“Let the Story Unfold” featuring Karen Dukess

In this episode of Impostor Hour, hosts Liz and Greg sit down with acclaimed author Karen Dukess for a rich, honest conversation about creativity, confidence, and the winding path of a writer’s life.Karen reflects on the success of her debut novel, The Last Book Party—a critically praised coming-of-age story steeped in literary nostalgia—and how that experience shaped both her confidence and her expectations moving forward.They dive into her newest novel, Welcome to Murder Week, a sharp, atmospheric mystery inspired by the haunting beauty of the English countryside. Along the way, Karen opens up about grappling with imposter syndrome, the emotional aftermath of rejection, and the challenges of writing her ambitious novel set in Russia.She discusses the process of unlearning habits from her journalism background in order to embrace the fluidity of fiction, and how she’s found joy in balancing the “highbrow” with the purely entertaining.This candid, insightful episode explores what it means to keep growing as a writer—even after success—and how to stay grounded in your voice when self-doubt creeps in.