I’m Going All In! No More “Imposter Syndrome”!

 IMPOSTER SYNDROME: “a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success.”

Social Psychologist, Dr. Amy Cuddy

When people refer to me as an author, I generally respond with something like, ” Well… Gee.. thanks, but I’m not a real writer.” Or maybe, “No. I’m not really. I just have a lot of stories to tell.” Apparently, I am suffering from imposter syndrome, the mistaken belief that despite writing and publishing more than 200 blog posts and three books, I am not worthy of the title of author.

I’m done with that. I’ve spent my whole life downplaying my achievements. It seems somewhat obnoxious to acknowledge them. But, last month I was invited to participate in “Woodbury Writes,” a series of podcasts moderated by Sandy Carlson, the Poet Laureate of Woodbury, CT. When Sandy approached me at Woodbury Library’s “Local Author’s Day,” my first inclination was to decline the invitation to be interviewed on her podcast. Then I thought, “Why not? If she thinks I’m a real writer, maybe I am.” In the same moment, I realized it would be good exposure for my forthcoming novel, Nothing Really Bad Will Happen.

I’ve decided to go all in. I’m planning to release the novel on Amazon in the coming year and I might as well accept that I am, in fact, an author. There I said it. I AM AN AUTHOR. If that sounds obnoxious, so be it. Actually, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain by promoting my book. Most importantly, my family’s story will reach a wider audience.

It’s not a unique tale. Jewish family loses everything. They get out of Europe. They struggle to build new lives in America. There are probably millions of similar stories. And, at least 6 million more which ended tragically. That is precisely why I am publishing my great-grandfather’s story. My mother’s family was a typical Jewish family, living in Vienna, Austria, and working hard to build a legacy. Then, in 1938, it was snatched away. There was nothing special about my family. No heroic acts resulting in their story being memorialized in history. They were one of millions just like them whose stories deserve to be told; whose lives need to be remembered. Because it happened.

I’m embracing my new “career” as an author. In the coming weeks, I will be launching a new blog. It will be a companion site to the novel. Be sure to subscribe to this blog, or follow me on Facebook (Nothing Really Bad Will Happen) to stay updated. In the meantime, you can listen to the podcast by clicking on the image below. Once you are on Sandy’s page, scroll down. I am Episode 7, Season 1. I hope you enjoy it. I actually don’t sound too “doofus-y”!