For writers and publishers, Stanfill’s Imagine a Door offers illuminating insights across the entire spectrum of the industry. As the founder of Forest Avenue Press, the author interweaves professional wisdom from over seventy-five interviews with her own industry experiences to detail the multifaceted process of writing and publishing.

The book begins by explaining to writers that they should not set out to attain idolic status through their writing, but instead lead with passion and pay tribute to the stories demanding propelling from within their souls. Supporting her claims, Stanfill weaves captivating stories about having to deal with a chronic illness, motherhood, and even competing in roller derby, which inspire her writing.

Covering every possibility, Stanfill moves through the challenges a writer may face throughout the writing and publishing process, whether choosing a traditional publisher, an independent one, or opting for self or hybrid publishing. This diverse range of industry insight assists seasoned and novice writers alike. She observes the likelihood of covered rewards resulting from years’ worth of effort spent publishing being inconsequential. Regardless of the pain associated, the joy associated with reading is unmatched, and for this reason alone, the book focuses on the beauty of writing in all its forms, be it on paper or in one’s mind—paving the course to a rewarding practice flexible to change.

The book offers helpful insights on how one can obtain reviews, gain professional placement of their book in stores, manage feelings of imposter syndrome, find sensitivity readers, and portray stories that encapsulate.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC. 

I'm so happy that I received an ARC of this book, this was exactly the right time in my life for this boom to come to me. 

I'm an aspiring author (who isn't?) and I know that a lot of the information on this book (and more!) can be easily found online, but I also know that as an aspiring author it can be easy to put off writing your actual book in the name of "research". This book pulls together the most important information without all the fluff, you can get through the entire book very quickly. 

I would recommend reading this book to anyone who hopes to get a book published.