The process of going up for academic promotion is definitely a little nerve-wracking. Talented, skilled people get denied, all the time. It’s inevitable that imposter syndrome will rise up, asking, “Do I really deserve this? Have I earned it? Have I written enough, published enough, become well-known enough? Should I wait and hope to publish a few more books first, maybe win another award or two…?”
If it gets past my department’s vetting, eventually the promotion will have to be approved by higher-level administrators too. I was talking about it to Kevin last night, and he reminded me that they’ll be comparing my application to, say, a physicist’s, and they’re not necessarily going to have much awareness or understanding of the complexities of creative writing publication, markets, etc. Sigh. I guess it’s good to have that perspective firmly in mind — helps to take it less personally if they say no? Maybe.
I’ve been dropping notes to people asking if they’d feel comfortable if I listed them on my list of potential outside recommenders. I’m not required to ask, but I feel somewhat awkward signing people up to potentially do work without checking with them first. Writing recommendation letters is definitely work.
I just want to say how much I appreciate the folks who have responded with enthusiastic yesses. Each one helps assuage my anxiety a little more. However it goes with the university, it’s nice to know that people I respect think I’m doing good work.
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Photo of a camellia from the Bay Area — they seem to bloom all over the place there, not requiring much care, just doing their thing, being beautiful. In the end, that’s where we have to focus, right? Doing our thing, putting the work out there, letting the chips of market and reputation fall where they may…