Poconos author self-publishes dystopian novel

For Poconos author Jean Estelle, writing has always been an “escape.”
“I’ve been writing since I can hold a pencil. Like me, everyone has a story and my escape has been my writing all my life.” Estelle said. “It was a world I could create, control and lose myself in; my escape.”
And he seems to be building a fan base in the Pocono Mountains.
Her recent novel, HOPE, described as “post apocalyptic” and “dystopian” by her husband and publicist Eric Rosol, “is starting to sell better than we ever could have imagined.”
HOPE introduces us to the world of the main character Juniper Mikah. The teenager is forced to live underground with what is left of the world’s population after a nuclear war.
Estelle, born in Warwick, NY but raised in the Poconos, worked at HOPE for over a decade before self-publishing the novel two years ago.
“Between working full time, going to college, getting married, having kids and doing it all by myself for the book,” outside of the cover which was painted by childhood friend April Boehme, Estelle noted, “It was challenging to say the least.”

According to Rosol, the pair have taken the book, which is the first of a trilogy (Estelle is working on the sequel) to several small shops in the region for autographs, and the reception has been great.
“We did a couple of purchases at the now recently closed comic book store, Hall of Heroes, (formerly) in Pocono Lake.” Rosolo said. “Our sales for the two purchases were about 40 books total.” Not bad for a small town shop.
They took the book to Scranton Comic Con, Lehigh Valley Comic Con, ESU Homecoming, and other events in Northeast Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley.
“It’s important to support local authors and businesses and help build a sense of community. There’s no greater feeling in the world than walking into a store and having someone come up to you and ask about your work. I love to write, and I like to read”. Estelle said. “In all these local stores where I have my book and I’m trying to get my book in, I meet a lot of people from all different walks of life. We all share a common interest, and that’s our love of books”
Where to find “Hope” at regional retailers and online
The book is available for purchase at the following outlets:
Comics in green: 307N Washington Avenue, Scranton. Call 570-342-5960 or go to comicsonthegreen.com for more information.
Player advantage: 580 Main St, Stroudsburg, 570-421-3343, thegamersedgecomics.com.
White Dragon Comics: 246 Stadden Road, Walking Village, Suite 202, Tannersville, 570-234-5145, superherocomicbooks.com
Coffee Dial: 20 N 3rd St, Easton, 610-252-1188, facebook.com/QuadrantBookMartCoffeeHouse
Express library: 300 Lackawanna Ave, Scranton, 570-558-1670, lclshome.org/b/library-express.
I have beans: Located inside Stroud Mall, 344 Stroud Mall Rd, Stroudsburg, 570-730-4682, justgotbeans.com.
Book + Art Sellers: 65 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, 215-514-6443, sellersbooks.com.
Amazonia: Available in e-book, hardback and paperback formats, amzn.to/3jl55oQ.