State of the Estelle // Q4 2025

December 7, 2025

I'm writing this from the comfort of my office. My son is at school for the morning, so I can calmly settle in to think about what to update you on. Three months is a long time between updates, and I've got a sheet of paper next to me to help me remember everything. Let's start with what I think is the most important: the writing.

Progress bar

Overall, it isn't easy to just sit down and write. My mind isn't always at it, as I juggle multiple things at the same time. During my long commutes, I often listen to The Creative Penn podcast. There was a lovely episode recently with Donn King, about writing while caregiving. He gave great advice on how to keep the productivity flowing while having so many things to do, like caring for a little one, working a job, etc. I mean, no offence, but when I hear people giving their productivity advice, we're not often in the same stage of life. This episode felt like I was finally being seen.

And the week after, on the same podcast, Wendy Dale talked about memoir writing, which gave me ideas on how to unblock me with the writing of Project Mum. But that project will have to wait until I complete Project Sky.

Project Sky

I am done reading through the story and examining the developmental edits report I had ordered a while back. I know some plot holes need to be fixed. I know there are some writing I'll have to touch up in order to make the story better. And yet, I'm scared.

Scared because it's been a long while since I wrote this book. I've changed, my writing has changed, and I'm afraid I'll alter the story in a way readers will know it's been written over a long, long span of time.

But I'm giving it the time it needs to be done correctly, with the care it deserves. Hopefully, Project Sky will be completed in the first quarter of 2026, and I'll be able to move on with the release preparation.

In the meantime, I'm working on a little something while you wait for the release of the book. At the moment, it's with a cover designer. It has already been through a copy editor, and I can't wait to share this with you.

Existing work

While procrastinating on the work on Project Sky, I've done some things around my other books. I'm proud to let you know I dared to give away a few copies to my local libraries, AND I've also been brave enough to ask a second bookshop to partner with me in selling my books. Those are two things I should have done a while ago, but when it comes to asking people... well, you know if you're introverted like me.

I've also updated my books' metadata on all platforms, with new keywords.

And finally, I've set up an eshop with Payhip to be able to sell direct. It was pretty easy to set it up, but my gosh did I have a few issues with PayPal... I finally switched to Mollie Payment, which is a Dutch company. Anyway, you're now able to get your books directly from me. I'll add signed copies in the shop when I'm sure about shipping price... which involves calling the post office to double check with them...

If you'd like me to go through the process of searching and changing my book's metadata or how I set up the eshop with Payhip, please let me know.

I guess that's it for today. Thanks again for all your support. I'll be back with more updates in March. I wish you a lovely Christmas. Until next time, friend!