Sit Write Here: 6 Mindfulness Practices to Help You Write More and Suffer Less

by April Davila

A transformative path to overcome creative blocks and cultivate a joyful, sustainable writing practice through mindfulness.

In Sit Write Here, award-winning novelist and certified mindfulness instructor April Dávila presents a groundbreaking approach to writing that integrates the practice of Insight Meditation. Drawing from her personal journey and professional experience, Dávila reveals how mindfulness can help writers improve their craft and navigate common challenges such as writer's block, self-doubt, and ubiquitous distractions. Through practical exercises and relatable anecdotes, she demonstrates how cultivating present-moment awareness can enhance creativity and bring greater ease to the writing process.

Structured around six key practices, the book guides writers to:
-Get Writing by developing deep concentration to foster a state of creative flow.
-Embrace Discomfort to better portray conflict on the page.
-Keep Going by identifying and overcoming internal obstacles that masquerade as "writer's block."
-Explore Emotions to deepen authenticity.
-Engage Reality to refine the editing process with mindful awareness.
-Find Equanimity to maintain resilience in the face of feedback and rejection.

Whether you're a seasoned author or just beginning your writing journey, Sit Write Here offers a compassionate and practical framework to transform your writing practice. By embracing mindfulness, writers can not only enhance their craft but also find greater fulfillment and joy in the creative process.

Genres: Writing, Self Help, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published July 7, 2026

About the author

April Dávila is an award-winning author, speaker, and writing coach. Publishers Weekly called her debut novel, 142 Ostriches, a "vivid, uplifting debut" and the book went on to win the WILLA Award for Women Writing the West. Writer's Digest listed her blog (at aprildavila.com) as one of the Best 101 Websites for Writers and she is the creator of the Sit Write Here writing coaching program, helping writers quiet their inner critics, overcome writer's block, and edit more effectively.

She's a half-hearted gardener, occasional runner, and practicing buddhist living in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Martin Maenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

St. Martin's Press provided an early galley for review.

Back in 2020, I read and enjoyed the author's debut novel 142 Ostriches. From that, I wanted to hear her approach on the writing process. I can honestly say it was not an approach I have heard of from other writing books I've read.

While other writing books might focus on the manual process, this one is all about the mental one. It is about understaning how our minds work to better approach how we can harness it when we are writing. She provides guidance on the meditation process as well as offers solid tips for new writers just starting out.

These are techniques that take only a fraction of your daily routine but can yield great gains when it comes to your writing results.

[Kristen Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book feels like a warm hug for any writer struggling with a project. The author details a series common and practical mindful meditation tips alongside how they can help with the different aspects (and challenges) of writing. And the book solidly delivers on its promise of providing you with the tools to "write more and suffer less." It even has a lovely check-in in the middle of the book, calling you out for skipping the practices to finish the book (guilty) and reminding you that these tips can only help if you actually do them!

Initially, I wasn't sold on the balance between writing advice and meditation advice. The beginning is heavily weighted toward meditation (which is fair). It felt more like a meditation 101 book than a writing book. However, the second half of the book transitioned back to a focus on writing while connecting to the practices from earlier. I personally enjoyed the second half of the book much more than the first. This organization of content makes perfect sense, but as someone who has an good understanding of meditation already, I kept waiting for some new or insightful tool in the first half that never came. Instead, the second half offered the payoff I was looking for by connecting the practices to the actual craft of writing.

My favorite aspect of the book was how it shows that it's okay to write a lackluster first draft and then slow down to be more mindful as you go back to edit through your subsequent drafts. This subject is touched on in many books on writing, but this book actually walks through what those changes or improvements might actually look like from draft to draft --- all because you can be much more present and mindful as you edit rather than when you're vomiting out that first draft.

I would strongly recommend this book to a new writer or a writer who is entirely new to meditation.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this book.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this new book that is both a guide to writing, a guide to mediation, and guide to finding that creative spark that lies in all of us, awakening it, and creating wonderful things.

Books have always had meaning to me, one of the few things in the world that has never let me down, unlike just about everything else on this planet. I love media entertainment, but movies and comics, art and music, I have stepped away from for periods of time. In fact long periods of time. Books though, I don't think I have ever gone a day without reading something. Books are my meditation, life gets too much, give me a book and let me get lost. History, biography, shoot-em-up, stories about aliens, ancient mysteries, and mysteries the heart and murder, books calm me, and make me go on. As such I have read numerous books about how people come to write, style guides, story ideas, how-tos and why-tos, by famous writers and writers known for writing books about writing books. A few have given me advice, most have been interesting. Few have stayed with me. Until this book. This book has given me inspiration and allowed me to call myself what I have always wanted to be considered, a writer. Sit Write Here: 6 Mindfulness Practices to Help You Write More and Suffer Less by April Dávila is a book about writing, the writing life, the writing mind, and the use of mediation to find the inner fire to make words appear on paper, even if the writing is just for yourself.

The book is about writing, meditation and how to like a delicious Reese's Peanut Butter Cup make two things that sound great, sound great together. The book begins with the author discussing the early days of the writing life. Getting up early, having coffee, and fighting for words to appear. Rejections were plenty, and so was the feeling of wasting time. Until a few steps,a watching of breath and an attempt to understand what the inner life of the author allowed for a creative breakthrough. Short stories began to be accepted, a novel was written, and a new understanding of Dávila's creative powers was unleashed. The book is a series of exercises, from simple meditation, to deeper forms of stillness are detailed. There are plenty of examples from Dávila's writing life, critical examinations and deep understandings. The book has pages for answering questions, to detail what one starts to unlock, and how to continue even when the words aren't quite blocked, but not as forthcoming as they were.

A book that was far more than I expected. I really thought this was a Happiness Project book, see find your inner happy and unleash the writer within you. The book is far more than that. Dávila has a real interest in helping people who want to be more creative find that spark. Not joy, but the joy of feeling and calling oneself a writer. Which I must admit was quite a profound moment. Dávila is very good at making things make sense. The steps to start mediation, the act of breathing and what can follow. The blocks one might have to doing so. The dangers of examining one's inner life. And the rewards.

One of the better books I have read about writing, and even about meditation, and how it can make one's life better. A helpful little book, full of insights, and one that has made me think more about the term writer and what it means. This was the first book that I have read by Dávila, I feel I will be reading much of Dávila's work in the future.

[Kayla P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came to me at the right time in my writing journey. I love everything about this book. I’ve read a lot of books about the creative process and techniques on writing, this book is different. It incorporates mindfulness and the invitation to get curious into the writing practice. Writing is a solitary pursuit and can often lead one wondering if the time spent pouring your heart onto the page and trying to make sense of your thoughts is worth it. “Writing begins in the mind” and April teaches how to become aware of the thoughts you have about yourself and writing, sort those thoughts, confront those thoughts and use what’s already inside of you to create something beautiful. April’s encouragement is simple and sincere; “If you write, you are a writer. That’s it.”
I felt so seen in my writing practice while reading this book. April writes with refreshing clarity, candor, humor and insight from decades of writing experience. She shares her process, lessons learned and incorporates mindfulness practices at the end of each chapter. I especially loved how she included psychology, emotional health and studies to support both in each chapter as it relates to why we do the things that we do. This book is full of practical exercises that you can use today that will help your writing. She also identifies common road blocks and gives thoughtful exploration into each. She touches on Buddhism and eastern practices as it relates to mindfulness meditation. Along the way, she emphasizes the underlying principle of becoming more aware of what’s already inside of you in the writing process.
I was helped by reading this book and my writing has improved as a result. Not only that, but how I approach the practice of writing has shifted to only focus on what she calls “Just This” as a guiding principle. I can’t overstate how much freedom this simple shift has had in my writing. This is an essential tool for any writer who may feel stuck in their writing or lacks clarity. With her beautiful prose and expert storytelling April is the writing instructor I wish I’d had 10 years ago. I'm so grateful to April for taking the time to write from her experience in this wonderfully complex, but deeply satisfying art form.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an advanced copy of the ebook for an honest review.

[Nicole Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you very much NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC of April Davila's book "sit. write. here."

Take a book about writing: all the fun, fulfillment, and frustration; add in solid, science-backed benefits of meditation, and season with a dash of humor, and you have April Davila's excellent book "sit. write. here."

This book is not a writing guide; it is a guide for writers to tap into their deepest reserves of creativity and approach their writing with confidence and direction. Davila reaches down to the roots of writing resistance, exploring the myriad reasons writers don't write despite the desperate urge to do so. Case in point: I have folded laundry, washed dishes, made brownies for my husband's birthday, washed more dishes, and wrote this review instead of working on the poem I started last night. (Yes, I understand that writing a book review is writing; however, I find reviews much easier to write than any of the writing projects I have going on.) Next, you will probably find me color-coding my facial serums or organizing my sock drawer. For whatever reason, a writer's biggest roadblock to writing is themselves. Very often it is fear of the inner critic, an insidious voice that lives in our heads and is an absolute wretch. Ironically, my writing is the one thing my inner critic doesn't complain about. Thank heaven for small mercies.

Davila's book teaches writers how to approach, accept, and move on from these mental blocks. Don't ignore them, she advises, that only makes the problem worse. Instead, accept the block, allow that you are struggling, and then meditate on why you have that block. When you come to an answer, ask why again. And again. Keep asking until you are able to acknowledge that you as a writer is not the problem, nor is your writing; but that outside factors influencing you are. And then, Davila says, go write.

I received this ARC as an eBook and highlighted many passages. I want a hard copy as well, because this is the kind of book you make notes in and turn to again and again, and because I'm a book goblin that piles writing books on my desk and writes in bed. Writers of all types, artists, any kind of creative person who has ever felt stuck or doubted their skill will greatly benefit from reading this book.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

April Davila's Sit. Write. Here. is a wonderfully unique book about the benefits of incorporating meditation into the practice of writing. It's important to note that you don't have to be an accomplished meditator before reading this book, as she walks you through the process, ensuring it's easy and accessible for all. Should the reader require it, the author has also made guided meditations specific to the book available on her website.

I've been meditating, although not well, for many years, and this is the first time I've come across the idea of using meditation to inform or to improve my writing. It's simple, yet it never once occurred to me before now. After reading the book, I'm left wondering how I missed it.

The book is written in a very easy-to-read style that outlines the different ways meditation can be used in the writing process, along with the reasoning or justification behind it. The author provides anecdotes and walks the reader through what it would look like, to ensure the reader has a clear picture of why they'd use meditation, where they'd use it, and how they'd use it, as well as what the end product might look like after using it. But the book isn't just about meditation. It's primarily a book about writing and how to stay balanced and in a right frame of mind when doing so.

I've read a lot of books on writing, too many to count, really, and this book is in a league of its own. The reader isn't given a set of rules or guidelines to memorize and follow, instead the reader is provided with a tool that will help them access the thoughts and emotions needed to write believable characters and believable content. The author also shows how meditation can provide balance and a sense of equilibrium when the writing process, or life in general, is proving to be a bit topsy turvy.

I believe this book would be a great benefit to both beginning and seasoned writers of all genres. Let go of any preconceived notions about meditation, read the book with an open mind, and follow the recommended exercises. I think you'll be glad you did.

[Bookish Emili Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sit Write Here is warm, thoughtful, and quietly compelling. April Davila delivers a story that feels grounded in real life while still offering the kind of emotional payoff readers look for in contemporary fiction.
The strength of the book is its emotional clarity. Davila writes with restraint and intention. She allows moments to land without overexplaining them, which makes the story feel honest rather than forced. The tone is gentle but not shallow. It deals with grief, identity, and connection in a way that feels lived-in and believable.
The main character carries the novel well. She is flawed, cautious, and at times frustrating, but always understandable. Her growth is gradual and feels earned. Davila does not rush transformation. Instead, she lets it unfold through small decisions and everyday interactions, which makes the arc more convincing. The supporting cast adds depth without overwhelming the story, and the relationships feel natural rather than overly constructed.
The setting is another standout. The rescue/community space is not just a backdrop. It shapes the story and reflects the themes of healing and second chances. The inclusion of animals adds texture without becoming gimmicky. It enhances the emotional core rather than distracting from it.
Pacing is steady and controlled. The book does not rely on dramatic twists. Instead, it builds through character development and emotional tension. For readers expecting high drama, this may feel slower, but for those who appreciate character-driven storytelling, it works well.
If there is any limitation, it is that the conflict remains relatively contained. The stakes are personal rather than large-scale, which may not appeal to everyone. But this is clearly a deliberate choice, and within that scope, the book succeeds.
Summary:
April Davila delivers a thoughtful, character-driven novel that prioritizes emotional realism over spectacle. Sit Write Here is warm, grounded, and quietly impactful. For readers who enjoy stories about growth, healing, and human connection, this is an easy five-star read.

[Belinda (Belle) Witzenhausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary ARC copy of Sit Write Here: 6 Mindfulness Practices to Help You Write More and Suffer Less by April Dávila from Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press in order to read and give an honest review.

If you’re a fan of Natalie Goldberg or Julia Cameron, you’re going to feel right at home here. This book belongs on that same shelf, acting as a powerful guide for putting yourself back in the driver’s seat of your life rather than remaining at the whim of circumstances. It’s truly about using mindfulness as a tool to unlock your full creative potential.

The author does a brilliant job of highlighting how we often lose our way. She points out the perils of social media derailing any chance of mindfulness. Instead of making space for our own ideas, these platforms are designed to keep us endlessly engaged while we hardly notice what’s happening right in front of our faces. It was a sobering, necessary reminder.

There’s also a beautiful section on “loving kindness,” using the metaphor of a spoonful of salt. If you dump that salt into a small cup, it’s undrinkable. But drop that same salt into a vast lake, and it becomes indiscernible. The salt, our life’s difficulties, doesn’t change, but by expanding our “container,” we make those hardships manageable. We can’t always control the salt, but we can definitely grow our capacity to hold it. This held true for me after a year that almost completely derailed my writing.

My absolute favorite part, though, was the chapter on the myth of writer’s block. She pulls back the curtain on what is really behind that stuck feeling and gives such practical, grounded advice on how to break through to your productive side. It’s the kind of insight that turns “I can’t write today” into a solvable problem rather than a personality flaw.

This book is warm, thoughtful, and quietly compelling. It’s honest, lived-in, and doesn’t rely on fluff. If you’re looking for a guide to help you cultivate a more intentional, spacious creative practice, this is an easy five-star recommendation.

[tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

my two favorite topics mingling in the same book?! yes please.
thank you netgalley for providing me with an ARC. i loved this book!!

“mindfulness at its heart is about learning to see things as they truly are.”

“Social media is the antithesis of mindfulness. Instead of making space for ideas…social media is designed to keep you endlessly engaged while hardly even noticing what’s in front of your face.”

“The word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek word that means “to be inspired or possessed by a god,” so you can think of enthusiasm as divine direction, a nudge from the Almighty, or the universe”

“Buddhists sometimes use the metaphor of the first and second arrow. You can think of the thing that causes the initial sadness or discomfort as an arrow landing somewhere in your body. This first arrow is the unavoidable pain of life. You get sick. You get your heart broken. A story you wrote gets rejected. The second arrow is the one you shoot at yourself. It’s the mental and emotional reaction to the initial pain. You might catch yourself thinking, Why can’t I do anything right? or I’m such an idiot, or Who do I think I am trying to be a writer? The second arrow is the anger, doubt, and shame one tends to bring to already painful situations.”

“Lovingkindness….difficulties of life being like salt, and how if you mix a tablespoon of salt into a cup of water and drink it, it’s going to taste gross. But if you drop that same amount of salt into a much larger body of water, like a bathtub or swimming pool or a lake, it will be diluted to such a point that it’s indiscernible. The salt remains the same, but the spaciousness of the container makes all the difference.

The salt in this metaphor represents all life’s difficulties. As Salzberg points out, you have very little control over how much trouble you will face in your lifetime. What you can do is make your “container” more spacious so you can dilute any amount of salt that comes your way.”

[Susan Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley

Several author friends recommended SIT WRITE HERE by April Davila, and WOW, now I see why.

This book convinced me of the value of meditation before a writing session. Meditating now feels manageable to me, thanks to Davila’s explanation that mindfulness meditation doesn't require ridding your mind of all thoughts, but simply an awareness of where your mind wanders and returning your attention repeatedly to an anchor. (The anchor she suggests of repeatedly counting backwards from 10 works better for me than just focusing on my breathing.)

With even just a few attempts at the simple meditation practice from chapter 1, I glimpsed how meditating can rein in thoughts, help recognize and release negative ones, and harness one’s inner critic. My first 10-minute meditation improved my focus enough that immediately afterward, I solved the sticky wording in my log line that had been troubling me.

Besides providing tools of meditation useful for dealing with distracting thoughts, self-doubt, and misconceptions, this book contains solid writing advice for (among other things) immersing the reader in the character’s emotional journey, identifying themes in our writing, and ensuring the story shows up clearly on the page.

After reading Sit Write Down, I have more clarity about the hows and whys of adopting a meditation practice than ever before. That insight, along with April Devila’s wise writing advice, made this book feel like a gold mine of information. I gobbled it up, and now plan to read it again more slowly, work through all the suggested meditations and exercises, and explore some of the additional references listed at the back of the book. As soon as I finished this book, I visited the author’s website to see what else I might learn from April Devila.

I am grateful to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book, as it is a delightful addition to my library of treasured craft books.

[Diane Dachota · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative book about using meditation to help your writing and to get out of so called "writers block". The author is a writer and writing coach and has a popular writing blog, online writer's group and works one on one with writers who need guidance. The book tackles a number of writing topics such as not finding time to write, creating characters with depth and using your own emotions to create believable characters. Each chapter has a guided meditation which is followed by a writing exercise. I found the writing exercises to be useful and I think her advice will help writers create with greater depth.

The author talks a lot about people saying they have writer's block and she views this as having distractions or not being confident in your talent as a writer. I found her ideas of just writing without editing initially to be helpful as it is difficult to write while trying to edit at the same time. I liked the way the author does not give a set of strict rules (such as write everyday) but gently guides the reader to keep going back to their writing even if they don't have a lot of time.

The first half of the book seems heavier on the meditation aspect while the second half goes into more specifics on the writing process. I also like the fact the author has an online group that is not about critique but about sharing information, checking in and supporting each other on the writing journey. I read this as an ebook but will buy a physical copy so I can refer back to it with my own writing. Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.

[Lisa Hagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sit Write Here is much more than another book about writing; it's a guide to becoming a calmer, more confident, and more mindful creator. April Dávila beautifully combines the craft of writing with the practice of mindfulness, offering a fresh perspective on overcoming the obstacles that every writer eventually faces.

What I appreciated most is that the book doesn't promise quick fixes or magical inspiration. Instead, it teaches practical techniques for developing focus, working through self-doubt, embracing discomfort, and staying resilient when the words don't come easily. The mindfulness exercises are simple, approachable, and naturally woven into the lessons rather than feeling forced or overly philosophical.

The six core practices provide a clear framework that writers at any stage can apply, whether they're drafting a first novel, writing memoirs, journaling, or simply trying to establish a consistent writing habit. I especially enjoyed the emphasis on finding joy in the writing process rather than becoming consumed by perfection or fear of rejection.

Dávila writes with warmth, wisdom, and genuine compassion, making this book feel like encouragement from an experienced mentor. If you've ever struggled with writer's block, distractions, or the inner critic that seems determined to silence your creativity, Sit Write Here offers practical tools that can help you reconnect with your voice.

Highly recommended for writers of every genre who want to strengthen both their craft and their relationship with writing itself.

[Kate Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a writer, I’m always on the lookout for new craft books, but this one is a little different, in a very good way. Sit Write Here explores six key practices of mindfulness and meditation with a specific aim to incorporate mindfulness into one’s writing practice. I’m not big on meditation, but I know it offers so many benefits, especially as our society moves further away from quiet and stillness and it becomes harder to escape the noise of life.

I really enjoyed reading about these concepts such as embracing discomfort in order to be more equipped to portray conflict in writing, learning to dive deeper into your emotions in order to more effectively portray emotions of characters on the page, and learning to persevere through the many obstacles that can get in the way of your writing. The author offers practical and written exercises to help the reader implement these concepts. The section on dealing with feedback and rejection was particularly meaningful, as every writer I know struggles with how to keep going when it feels as though they’ve failed. This book offers clear ways to train your brain to be kinder to yourself and to find more joy in the process of creation. I am already enthusiastically recommending this handy mindfulness guide to every writer I know!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this book.

[Kayla Groening · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will preface this review by stating that I do not enjoy meditation. If I don't like meditation, why did I read the book?

Honestly, I didn't realize that this would be the type of mindfulness practised throughout the book. I attempt a mindfulness practise through alternative means. These are often active ones, such as journalling, writing, intuitive art, and walking. Meditation is neither effective nor enjoyable for me. I tried some of the meditation prompts early in the book and then skipped the rest. If you enjoy meditation, you will probably get much more out of the book.

That said, I still found a lot of value in "Sit, Write, Here."

April Davila touches on many themes (criticism, disappointment, focus, creativity, habits, intuition, conflict, perspective, avoidance, to name a few) that often surface when writing. There are many writing prompts throughout the book that I found beneficial in my writing practice. While reading this book, I was inspired to pick up a pen and spend some time with my neglected journal. That, for me, is a win.

This book was provided through Netgalley as an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Valorie Hallinan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the same mindfulness certification the author does, and I write. This is an excellent book that is needed but, if someone is new to meditation, I think that it would be exceedingly tedious and difficult for them to learn meditation from a book and then to apply it to writing. The concept is good and I’m surprised it hasn’t been done before. But learning meditation from a book is difficult. I was disappointed that the list of 11 obstacles to writing was explained in an appendix, when this is one of the most important aspects of the book. Her explanations and solutions are good, but the writing is somewhat cursory and thin. She was probably kept to a strict page count to keep the book succinct. I think writing motivation is tricky and the author seems to imply we can simply follow these steps -it seems she has had quite a bit of success, but I think many people would have difficulties with her advice because writing can be very challenging. I could see someone getting discouraged by the meditation and go no further, and add this book to the pile of writing motivation books that sound great but are so difficult to put into practice.

[Hamad Naif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a chance to review Sit Write Here
by April Dávila
✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️


April Dávila is a novelist, and writing coach, certified mindfulness instructor has written a guide that gets to the root of why writing is hard in ways most craft books never bother to address. Not technique. Not structure. The inner weather. The fear. The silence before the first word.
Built around six practices from Insight Meditation, the book moves through every stage of a writer's struggle with uncommon precision and real compassion. It doesn't promise to make writing easy. It promises to help you stop fighting yourself — and that turns out to be the same thing.
Warm, wise, and genuinely transformative. This one earns a permanent place on my shelf.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

If writing a novel is like a marathon, then this book is the strength and conditioning authors need for their most important asset, their brain. This book gives great advice as well as practical exercises to help you strengthen your mind for the challenging task of creating stories and the vulnerability that comes with putting them out in the world.
As authors, we need to learn to get comfortable with our own emotions before we can put them on the page. We need to be able to identify what is holding us back when the words don't flow.
This book relies heavily on Buddhist practices, but as a Christian, I could still find much that will help me better take care of my mind to produce the best work I am capable of.

[Rachel Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only regret in picking up this book is that it didn't find me sooner.

The techniques outlined are really helping my daily writing practice, particularly the parts about how to get (and stay) out of your own way. The author's approach is wise, insightful, compassionate and the book does a wonderful job of blending theory, practical technique, and an all-around balm for the creative soul. Do check out the online resources referenced within as well. All so helpful for writers at any stage or experience level.

Grateful to have found this book and I know I will keep it close at hand for years to come.

Thank you to the publisher and author for the advance copy

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

overall, i enjoyed this read!

the intro felt a little preachy and i'll admit i was a tad reluctant to buy into the mindfulness practice and all that, but there were some very useful exercises that reminded me of EMDR and my years in therapy. this was a very encouraging read that would help any writer get out of their head and put words on the page. calling out the actual time tradeoff for how many words you can get written in place of doomscrolling was a gamechanger!

i do have to admit: i fear that loving-kindness is just not for me. but that's okay, i found plenty of other techniques that are.

thank you st martin's press for the ARC!

[Christina Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy! I loved this refreshing and quite useful take on writing preparation. I haven't read anything that helps with the mindset and preparation to write which I find to be a quite useful way to approach things. I feel like the author was practical in her approach and did a great job of laying things out. Mindfulness is something I've tried to bring into many aspects of life and this book is timely, for me, so I look forward to putting it into practice. I appreciate that there are steps laid out as well as reflection questions and even space to write. I really enjoyed this one!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect going into Sit Write Here; some books on writing can be condescending while others seem to do little else than wax poetic on the author's own brilliance rather than offer anything helpful.

But this was absolutely fabulous. It's so incredibly accessible and the tone made the whole process of finding that headspace for writing approachable. I loved the workbook feel of the narrative and I'm eager to put it into practice. I would certainly buy my own copy of this--it's one of my favorite craft books in recent memory.

Thanks to the publisher for the invitation to read and review this title through NetGalley.

[Mary Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wise, gentle, experienced guide April Davila is. There was so much to love in this book, and the practical advice about calming the mind to write is gold. I appreciated the tone of the writing: we have a wise friend here, someone on the same path, and with extra wisdom. She fits meditation into our lives so smoothly that she overcomes all the traditional places of resistance. I pre-ordered the book, and will buy it digitally as well. I can imagine returning to this book again and again, dipping in and out to refresh my mind with April's gentle savvy.

[kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who struggles deeply with my inner critic, I really related to Chapter 3 about writer’s block.

I also enjoyed the chapter about reaching a state of flow while writing and the words just coming out. This truly is the best feeling as a writer. I will be implementing April’s mediation techniques before writing to see if it helps me reach the flow state.

There are ample practice sections that you can use before or after writing. They’re laid out very clearly with easy to follow instructions.

I enjoyed this book and will be utilizing a lot of practices with my own writing. This is the first writing book that I’ve read that taps into our inner mindfulness and approaches it through mediation and self thought.

If you’re a writer who gets stuck, like I do, give this book a chance. It’s not too long or wordy and the practice examples can be used over and over.

Thank you St. Martin’s Essentials for sending this ARC over! I devoured it in one day.

Perfect for:
✍🏼 writers/authors
📖 those who want to practice meditation & mindfulness
✍🏼 someone who needs to break past their inner critic

[Cara Achterberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and underlined plenty of inspiration, even as I am not a meditator. And while it didn't inspire me to start, it did pique my interest, and I can see how meditating can really make writing more focused. As I read, though, I realized that I do meditate - just not sitting still. I meditate every morning on my walks. The ideas for focusing my thoughts and breath were helpful, and I incorporated the spirit, if not the specifics. There are so many writing books out there, and this one has a little different spin. Definitely recommend. Also love the cover. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book brought together writing and mindfulness! Sit Write Here tackles strategy for writing, and strategy for being able to actually SIT and WRITE. (With busy lives, mental blocks and other distractions, it’s not as easy as you think!)

As an aspiring author and writer, I really enjoyed the teachings, meditations and strategies in this book.

[Ambi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the prompts in this book and the clever connection to meditation. I’ve put a few of the sections in practice now and it’s been a joy to see what techniques work for me. I appreciate how comprehensive this book is while also embracing a gentle flexibility in its approach.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incorporating the practices of mindfulness, meditation, and Zen into a writing habit, this book provides useful and practical advice for writers, especially those stuck or struggling. The book includes instructions for several different types of meditation that will aid the process.

[I got an advanced e-galley of this book through Netgalley. The book will be published July 7, 2026.]

[Kerstin Kohlhepp · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Advanced readers Copy from netgalley*

I thought it was a great book! I especially liked the chapter on writers block. I need to remember to do other things to get me into writing and getting past the hurdles. The meditation part was interesting too. Something to try. I recommend it to all those who want to write or even working on a story.

[Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and even though I am grateful
To #Netgalley for the free chance to review, as going to buy myself a copy. The tone is breezy but the message is essential - teaching meditation for writers who may otherwise have their focus split by life / weaponized algorithms design to consume us. I will come back to this again and again!

[Kimberly Monaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drawing on personal experience, historical evidence, Buddhist wisdom, and scientific research, April Dávila makes a compelling case for transforming the mindset to improve creative outcomes in Sit. Write. Here. Read my full review: https://tinyurl.com/5x9t2y7n