This book has been twenty-five years in the making, growing from my first writing circles in my living room to the amazing global community we have in my school today. Story Is a State of Mind brings together everything I've learned about creativity, presence, and the art of whole-minded writing.
Creative writing asks us to think and feel at the same time, and to write with our intellect and our intuition. That's why so many writers get stuck: they tend to write using just one or the other.
This book shows you how to write from your whole mind, integrating meditation, craft, and mindset so your words can flow.
Whether you're starting your first story or working on your tenth book, these pages hold practices and wisdom to help you write with more joy, skill, and creative energy.
I am truly excited to share this work with you and your writing communities. Let’s create something magical together.
Are you called to bring writers together? Join our collective, and create a sacred space for writers to work in flow together. A Story Is a State of Mind circle is like a book club crossed with a writing group, but so much more. It’s a space for creative writers who are looking for belonging, mindful craft practice, learning with joy and delight, and the support of a well-grounded writing collective.
Perfect for community leaders who:
Want to join our circle of hosts?
Are you called to bring writers together? Join our collective, and create a sacred space for writers to work in flow together. A Story Is a State of Mind circle is like a book club crossed with a writing group, but so much more. They’re a space for creative writers who are looking for belonging, mindful craft practice, learning with joy and delight, and the support of a well-grounded writing collective.
Perfect for community leaders who:
Want to join our circle of hosts?
Transform your writing group, conference, or classroom with Sarah’s unique blend of craft and consciousness. Drawing from Story Is a State of Mind, Sarah offers dynamic workshops and talks that help writers access their creative power with more ease, awareness, and joy.
Session options include:
Sarah brings over twenty years of teaching experience to each event, creating meaningful experiences that inspire lasting change in writers’ practices.
Contact support@sarahselecky.com to learn more.
S tory Is a State of Mind offers a fresh approach to teaching creative writing, combining craft instruction with mindset techniques that help students access their creative power. The book’s practices and tutorials make it ideal for college and university courses.
For course materials, contact Assembly Press (info@assemblypress.ca):
To book Sarah for a guest lecture or workshop in your classroom, contact support@sarahselecky.com.
“Sarah’s calm presence and unique methodology create meaningful breakthroughs for writers at all levels, and I enthusiastically recommend both her book and workshops to anyone serious about developing writers—whether in literature studies, creative writing programs, or courses that combine both approaches.”
As a professor teaching The Art of the Novel at Toronto Metropolitan University, I’ve integrated Sarah Selecky’s Story is a State of Mind into my curriculum with remarkable results. Our course uniquely combines elements of traditional English literature survey with creative writing instruction, and Sarah’s book bridges these approaches beautifully. When Sarah visited our class to lead a workshop, the transformation was palpable. Students arrived anxious and stressed—typical of end-of-semester energy—but within minutes of Sarah’s guidance, the entire atmosphere shifted.
What makes Sarah’s approach so valuable is how fundamentally different it is from conventional academic writing instruction. Her creative practices connect students to their innate curiosity and embodied knowledge in ways they hadn’t experienced before in their university education. The room fell into a focused hush as Sarah shared wisdom from her decades of teaching creative writing.
My students have continued to apply her methods throughout the semester, finding that these practices not only improve their writing but also foster a healthier relationship with their creativity. Story is a State of Mind offers exactly what emerging writers need: practical techniques for accessing creative flow while developing craft skills that translate to stronger, more authentic work.
I’ve witnessed first-hand how Sarah’s calm presence and unique methodology create meaningful breakthroughs for writers at all levels, and I enthusiastically recommend both her book and workshops to anyone serious about developing writers—whether in literature studies, creative writing programs, or courses that combine both approaches.
Professor Sarah Henstra, PhD
Department of English
Toronto Metropolitan University
Books ordered directly from Assembly Press will be personally signed by Sarah. For multiple copies, either adjust the quantity in your shopping cart or contact Assembly Press directly at info@assemblypress.ca.
