Imagine a Door
A Writer's Guide to Unlocking Your Story, Choosing a Publishing Path, and Honoring the Creative Journey
From Forest Avenue Press founder and novelist Laura Stanfill comes Imagine A Door, an empathetic, informative guide through the world of writing and publishing.
For every writer who’s ever felt stuck or undervalued, this book will act as an edifying balm. It begins by encouraging writers to write not in the hopes of becoming famous, but to honor the stories inside of them that beg to be told. Stanfill supports her encouragements with personal anecdotes about writing through chronic illness and in tandem with other obligations, including motherhood and roller derby games.
The book also names various obstacles that writers may face, whether they go the traditional track, seek an independent publisher, or self- or hybrid-publish their work. It can take years to publish, Stanfill notes, and even then, sales figures are unlikely to be your true reward. All this considered, the book still exudes sheer joy when discussing writing as a practice—a continual, changing, and adaptable habit that may happen as much on pen and paper as in one’s head, while drafting changes on the grocery store aisle.
Stanfill has firsthand experience with both traditional and independent publishing, and her book proffers insights on the ins and outs of both worlds throughout. The voices of a bevy of other writers are also incorporated, resulting in eye-opening breadth. Post-publication, there’s information on how to seek reviews and get your book placed in stores; pre-publication, there are notes on imposter’s syndrome, seeking sensitivity readers, telling stories that reflect one’s experiences, and making room for others to tell their own stories too. Radical empathy runs throughout, making Imagine a Door a likely mainstay on writer’s shelves throughout the whole of their careers—a supportive reference to return to again and again.
Reviewed by
Michelle Anne Schingler
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
