This fully functional eBook, appropriate for print and digital production, is Alexander Smith’s Dreamthorp, a collection of essays published in 1863. I received an MFA in creative writing, specifically, writing personal essays, and this canonical text is a favorite of mine.

I once worked in the rare book room of an independent bookstore and was surrounded by wonderful old books. I took inspiration from them, especially with page numbers, margins, quoting poems and songs, and images. I included a different contemporary image from the public domain at the beginning of each chapter relating to the essay’s content.

I included my favorite quote from the book on the back cover: “The world is everywhere whispering essays, and one need only be the world’s amanuensis.”