In this episode of Imposter Hour, Liz and Greg dive into a thrilling conversation with New York Times bestselling author Ana Reyes about her debut novel, The House in the Pines. Ana opens up about the challenges of navigating genre conventions, revealing how her MFA program shaped her writing style and the creative freedom she found within storytelling constraints. She shares the deeply personal elements woven into her novel, including her Guatemalan heritage and her harrowing journey with Klonopin withdrawal.

The discussion delves into the art of crafting a twist ending, the power of sense memory, and how mental reconstruction plays a crucial role in her storytelling. Ana reflects on her experiences as a writer, from finding community and navigating vulnerability to the impact her book has had on readers. They explore themes of not being believed, mental illness, and the lingering effects of trauma. Ana also shares insights from her time teaching creative writing, offers advice for writers tackling their second novel, and gives a glimpse into her future writing goals. This episode is a must-listen for anyone intrigued by the intersection of personal experience and genre storytelling!

In this episode of Imposter Hour, Liz and Greg chat with author Tessa Wegert about her experiences with imposter syndrome and the pressures of being a writer, especially during the pandemic. Tessa, the author of the Shana Merchant series (Death in the Family, The Dead Season, Dead Wind, and The Kind to Kill), reveals how she navigated the daunting expectations to publish more books and the vital role community and connection play in her storytelling. They dive into the atmospheric settings in Tessa's novels and how she channels imposter syndrome through her main character, Shana Merchant, creating a deeply relatable and complex protagonist.

The conversation explores the intriguing blend of subgenres Tessa weaves into her series, the response from her local community, and her journey from gaining confidence to transitioning between genres. As a former journalist, Tessa shares how her investigative skills bring authenticity to her police procedurals, and she emphasizes the importance of mastering craft and structure in writing mysteries and thrillers. With insights into her second series and the joys of collaborative writing, this episode offers a captivating look into the mind of a writer who’s unafraid to face her insecurities and emerge stronger.

In this episode of Imposter Hour, Liz and Greg sit down with Brooklyn-based writer Nadia Owusu to explore the raw and riveting journey behind her memoir, *Aftershocks*. Nadia opens up about the themes of identity, belonging, and imposter syndrome that weave through her story, shedding light on the challenges of capturing multiple perspectives and truths in memoir writing. The conversation delves into the powerful impact of code-switching, the complexities of straddling multiple cultural identities, and the often-overlooked nuances of mental health experiences.

Nadia reflects on how her father’s Ashanti storytelling tradition shaped her as a writer and reveals how music plays an integral role in her creative process. She shares her journey from writing a novel to realizing that the memoir was the story she was meant to tell, and how the metaphor of earthquakes echoes through her narrative, capturing the seismic shifts in her life. Offering a candid glimpse into the aftermath of sharing her story, Nadia provides invaluable advice for aspiring memoir writers and discusses the importance of representation in mental illness narratives. This episode promises an unfiltered exploration of identity, resilience, and the courage to own one's truth.