Book: You Don’t Suck: How To Overcome Impostor Syndrome
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
I am Max Masure. I use they/them pronouns. I am from France, and I live in Brooklyn, NY, since 2012. I am a proud published author since I released my book ‘You Don’t Suck: How To Overcome Impostor Syndrome’ in March 2022. During my day, I work as a UX strategist for the National Institute of Health and as an inclusion consultant by leading training workshops. I have a fluffy cat named Pinkie and a fantastic 8-year-old, and we laugh a lot.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘You Don’t Suck: How To Overcome Impostor Syndrome’ book?
My biggest challenge was having imposter syndrome while writing about imposter syndrome! This is my first book, and I never published anything before except a few blog posts. But I kept returning to why I wanted to publish this book: to support people, especially underrepresented folks, getting closer to their inner power so they can find their inner power and overcome imposter syndrome.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I knew from the beginning that I wanted my book to have a workbook component. On top of sharing my journey on how I overcame imposter syndrome over the years, I wanted to share the exercises I came up with to support myself in living more authentically and with more confidence. I reviewed a few books with prompts and got a lot of inspiration from them.
Creativity Takes Courage, by Irene Smit and Astrid van der Hulst
We Inspire Me, by Andrea Pippins
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I love going on silent meditation retreats. My favorite place is Garrison Institute in New York. They have this bamboo forest where I love lying down and breathing, looking up, and listening to the wind going through the bamboo.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
I was swimming in the book’s content for a while before really thinking about a book. I benefited from my self-help exercises, and I wanted to offer these powerful activities to more people. For a few months, my living room walls were covered in sticky notes while I was sorting out all the ideas I had in mind. I needed that time to get everything out of my head before writing the first line.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘You Don’t Suck: How To Overcome Impostor Syndrome’ book?
I started to imagine the content in the spring-summer of 2020. I tested the prompts and exercises through workshops with a group of folks which allowed me to validate some and improve others. I worked on a manuscript and started to work with my publisher, Publish Your Purpose, who helped me find an editor and a cover designer. I did not need a designer for the inside of the book as I knew I was going it myself, being a designer by trade. I released my book in March 2022. So it took two years.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘You Don’t Suck: How To Overcome Impostor Syndrome’ book to buy?
Bookshop.org
Amazon
Amazon Kindle
Barnes and Noble
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘You Don’t Suck: How To Overcome Impostor Syndrome’?
I listened to what my imposter syndrome was telling me when I was not confident, and I kept hearing, “You suck!”. I started thinking the title should be “You suck” so people would relate to the little voice we hear inside of us when we doubt ourselves. And then it clicked: no, we don’t suck! That’s how I turned the title into “You (don’t) Suck.” I wanted the title to be very large and screaming at the reader, and I had this vision of a visual that would make it seems that it said, “You Suck” from afar, and you would see the “don’t” when you looked closer. I worked with Nelly Murariu on the cover, and she quickly understood what I wanted!
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I used the workshops where I tried out my content and exercises as a way to test out what connects with my readers. I am now offering imposter syndrome workshops where I use the activities from the book, and I moderate raw, honest, and empowering conversations on the topic of imposter syndrome, confidence, and vulnerability.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
In the book, I share my story that turns around my coming out as a transgender masculine person five years ago and how my confidence grew as I went closer to my inner self. I found my voice and a sense of purpose by sharing my story: I guide people through the prompts and exercises so they can tap into their inner power. My goal is to wake up more and more folks so we can be our true selves and achieve what we deserve
Book Is Available On Amazon
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