Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Steven Salvatore. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Steven, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
The older I get, the more I believe that imposter syndrome is something that can’t be “overcome” because it always exists–it’s simply a matter of self-recognition and understanding that you deserve a seat at the table and that we live in a society that wants us to believe we’re not good enough–and to that end, everyone suffers from imposter syndrome, though some mask it more easily due to their own ego. As an author, I constantly feel like I’m not good enough, that someone else is a stronger writer, and another author will get more promotion, publicity, and marketing because the “powers that be” deem their books “better.” But I also have realized that I am a strong writer, and that I’ve earned my spot through hard work and resiliency. It’s a cycle of back and forth dialogue that never really goes away. The most I can do is continue to write books I’m really proud of, like AND THEY LIVED…, NO PERFECT PLACES: A Novel, my latest THE BOYFRIEND SUBSCRIPTION, and my next YA LEMON AT FIRST SIGHT (out late Spring 2025!)
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m the critically acclaimed author of young adult novels AND THEY LIVED…, CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY, NO PERFECT PLACES: A Novel, and the forthcoming adult romance THE BOYFRIEND SUBSCRIPTION, which publishes on March 26, 2024. I’m also the founder and CEO of Queerative Writers, a virtual creative workshop series for LGBTQ+ aspiring writers, and I’ve been a college composition professor for over twelve years. I spend most days daydreaming and making up stories. I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember–my first story was technically fan-fiction back in 1994 after The Lion King came out where I wrote a sequel because I loved the characters so much and wanted to see where they would go next. I always loved the process of creating new worlds and characters, or trying to rewrite my own story so that I could make sense of everything I’ve gone through in my life. When I became an author after my first novel was published in 2021, I realized my lifelong dream of being a storyteller was not only something I achieved, but it’s one that’s ongoing, which makes it the best kind of dream because it never ends, just changes.
I’m really excited about the transition from contemporary young adult novels to the adult landscape in various genres. My next book is an adult romance, THE BOYFRIEND SUBSCRIPTION, a gay Pretty Woman retelling with a financial flip where the sex worker has all the money and power. Readers can preorder that book now from all major retailers, or support independent bookstores like The Ripped Bodice when it’s out on March 26, 2024!
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If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Perseverance, dedication, and the ability to handle feedback were essential in my journey to becoming a published author. Being a traditionally published author is not for the faint of hear. It’s hard work, and comes along with a lot of rejection. You have to be able to handle rejection and critique, and to understand the difference between biased criticism and well-intentioned critique. Biased criticism is “this is not for me, therefore it’s bad.” Critique offers ways forward in a constructive way, calls for open dialogue, and offers unique insight and analysis. And being a writer, especially a published author, means knowing the difference and being able to handle both and discard what doesn’t serve you.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
The college writing professor in me wants to say Anne Lamott’s BIRD BY BIRD. So much wonderful advice for aspiring writers in there, but the most poignant is in the namesake: taking your writing bird by bird, piece by piece, idea by idea, and not getting overwhelmed. Being able to separate your ideas and thoughts and take it (anything) day by day, idea by idea, manuscript by manuscript has been invaluable.
The author in me wants to say my own book, AND THEY LIVED…, which is the book I tried to write for 16 years in various ways until I got it right. I wrote the first version as a college sophomore in 2006, and rewrote it at least 7 or 8 times until it was published as an entirely different entity in 2022, and it’s the absolute best version, the one I had in my head all those years ago. That book, the writing process and querying process, taught me more than any course or book I read.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stevensalvatore.com/
- Instagram: @stevensalvatorebooks
- Other: TikTok: @stevensalvatorebooks
Image Credits
Steven Salvatorre
