Into being

Reviews / Votes

'Lily Dunn is one of our best teachers and theorists of autobiographical writing and Into being is an inspiring, philosophical and helpful guide. If you are a memoirist feeling discouraged or lost, this book will give you both encouragement and insight into the value of the form, and practical ways forward. I copied many lines into my own journal.'
Amy Liptrot, author of The Outrun

'As astute as it is generous, Lily Dunn's Into being draws a capacious doorway for all who seek to write from lived experience, illuminating the contours of the endeavour using copious examples and abundant wisdom.'
Melissa Febos, author of Girlhood

'A beautiful book: absorbing, propulsive, generous and humane, both in its honesty and in its willingness to share process.'
Marina Benjamin, author of The Middlepause: On Turning Fifty

'Into being is a startlingly beautiful book that unpacks the craft of memoir with compassion and vast wisdom. Lily Dunn has written an indispensable companion for any writer embarking on the time-bending, often overwhelming journey that is the creation of memoir. I loved everything about it, and I'll be giving copies to all of my students.'
Elissa Altman, author of Permission: The New Memoirist and the Courage to Create

'A profound examination of the value of memoir for both writer and reader, with practical advice on how to access emotionally meaningful events. Lily Dunn's Into being is the essential guide to all things memoir.'
Richard Beard, author of The Day That Went Missing

'Into being could not be more timely. Life writing, memoir and autobiographical storytelling are culturally prevalent and Lily Dunn has provided us with a sensitively written, wise and insightful combination of advice, reflection and theory. An instant classic that I will be using in my teaching and writing life.'
Suzanne Joinson, author of The Museum of Lost and Fragile Things

'A revelatory and vibrant exploration of the transformative power of memoir - an essential read for writers, readers and teachers.'
Jenn Ashworth, author of Notes Made While Falling

'This book is a gift to the serious memoirist or life writer looking to develop their work. Full of practical advice, inspiring examples and a generous breadth of references, Into being looks set to become an essential part of any writer's toolkit.'
Julia Bell, author of Hymnal

'As self-reflective as it is open-armed in its sharing of knowledge and tips, Into Being becomes a kind of memoir in itself and it will leave you with a towering stack of recommendations on the pile labelled want-to-read-next.'
Cristin Leach, RTE Culture Book Of The Week

'The way Dunn writes about memoir writing, and all writing in general, is truly moving and shows her deep respect for the craft.'
Catherine Shuttleworth, The Bookish Drop

'I've read many titles on the craft of memoir, but Into Being is about so much more than the craft. I can't recommend it strongly enough. Lily Dunn's focus on the transformative power of the process, her handling of philosophical questions, the generosity with which she shares her experience, the inclusion of other writers' insights, and the voice - which blends authority and wisdom with modesty and empathy - make for a powerful mixture that I'm sure will be invaluable to memoirists for a long time to come.'
Valeria Vescina, author of That Summer in Puglia -- .