Meet Jessica Clem

We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Clem recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is tough to shake. But the only way through it is to grind and strive for your dream, no matter what. I feel more confident in myself the more I put myself out there and try. Experience is the antidote to imposter syndrome!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I write in the thriller and horror genres, and I love sharing my work with readers of all ages. My debut adult novel will be released in November 2026. But I’ve been a professional writer for over a decade. One thing I’ve learned is that all my past work experiences have truly been a gift. I’ve worked in event management, marketing, community development, local politics, project management, and website development and editing. This experience has been absolutely crucial as I navigate marketing and promoting myself as a novelist. I am also dedicated to sharing my experience in the publishing world with other writers to help them navigate the querying trenches.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three qualities that have had the most impact on my writing are resilience, hunger, and self-discipline. A writer needs a thick skin to push through constant rejection. But it’s how you react to failure or rejection that matters the most. Don’t give up. Hunger and self-discipline are also key. You have to understand, in your gut, why you are doing this work. You have to stay hungry for growth and on track for bigger and better things. You WILL get there. Stay vigilant and write as much as you can. As Margaret Atwood wrote, don’t let the bastards get you down.

My biggest piece of advice is to look for community resources. Your local libraries host a wide range of free events and classes. I’ve taken classes on travel writing, querying, publishing, flash fiction, and social media management.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Pushing through fatigue will get you nowhere. As a distance runner, I’ve learned to listen to my body when it needs a break. The same goes for writing. When I’m overwhelmed, I take a break from my computer. Read, go on a run or walk, or take a weekend “writing rest.”

I also like to make priority lists and break them down into small chunks when I have a lot on my plate. What is one thing I can do today? What’s one thing I can do tomorrow? Make a list of one to three things and start small.

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