Laura Stanfill
@laurastanfill.bsky.social
Author, SINGING LESSONS FOR THE STYLISH CANARY (Lanternfish) and IMAGINE A DOOR (out April 2025). Publisher, Forest Avenue Press. Reader. Freelance publishing consultant. Disabled.
I'll be a busy bee next week at the Portland Book Festival Cover to Cover events, including an AMA at @spokeandwordbooks.bsky.social, a conversation with @pollydugan.bsky.social at Annie Bloom's, and a conversation with @gigilittle.bsky.social at Broadway Books. Stop by and join us at one or all!
October 29, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I'll be a busy bee next week at the Portland Book Festival Cover to Cover events, including an AMA at @spokeandwordbooks.bsky.social, a conversation with @pollydugan.bsky.social at Annie Bloom's, and a conversation with @gigilittle.bsky.social at Broadway Books. Stop by and join us at one or all!
My second novel, THE NEIGHBORHOOD DAMES, has sold to @ooliganpress.bsky.social, one of my favorite independent presses. I'm so thrilled! I'm working on developmental edits now and can't wait to share this project with everyone in fall 2026. #writing
June 9, 2025 at 7:49 PM
My second novel, THE NEIGHBORHOOD DAMES, has sold to @ooliganpress.bsky.social, one of my favorite independent presses. I'm so thrilled! I'm working on developmental edits now and can't wait to share this project with everyone in fall 2026. #writing
I wrestled my anxiety all week leading up to my book launch on April 1 and I managed to banish the scaries in time to save my event from, well, myself. IMAGINE A DOOR is full of human moments, writers doing the best they can. Thanks to all who made it a @powells.bsky.social best-seller!
April 4, 2025 at 3:49 AM
I wrestled my anxiety all week leading up to my book launch on April 1 and I managed to banish the scaries in time to save my event from, well, myself. IMAGINE A DOOR is full of human moments, writers doing the best they can. Thanks to all who made it a @powells.bsky.social best-seller!
Happy Foreword INDIES announcement to all who celebrate! Congrats to Forest Ave authors @danielolivas.bsky.social and David Ciminello!
March 7, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Happy Foreword INDIES announcement to all who celebrate! Congrats to Forest Ave authors @danielolivas.bsky.social and David Ciminello!
Bookseller friends, if you have customers walking in and asking, "How do I get published?" IMAGINE A DOOR is a gentle guide that focuses on community, creativity, and being kind to booksellers. Find a free digital ARC on Edelweiss. Or PM me for more info!
January 29, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Bookseller friends, if you have customers walking in and asking, "How do I get published?" IMAGINE A DOOR is a gentle guide that focuses on community, creativity, and being kind to booksellers. Find a free digital ARC on Edelweiss. Or PM me for more info!
We open for Forest Avenue submissions on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025! As publisher, I'm happy to answer questions here, so please share and comment! @lizprato.bsky.social is our subs manager; she's also available to field questions.
#writingcommunity #submissions www.forestavenuepress.com/submissions
#writingcommunity #submissions www.forestavenuepress.com/submissions
December 27, 2024 at 5:46 PM
We open for Forest Avenue submissions on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025! As publisher, I'm happy to answer questions here, so please share and comment! @lizprato.bsky.social is our subs manager; she's also available to field questions.
#writingcommunity #submissions www.forestavenuepress.com/submissions
#writingcommunity #submissions www.forestavenuepress.com/submissions
I've studied best-of book lists for years. Sometimes books I've published (or written) are on them. A lot of times they aren't. I hold grace and space for all writers at this time of year! And also: David Ciminello's QUEEN OF STEEPLECHASE PARK is a 2024 Kirkus Best Indie Book. Happy publisher here.
December 16, 2024 at 7:20 PM
I've studied best-of book lists for years. Sometimes books I've published (or written) are on them. A lot of times they aren't. I hold grace and space for all writers at this time of year! And also: David Ciminello's QUEEN OF STEEPLECHASE PARK is a 2024 Kirkus Best Indie Book. Happy publisher here.
Roller derby junior champs are Sunday and my skater is playing. This is her last season in the 7-12 bracket. I'll miss all the parent friends I've made over the last few years, sitting on freezing metal bleachers for hours, watching our children hit each other while on wheels. #rollerderby
December 4, 2024 at 4:18 PM
Roller derby junior champs are Sunday and my skater is playing. This is her last season in the 7-12 bracket. I'll miss all the parent friends I've made over the last few years, sitting on freezing metal bleachers for hours, watching our children hit each other while on wheels. #rollerderby
Announcing new projects is one of my favorite things to do. Forest Avenue, my press, just acquired PURGATOIRE, a novel, by @lizprato.bsky.social. It's historical fiction, with some magic--my favorite blend of genres!--and it's set in Colorado. Publication spring 2026. #writingcommunity
December 3, 2024 at 7:50 PM
Announcing new projects is one of my favorite things to do. Forest Avenue, my press, just acquired PURGATOIRE, a novel, by @lizprato.bsky.social. It's historical fiction, with some magic--my favorite blend of genres!--and it's set in Colorado. Publication spring 2026. #writingcommunity
I'm heading to Powell's tonight to hear Juhea Kim talk about her second novel, CITY OF NIGHT BIRDS. I'm so happy for her success! Who here has read her debut, BEASTS OF A LITTLE LAND?
November 26, 2024 at 10:01 PM
I'm heading to Powell's tonight to hear Juhea Kim talk about her second novel, CITY OF NIGHT BIRDS. I'm so happy for her success! Who here has read her debut, BEASTS OF A LITTLE LAND?
Gabino, IMAGINE A DOOR, my book for writers that centers genuine community and the act of writing, is coming out April 1 from Forest Avenue. Since 2016, I've interviewed 75+ publishing experts, while focusing on small presses, and it includes case studies, definitions, and personal stories.
November 16, 2024 at 6:18 PM
Gabino, IMAGINE A DOOR, my book for writers that centers genuine community and the act of writing, is coming out April 1 from Forest Avenue. Since 2016, I've interviewed 75+ publishing experts, while focusing on small presses, and it includes case studies, definitions, and personal stories.
Hi, everyone! I'm a book publisher (Forest Avenue Press), an author, a freelance editor and publishing consultant, a vegan, and a roller derby enthusiast. I'm not learning derby skills these days because of my loose joints. (Contact sport.) But I love skating and taking pix of awesome derby kids!
November 14, 2024 at 3:57 PM
Hi, everyone! I'm a book publisher (Forest Avenue Press), an author, a freelance editor and publishing consultant, a vegan, and a roller derby enthusiast. I'm not learning derby skills these days because of my loose joints. (Contact sport.) But I love skating and taking pix of awesome derby kids!
I got to photograph two junior roller derby bouts this weekend. These kids are fast and fierce and I took thousands of photos with my new gear to make sure I got some good ones. I'm still learning. But helping kids--especially gender nonconforming kids--see themselves being badasses? Worth it.
November 13, 2024 at 2:57 PM
I got to photograph two junior roller derby bouts this weekend. These kids are fast and fierce and I took thousands of photos with my new gear to make sure I got some good ones. I'm still learning. But helping kids--especially gender nonconforming kids--see themselves being badasses? Worth it.
Haha, exactly! Here's hoping it works that way.
December 28, 2023 at 8:14 PM
Haha, exactly! Here's hoping it works that way.
We had such great weather yesterday. My #pomchipoo Waffles frolicked himself into joyfulness. We also skated at the park and had Rancho Gordo beans and vegan cornbread for dinner.
December 21, 2023 at 4:19 PM
We had such great weather yesterday. My #pomchipoo Waffles frolicked himself into joyfulness. We also skated at the park and had Rancho Gordo beans and vegan cornbread for dinner.
I met so many amazing writers and readers at the Portland Book Festival yesterday. My authors Zaji Cox (PLUMS FOR MONTHS, a memoir about growing up autistic, biracial, and low income) and Kesha Ajose-Fisher (NO GOD LIKE THE MOTHER, an award-winning story collection) signed their books.
November 5, 2023 at 2:09 PM
I met so many amazing writers and readers at the Portland Book Festival yesterday. My authors Zaji Cox (PLUMS FOR MONTHS, a memoir about growing up autistic, biracial, and low income) and Kesha Ajose-Fisher (NO GOD LIKE THE MOTHER, an award-winning story collection) signed their books.
Skyblue friends, my small press is launching SOUL JAR tomorrow, edited by disabled bookseller Annie Carl and featuring disabled voices. Our first event is 10/17 at Elliott Bay Book Co in Seattle but you can get your copy starting tomorrow anywhere books are sold. So much imagination and talent!
October 16, 2023 at 2:22 PM
Skyblue friends, my small press is launching SOUL JAR tomorrow, edited by disabled bookseller Annie Carl and featuring disabled voices. Our first event is 10/17 at Elliott Bay Book Co in Seattle but you can get your copy starting tomorrow anywhere books are sold. So much imagination and talent!
Pro tips: 1) design beautiful books and display them with joy 2) if you write about monsters, you can bring cricket sounds and a bog-monster puppet to your reading. This was last night: Jonah Barnett, MOSS-COVERED CLAWS, new edition now out from Blue Cactus Press. Bishop & Wilde hosted. #booksky
October 6, 2023 at 1:55 PM
Pro tips: 1) design beautiful books and display them with joy 2) if you write about monsters, you can bring cricket sounds and a bog-monster puppet to your reading. This was last night: Jonah Barnett, MOSS-COVERED CLAWS, new edition now out from Blue Cactus Press. Bishop & Wilde hosted. #booksky
Thank you so much for sharing, Kelly! That means so much to us. SOUL JAR also won the Pacific NW Booksellers Association's BuzzBooks award last night! Here's our editor Annie Carl accepting the award.
September 21, 2023 at 1:40 PM
Thank you so much for sharing, Kelly! That means so much to us. SOUL JAR also won the Pacific NW Booksellers Association's BuzzBooks award last night! Here's our editor Annie Carl accepting the award.
That thing where your table is front and center at a major tradeshow and your editor is amazing pitching and talking about the importance of disabled representation. We won BUZZ BOOKS--biggest buzz of the Pacific NW Booksellers Association--last night! #writers #publishing #disability
September 21, 2023 at 1:30 PM
That thing where your table is front and center at a major tradeshow and your editor is amazing pitching and talking about the importance of disabled representation. We won BUZZ BOOKS--biggest buzz of the Pacific NW Booksellers Association--last night! #writers #publishing #disability
A #publishinglife moment one of my kids captured: PJs, couch work, and our mascot Waffles at rest on my lap. Behind us is a poster of SOUL JAR, headed toward the window of the downtown Powell's Books. We're exactly a month from launching SOUL JAR, a SFF collection by disabled authors.
September 17, 2023 at 1:43 PM
A #publishinglife moment one of my kids captured: PJs, couch work, and our mascot Waffles at rest on my lap. Behind us is a poster of SOUL JAR, headed toward the window of the downtown Powell's Books. We're exactly a month from launching SOUL JAR, a SFF collection by disabled authors.
Starred review from ALA Booklist! SOUL JAR, my small press's 2023 fall release, features 31 SFF stories from disabled authors. We can't share the review until it goes live Oct. 1, but we can share this seal! SOUL JAR is out Oct. 17!
September 12, 2023 at 6:34 PM
Starred review from ALA Booklist! SOUL JAR, my small press's 2023 fall release, features 31 SFF stories from disabled authors. We can't share the review until it goes live Oct. 1, but we can share this seal! SOUL JAR is out Oct. 17!
Do other cities have writers' picnics? Here in Portland (Oregon) ours was started by a nice man named Steve who loves introducing writers to each other. It's always outside at a park. We bring food, dogs, kids. There's always someone new to meet. We get to be awkward together.
September 11, 2023 at 1:08 PM
Do other cities have writers' picnics? Here in Portland (Oregon) ours was started by a nice man named Steve who loves introducing writers to each other. It's always outside at a park. We bring food, dogs, kids. There's always someone new to meet. We get to be awkward together.
I should add that we're also deep into grape season...
September 9, 2023 at 4:15 PM
I should add that we're also deep into grape season...
I'm "performing" applesauce today, cutting up windfall apples from our back yard trees, when I maybe ought to be PERFORMING social media. There's so much good stuff happening for my press (Forest Avenue) and our authors and I need to share! But my kitchen smells amazing.
September 5, 2023 at 9:07 PM
I'm "performing" applesauce today, cutting up windfall apples from our back yard trees, when I maybe ought to be PERFORMING social media. There's so much good stuff happening for my press (Forest Avenue) and our authors and I need to share! But my kitchen smells amazing.