Author: blogespresso

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

You Don’t Suck: How To Overcome Impostor Syndrome

Book: Reporting On Desire Service With A Climax

Q1.  Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you. 

I am anthony a 35 year old tradesman from he uk . Originally from a poetry backround i started young, at this time i was also dyslexic which was a real struggle at times  
With the help of a teacher one on one i managed to get to a stage where i could read however i have only read mr men books and manuals in my time nothing more  
As i got older women preferred to be teased and enticed by fantasy so i moved to erotic poetry .. with the help of a romance novelist i was pushed into writing stories  
When 50 shades came out it really hit home just how popular that kind of stories were so i was personally sharing my work with people, never thought i would be publishing them  
After time of writing and many people telling me i should publish and share these stories i thought ok why not and i looked a many ways .. i was offered publishing contract but in the end i looked at self-publishing as i want to publish many stories  
The response has always been better than i imagined .. i have never been able to read back my stories and understand the, so it brings me great pride when people tell me that they loved them  
Apologies if my writing is not grammatically correct, i am still learning  
 

Q2.  What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Reporting On Desire Service With A Climax’ book?

The challenge i always have is the writing , grammar etc i have always struggled from being dyslexic when i was little . Thank goodness for proofreaders ! 

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing? 

Unfortunately i have never really read a book but i started with erotic poetry which i posted online and then an author (cindy dees )got in contact and said i should try writing stories as the details were graphic and detailed . She enjoyed them  
Also when 50 shades of grey came out and the reaction everyone gave it really picked up that genre from tv s shows and books etc it seemed from then things started to get more steamy .. i wanted to join in with that  

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you? 

Any beach is special , the sound of the waves and looking out into the ocean you can be in your own place and in your min be anywhere in the world  

Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book? 

Because i write short fantasy ranging from 2000 to 14000 words i usually just think of a job or scenario like single mom , estate agent , doctor etc then fill in the story .. usually when i start i have a story in around 4-8 hours i get engrossed in the story . 
I can write alot of stories and i have many ideas but i also take requests .. he audience is key for me i want them to enjoy every word and i want their fantasies to come alive no matter how graphic  

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Reporting On Desire Service With A Climax’ book? 

Reporting on desire took around 5 hours not including the proofreaders time  

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Reporting On Desire Service With A Climax’ book to buy? 

Amazon kindle and paperback .. also there is an audio version which will be available soon  

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Reporting On Desire Service With A Climax’? 

I have a friend she is a journalist she asked me to write a story that she could relate to . Which is what i would like all my readers to do. I instantly thought it needed to be steamy and the tapped part for me was key and then the odd tease of frustration in the build up . 

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?  

starting as a poet i loved how people felt the words and the responces i got . i am constantly looking at new ways of doing things to tease and entice the readers . i am only at the start of this journey .. there is alot more to come and i will only get better with my words  
The first few stories are almost like feelers to get used to what i am doing right and not so right  

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers? 

The blurb describe the story very well and the only secret thats not in the blurb is just how detailed and graphic it gets … this is not a story for your nan put it that way .

Book Is Available On Amazon

Reporting On Desire Service With A Climax