Book Review: Imagine a Door: A Writer’s Guide to Unlocking Your Story, Choosing a Publishing Path, and Honoring the Creative Journey by Laura Stanfill

As someone who has always been a prolific reader, I’ve often found myself lost in daydreams about what it would be like to write a book of my own. Yet, despite my love for stories, the practicalities of writing and publishing felt overwhelming—like standing at the edge of a dense forest with no map. Imagine a Door by Laura Stanfill is the compass I didn’t know I needed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forest Avenue Press for providing me with an advance review copy of this book. Stanfill’s guide is more than a technical manual; it’s a thoughtful exploration of the creative journey, blending practical advice with deep empathy for the emotional hurdles writers face. The book is structured to feel like a conversation with a mentor who understands both the craft and the courage required to share one’s work.

Key Strengths:

Holistic Approach to Storytelling:
Stanfill doesn’t just focus on mechanics like plot structure or query letters (though those are covered well). She delves into the why behind writing—helping readers uncover their personal motivations and emotional barriers. This resonated with me, as I’ve often wondered if my ideas were “worth” writing. Her emphasis on honoring creativity as a process, not just an outcome, is refreshing.

Publishing Paths Demystified:
The book’s standout feature is its balanced discussion of traditional publishing, small presses, and self-publishing. Stanfill avoids bias, presenting each path with clear pros and cons. As someone who assumed “real” writers only pursued traditional routes, this section was eye-opening. Her writing makes daunting decisions feel manageable.

Emotional Honesty:
Stanfill’s personal anecdotes about rejection, revision, and the vulnerability of sharing work add depth. She normalizes the fear and doubt that accompany creation, which I found comforting. It’s rare to see a guide acknowledge the emotional labor of writing as frankly as the logistical labor.

Areas for Consideration:
While the book excels in accessibility, writers seeking highly specialized advice (e.g., genre-specific tropes or advanced marketing tactics) may need supplemental resources. However, as a foundational guide, it’s exceptional. I appreciated the sections on appropriations, the use of sensitivity readers, as well as other things readers like me don't know we need to know about - such as paying for awards and using sensitivity readers.

Personal Reflection:
Reading Imagine a Door felt like permission to take my daydreams seriously. Stanfill’s tone is neither overly academic nor saccharine; it’s pragmatic yet encouraging. Whether I ever write a book or not, her lessons on creativity as a journey—not a destination—will stay with me.

Final Verdict:
A must-read for aspiring writers who need both practical direction and emotional reassurance. Stanfill doesn’t just open the door to publishing; she lights the path forward, one compassionate step at a time.

- Struggling to choose a publishing path? Stanfill’s guide is the compass you’ve been missing.
- A must-read for anyone who’s ever dreamed of writing a book—or wondered how to share it with the world.
- What’s behind your door? Laura Stanfill’s Imagine a Door helps writers turn knobs they didn’t know existed

Thank you to NetGalley and Forest Avenue Press for an ARC of this book.

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.