach. Instead of the full writing-to-launch pipeline, they focused on ancillary services designed to elevate the book’s credibility and discoverability. These included:
Renzo and the team targeted specific poetry-related categories on Amazon that aligned with the themes of his work, such as:
- Latin American & Caribbean Poetry
- Family Poetry
- Inspirational Poetry
Using a combination of keyword optimization, timed promotions, and strategic review gathering, Still surged up the rankings—eventually hitting #1 bestseller status in multiple categories.
“We reached the number one spot in two or three categories. That validation gave me a platform to reach out to bookstores, critics, and literary circles. It opened doors.”
2. Verified Review Acquisition
Authors on Mission guaranteed 15–20 verified reviews on Amazon—but Renzo’s book far exceeded that baseline. These reviews weren’t just numbers—they were personal, emotional responses from readers who resonated deeply with the poems.
“The reviews brought the book to life in other people’s words. That meant a lot.”
3. Podcast Publicity Tour
One of the most impactful services, according to Renzo, was the podcast booking campaign. Though he had never appeared on a podcast before, he was quickly booked on multiple shows, thanks to the persistence and professionalism of the AOM publicist, Janna.
“She was incredibly thorough and responsive. Even though we were in different time zones, communication was seamless. The experience was world-class.”
Through podcasts, Renzo found a new, intimate way to talk about his book—and about the larger conversations it sparked around grief, art, and cultural heritage.
4. Audiobook Production
Although the team offered to find a professional narrator, they encouraged Renzo to record the audiobook himself—recognizing that poetry, especially personal poetry, is best conveyed in the voice of its creator.
“They said, ‘You have a great voice—read it yourself.’ And I did. I locked myself in a room for eight hours and got it done. Was it exhausting? Yes. But hearing the final product—my voice, my words—it was incredibly rewarding.”
Thanks to expert guidance on microphone selection and audio clarity, the final audiobook was polished and professional—and is now available on Audible.
Obstacles Along the Way: Adaptation & Alignment
The partnership was not without challenges. Because Renzo had come in with a pre-published book, many of the usual input/output systems at Authors on Mission didn’t directly apply. There were formatting mismatches, versioning issues, and moments of misalignment.
But what made the difference was communication and commitment.
Renzo’s background in project management allowed him to collaborate proactively with the team. Still, he pointed out that certain elements—such as a more detailed intake form at the beginning—could help streamline processes and reduce friction for future clients.
“If you know what you need to provide your outcome, then build that into the client onboarding. It reduces guesswork and saves time on both sides. Not every client will know how to project manage themselves.”
The Recognition, Reach, and Resonance
With Authors on Mission’s support, Still: A Collection of Poetry achieved the following milestones:
- 📚 #1 Amazon Bestseller in multiple poetry categories
- ⭐ 30+ Verified Amazon Reviews, exceeding expectations
- 🎙️ Booked on multiple podcasts, opening up new audiences
- 🎧 Audiobook released on Audible, narrated by Renzo himself
- 🏆 Winner of the International Latino Book Awards, one of the five largest book award programs in the U.S.
These tangible achievements transformed Still from a personal collection into a recognized literary work.
The Future: Poetry as a Portal for Empathy
Renzo’s aspirations for the book don’t stop with rankings or downloads. He envisions Still being carried in international bookstores, discussed in literary circles, and used as a bridge for empathy and self-discovery.
“My dream is that someone reads Still and says, ‘I want to know more.’ Maybe I’m not their favorite poet, but if I can lead them to someone else—if I can open the door—that’s success.”
Renzo believes poetry and art are essential tools in our modern world—especially as attention spans shrink and digital distraction grows.
“We’re losing the ability to sit with complexity, to feel deeply, to empathize. Poetry helps restore that. It exercises the parts of the brain that build bridges instead of walls.”
Renzo's Testimonial
Writing Still was a transformative journey for Renzo del Castillo, allowing him to process deep personal loss, honor the memory of loved ones, and preserve his family’s legacy through poetry. It became a powerful outlet for emotion, reflection, and healing, giving voice to stories too intimate for literal retelling. In capturing these themes artistically, Renzo not only found personal catharsis but also created a work that resonates with readers, inviting them into moments of empathy, connection, and shared humanity.
Conclusion: A True Collaboration Between Art and Strategy
Renzo del Castillo’s journey with Still is a shining example of what can happen when creative intention meets strategic action.
With deep vulnerability, he created a book to honor his past. With professionalism and care, Authors on Mission helped him share that book with the world.
It wasn’t always easy—but it was always worth it.
“Everything we set out to do, we did. And we did more than I expected. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
If you’re an author with a story to tell—at any stage of the journey—Renzo’s success proves that with the right team, your voice can reach farther than you ever imagined.
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