Harlan Coben has said he still experiences imposter syndrome, arguing that self-doubt is a sign of good writing while confidence is more often found among weaker writers, per the-independent.com.
The Bestselling author made the comments while speaking to Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, broadcast on Sunday, October 25.
“I actually think only bad writers think they’re good,” the 64-year-old said. He added that most writers carry some degree of imposter syndrome, even while believing readers should spend money and several hours engaging with their work.
Coben, whose novels include the Myron Bolitar series, said the apparent contradiction is familiar to writers: he may feel his work is inadequate while still expecting it to hold a reader’s attention.
Rather than describing his books strictly as crime or thriller fiction, Coben said he prefers to call them “the novel of immersion”. He said his goal is to write books that keep readers awake long after they intend to stop.
“I want my novel to be the one you take to bed tonight, it’s 11 o’clock, ‘I’m just going to read for 10 minutes’, and the next thing you know, it’s four in the morning,” he said.
Coben has previously written extensively about self-doubt in his work. In a 2024 interview, he said that although he had met many excellent writers, none were entirely free of doubts about their writing.
His music choices for the programme included Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road,” Rufus and Chaka Khan’s “Ain’t Nobody,” and Teddy Swims’ “The Door”.
Coben’s 2007 novel The Woods is due to be adapted by Netflix next year. The eight-episode limited series will star former Coronation Street actor Michelle Keegan, alongside Tom Bateman, Mandeep Dhillon and Pearce Quigley.
•Featured image: Harlan Coben/Pip Cowley/PA