“Topping the Willow by Lori Closter is a beautiful, profound novel with practical themes for its intended audience.
It sensitively tackles many challenges that teenagers face. Highly recommended.”~ Readers’ Favorite
“At its best, storytelling will reach into your chest with both hands and grab your heart.
It says, ‘I want you to listen to my pain, my sorrow, and my hope.’
Topping the Willow does that. Lori Closter pulls no punches
to tell you a story that is raw, real, and hard to put down.”~ Bethany C, Screenwriter
“Lori Closter opens a world to us in which anyone familiar with the follies and frailties of humanity will be able to relate
and also feel understood. Through the realistic turmoil of an angry, jaded teen, we are reminded of ourselves
and relearn the way from anger and jealousy, to how to grow from our haunted hearts into hopeful and faith-filled lives.”~ Katy J.
“A beautifully crafted novel with insight and compassion packed into every page. Unforgettable!” ~ Susan D, Writer
BOOK & FILM AWARDS
NOVEL
FILM
BLOG POSTS
Winston Churchill Was Right
I was not a creative child, but I longed to be. Throughout grammar school, I panicked whenever we had to write a poem (somehow it was never a story) and one year, avoided my teacher’s [...]
Favorite Christmas Read-alouds
I cannot resist. We’re not even to Thanksgiving, but for those who know and love little ones, here are three wonderful Christmas picture books to buy as gifts or check out from the libe: Mr. [...]
Favorite Books from Childhood, Part 6: Books I WISH I’d Read in Childhood – and Your Favorites
As my five-installment “Favorite Books from Childhood” list wound to a close, I was careful only to list books I read and loved. Probably my all-time favorite, because I identified with it the most, was [...]
NEWS
More Awards … and a New Website
May 2025 – TOPPING THE WILLOW won a Gold Medal at the 2024 Nashville International Christian Film Festival for Best Feature Screenplay! Now retitled BREAKING JOY, the screenplay was also Runner-up for the Faith and Family Filmmakers Teen Audience award (Winter 2025) and is an official Selection at the 3rd Annual Hard Faith Film Festival in Hollywood. To reflect the broadened scope to include film producing, Lori Closter’s author website has been revised and is now officially www.narrowgatemedia.com. Watch for more news…
A Year-long Producers Mentorship
September 2024 – Lori has enrolled in the yearlong VIP Producers Mentorship, a new offering by Alexandra Boylan (The Boylan Sisters), who has produced eight feature films for a teen girl audience, and Jaclyn Whitt, co-founder with her husband of the Faith and Family Filmmakers Association (FAFF). The combination of experienced mentors and a full curriculum will provide great structure and support, in addition to accountability. Onward!
Another Award for Topping the Willow, Sequel Coming!
November 2023- Topping the Willow has just been named Finalist for The IAN Book of the Year Awards, for Spiritual/Inspirational Fiction. This is the novel’s fourth contest recognition. Lori has also drafted a sequel, True North (working title), which is now in revision.