Poconos author finds 'Hope', escape through writing

Ashley Catherine Fontones, Pocono Record
·3 min read
Poconos-based author Jean Estelle at her booth at Scranton Comic Con.
Poconos-based author Jean Estelle at her booth at Scranton Comic Con.

For Poconos author Jean Estelle, writing has always been an "escape."

"I’ve been writing ever since I could hold a pencil. Like me, everyone has a story and my way for escape was my writing all throughout my life." Estelle said. "It was an world I could create, control, and get lost in; my escape."

And it sounds like she's 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 could've ever imagined."

HOPE introduces us to the world of main character Juniper Mikah. The teen is forced to live underground with what is left of the world's population after a nuclear war.

Estelle, who was born in Warwick, NY but grew up in the Poconos, worked on 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 everything for the book myself," outside of the cover which was painted by childhood friend April Boehme, Estelle noted, "It was challenging to say the least."

HOPE, by Poconos-based author Jean Estelle, follows the story of teenager Juniper Mikah in the aftermath of a nuclear war. The book is carried by numerous small businesses in the Poconos and northeast Pennsylvania.
HOPE, by Poconos-based author Jean Estelle, follows the story of teenager Juniper Mikah in the aftermath of a nuclear war. The book is carried by numerous small businesses in the Poconos and northeast Pennsylvania.

According to Rosol, the couple has taken the book, which is the first of a trilogy (Estelle is hard at work on the followup) to numerous small shops in the region for book signings, and the reception has been great.

"We have done a couple of signings at the now-recently closed comic store, Hall of Heroes, (formerly) in Pocono Lake." Rosol said. "Our sales for the two signings were roughly 40 books total." Not bad for a small town shop.

They've brought the book to Scranton Comic Con, Lehigh Valley Comic Con, ESU Homecoming and other events throughout northeast Pa. and the Lehigh Valley.

"It is important to support local authors, businesses, and help build a sense of community. There is 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 love to read." Estelle said. "At all of these local stores I have my book in and am trying to have my book in, I meet many people from all different walks of life. We all share one common interest, and that’s our love of books"

Where to find 'Hope' at regional and online retailers

The book is available for purchase at the following locations:

Comics on the Green: 307 N Washington Ave, Scranton. Call 570- 342-5960 or go to comicsonthegreen.com for more info.

The Gamers Edge: 580 Main St, Stroudsburg, 570-421-3343, thegamersedgecomics.com.

White Dragon Comics: 246 Stadden Road, Peddler's Village, Suite 202, Tannersville, 570-234-5145, superherocomicbooks.com

Quadrant coffee house: 20 N 3rd St, Easton, 610-252-1188, facebook.com/QuadrantBookMartCoffeeHouse

Library Express: 300 Lackawanna Ave, Scranton, 570-558-1670, lclshome.org/b/library-express.

Got Beans: Located within the Stroud Mall, 344 Stroud Mall Rd, Stroudsburg, 570-730-4682, justgotbeans.com.

Sellers Books + Art: 65 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, 215-514-6443, sellersbooks.com.

Amazon: Available in e-book, hardcover and paperback format, amzn.to/3jl55oQ.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Poconos author self-publishes dystopian novel