Do you ever get imposter syndrome as an author?

Do you ever get imposter syndrome? Recently, I was out running errands in Belfast when a woman approached me and asked, “Are you that author? I think I’ve read one of your books.” I was caught a bit by surprise, but confirmed without knowing if she meant me or not (lol) that I am, indeed, an author. The reader then went on to say that she had read my book, The Blue Man, as it was one of the titles that came up at her book club when the group was focusing on local authors. I’m guessing that her book club was through Libraries NI, but I didn’t ask, as I found myself somewhat thrown for a loop at being recognised.

Situations like this don’t happen to me a lot; this is the second time in the past year, to put it in context, the other time being when I was shopping in Belfast city centre and was recognised by a follower of my social media. This latest occasion really gave me a moment of disconnect, a real feeling of imposter syndrome, and a sense of detachment from Leilanie Stewart the author and even from the success of my book, The Blue Man.

Moments like this keep me mindful of the fact that being an author means being in the public eye. On this occasion, I was looking rather scuzzy (devoid of makeup, with messy hair and wearing a dodgy old t-shirt with a curry stain, lol). I will have to make sure I look presentable next time, even when simply out and about so that I’m in ‘author mode’ and not caught unaware.

Anyway, I have recently finished a new ghost horror novel and I’m hoping it’ll be as well received by readers and considered as scary as The Blue Man. An author can hope!