The Power Of Yes And No: Imposter Syndrome in Publishing

The first time I sat down to evaluate a manuscript, I was hesitant, unsure of how exactly to approach the task. I grappled with questions like, what angle should I read the submission from? What criteria should I focus on? And what elements should I pay close attention to? The weight of the decision to either accept or reject the manuscript loomed on me, particularly because of my context as a university student who had only just stepped into the world of acquisitions. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was out of place. Who was I to judge the work of someone else?  

There is a sense of imposter syndrome that comes with the responsibility of being an acquisitions associate. Before even entering the role, I had doubted my own ability to evaluate, accept, and even reject submissions from aspiring authors. Despite several years reading and analysing almost all forms of literature, I now had to tackle this from a publishing standpoint. This meant taking into consideration the marketability of a submission, whether it would benefit the newly established publishing house and how it would affect the author's life and career. This process was intimidating, and doubt crept over me as I read the first submission. 

Rather than allowing my doubts and overthinking to consume me, I chose to approach the manuscript as I would any other book – by simply reading it and seeing if I enjoyed it. Instead of worrying about how to analyse it or what issues to look for, I trusted that if I read it naturally, the critique would come to me – and that’s exactly what happened. The pieces began to fall into place, and I worked to combine my own personal opinions on manuscript submissions with the nuances of the publishing business. With years of education in a professional writing and publishing major under my belt, it became easier to trust my instincts about what works would be profitable, publishable and fundamentally deserving of a wider audience. 

Of course, with this also comes the challenge of rejection. As the department at Elephant Page Publishing tasked with reviewing manuscript submissions from such passionate aspiring authors, we bear the responsibility of making the tough decisions. Personally, I find this aspect particularly difficult – I have a deep appreciation for all kinds of stories and a knack for understanding an author’s vision, even when their manuscript doesn’t convey it in a way that is overly effective. It is because of this that the process can be challenging, and I certainly struggled with it when reviewing my first manuscript. I found that the novel explored rich, important themes that deserved to be shared and had the potential to make a meaningful impact on its young adult audience. However, despite its strengths, significant structural issues made it unsuitable for publication in its current form. 

Rejecting a manuscript for the first time can be quite daunting, especially when its themes and messages are so relevant and important. When a submission has undeniable strengths but also significant areas for improvement, it feels like an internal tug-of-war. An angel sits on one shoulder, championing the manuscript's potential, considering the author’s feelings, and stressing the potential impact the decision could have on their career, while a devil sits on the other, carefully weighing its flaws and confronting the reality of the decision. In the end, it simply comes down to what benefits both sides of the arrangement the most. 

However, finishing a manuscript evaluation and recognising its potential is incredibly rewarding. In discovering a standout work and knowing it has what it takes to be shared with the world, there is a great sense of accomplishment – not only knowing you’ve done your job as an acquisitions associate but also realising you’re helping an aspiring author’s dream become a reality. 

In the end, I believe that confidence and enjoyment in the acquisitions process comes from trusting one's own judgment. With this in mind, I was able to push past my imposter syndrome and recognise that my experience in the industry, the skills I have gained in the professional writing and publishing major, and my willingness to represent the books that may otherwise go uncelebrated, are what qualify me to be a part of this team. 

Ellis Wakelam
Acquisitions Associate