Imposter syndrome is the nagging belief that you’re not as competent as others perceive you to be.

It can be especially debilitating for indie authors who often work in isolation and don’t have the institutional validation that traditionally published authors might receive.

In this post, we delve into methods and practices to overcome imposter syndrome as an indie author.

Why Imposter Syndrome Hits Hard

Lack of External Validation

In corporate publishing, the process itself provides several layers of external validation—getting an agent, securing a publisher, and receiving editorial feedback.

When you’re an indie author, those checkpoints often don’t exist.

You are your own cheerleader, editor, and critic, which can make it hard to gauge the quality of your work objectively.

The lack of external validation can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy.

High Expectations

The literary world still holds traditionally published authors in high esteem.

As an indie author, you might feel the pressure to match or even outperform these industry veterans.

These high expectations, often self-imposed, can amplify your insecurities, making you question your talent and the worthiness of your work.

The Solitude of Writing

Let’s face it, writing is often a solitary endeavour.

While this solitude allows for deep focus and creativity, it can also be a breeding ground for self-doubt.

Without colleagues or supervisors to provide regular affirmations or constructive criticism, it’s easy to let your inner critic run rampant, further fuelling imposter syndrome.

Approaches to Imposter Syndrome

Having identified why indie authors are particularly susceptible to imposter syndrome, it’s crucial to adopt effective strategies to combat this debilitating mindset.

Psychological approaches can offer powerful tools for rewiring your thoughts and behaviours. Here’s how:

Challenge Negative Thoughts

The inner critic thrives on generalisations and magnified perceptions of failure.

Whenever a self-doubting thought crosses your mind, stop and examine its validity.

Ask yourself questions like, “Is this thought based on facts?”, “Have I succeeded in similar situations before?”, and “Am I setting unrealistic standards for myself?”

By actively challenging negative thought patterns, you undermine their power.

Affirmations

One of the ways to redirect your mental pathway is through positive affirmations.

Develop a list of statements that affirm your skills and accomplishments as an author. For instance:

• “I am a talented writer with unique stories to tell.”
• “My work brings value to my readers.”
• “I deserve success just as much as anyone else.”

Regularly recite these affirmations, especially when you catch yourself in a cycle of self-doubt.

Self-Compassion

You’re Not Alone

Firstly, it’s essential to understand that you’re not alone.

Even the most celebrated and successful authors have, at some point, experienced imposter syndrome.

Knowing that this is a common emotional experience can help normalize your feelings.

Reach out to other authors, perhaps through online communities or local writing groups, and you’ll find that many share your sentiments.

Celebrate Small Wins

One of the most effective ways to beat imposter syndrome is to start acknowledging even the smallest of achievements.

Did you complete a chapter today? Celebrate it.

Did a reader leave a positive review? Take a moment to soak it in.

By regularly celebrating these “small wins,” you’re creating a log of genuine accomplishments that you can revisit whenever self-doubt creeps in.

Recognising and honouring your achievements, no matter how small, begins to build a more accurate, positive picture of your abilities and contributions, enabling you to navigate the writing world with greater confidence.

Strategies for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

In addition to the psychological strategies we’ve discussed, professional avenues offer another layer of support in overcoming imposter syndrome.

After all, nothing alleviates self-doubt like evidence of your own competence and the acknowledgement of your peers. Let’s delve into these avenues:

Peer Validation

Join Author Groups

Being a part of a community can offer invaluable emotional and professional support.

When you surround yourself with other authors, you can gain a more rational perspective on your abilities and skills.

This community can also help you stay abreast of industry trends, which can further enhance your confidence as you navigate the literary world.

Seek Feedback

Feedback is the lifeblood of improvement.

But more than that, constructive criticism and praise can offer a reality check when you’re spiralling into self-doubt.

Make it a point to get your work critiqued by trusted peers, beta readers, or writing coaches.

This not only helps you hone your craft but also provides a more grounded view of your capabilities.

Skill Enhancement

Professional Development

Constant learning is key to self-assurance.

Attend writing workshops, enrol in online courses, and read books on writing craft and industry trends.

This continual learning process equips you with the tools you need to improve, thus giving you tangible proof of your skills and growth over time.

Consult with Experts

Sometimes a professional’s opinion can bring immense clarity.

Consulting with literary agents, editors, or seasoned authors can offer you expert validation and give you a clearer picture of where you stand in the grand scheme of things.

Their endorsements, suggestions, and feedback can go a long way in chipping away at your imposter syndrome.

The Role of Metrics in Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

While emotions can be nebulous and hard to quantify, metrics offer solid ground in the otherwise shaky terrain of self-doubt.

Numbers might not tell the whole story of your journey or potential as an indie author, but they can certainly offer snapshots of reality to counterbalance your imposter syndrome. Here’s how:

Set Achievable Goals

Setting goals provides you with a roadmap and a reason to celebrate along the way.

Whether it’s hitting a specific number of book sales, reaching a subscriber milestone, or achieving a particular reader engagement rate, these targets offer something concrete to aim for.

Moreover, when you reach these goals, they act as undeniable evidence of your abilities.

Each achieved target is a stepping stone that stands against your feelings of inadequacy.

Track Progress

Consistently monitoring your performance against your goals can be a powerful antidote to imposter syndrome.

Use key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to your author business—such as sales numbers, website visits, or social media engagement—to track your progress.

Regularly review these metrics to see how you’re doing.

If you find that you’re meeting or exceeding your goals, let that bolster your self-confidence.

And if you’re falling short, consider it an opportunity for growth rather than a reflection of inadequacy.

Metrics can provide that much-needed reality check, tethering your self-perception to tangible achievements and pointing out areas for improvement.

This can be incredibly grounding when your thoughts start to spiral into self-doubt.

By combining metrics with psychological and professional strategies, you’ll be better equipped to face imposter syndrome head-on and continue your journey as a successful indie author.