The pandemic and Brexit continue to have a bearing on my book Cerebral Palsy: ‘A Story’.  On the day I was officially published, Covid-19 had already hit UK news. We went into lockdown too late.

My Book Cerebral Palsy: ‘A Story’ is part memoir, part motivational guide is a feel-good factor book. It allows us to ponder our past, and present experiences, and can bring an altogether different thinking from us on our experiences.

The Global Economy

The global economy is unlikely to return to a pre-pandemic normal until vaccines on effective treatments are available. Even then, with vaccines and treatments in place it will take time to build broken economies.

I came into writing late

Becoming an author wasn’t something I thought about. I came into writing late on the back of a disability I didn’t know I had until I was 46. Coming into writing at a time when the industry changed has been both difficult and challenging – and still continues to be challenging. Whilst I wouldn’t change writing, the landscape has changed.

Buying books on line

Whilst paper books are still available and being produced, the way we read and buy books has changed. Through the pandemic people are choosing to buy their books on-line.

Having to deal with Covid has meant we’ve emotionally moved away from each other. For many it was a coping mechanism, for others it was simply time out and to reassess where they were with things. In the absence of a vaccine, this will have significant implications for how we live our lives moving forward and how we choose to spend our money.

My Books help with Mental Health 

I am hoping people can begin to see the value of my books in helping us to get through and cope with the pandemic. If scientists are to be believed, Covid is one of many pandemics yet to come. It is important we change how we adapt, my books can help with that. Survival: The Covid Years is my gift to myself. I really struggled to mentally function.

All My books are 'Reason to Change'

I am saddened by what is happening out there. I couldn’t have foreseen what I know now, but I draw comfort from my words, from books that gives us reason to change our lives and for us to be able to do better.

Please Could I Ask for your Support

To have your support would be amazing. Buying my books would also help me to continue to run my website and support mental health charities. My website is personally funded by me, so you can continue to benefit with mental health. By supporting my books, you're supporting mental health charities.

My books deal with mental health and mental health issues. You can grab paperback and Kindle copies on Amazon, or through the following link https://www.thecpdiary.com/my-books 

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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4 comments on “Publishing in the Pandemic”

  1. It must have been difficult for you publishing in the pandemic. When it comes to the pandemic the biggest issue has been that just because the government can't see the problem, they don't believe that it really exists. Sadly we even currently have a President who is still not taking the virus seriously, even after catching it.

    I hand delivered a copy of your book to my daughter's house since I thought that it would be an inspiration for her. I also hoped she would possibly reach out to you, as being an inspiration to her, seeing as she would be able to see what you have been able to accomplish even with the issues you have.

  2. Ilana, I enjoy reading The CP Diary every single morning. But I was particularly delighted to read your new book, Cerebral Palsy A Story: Finding the Calm After The Storm.

    You have a gifted way of expressing yourself to your readers, vivid absorbing and penetrating. You possess everything a good writer needs, including courage.

    Publishing in a pandemic, especially one as horrific as this is not easy, but you must keep writing. You have something incredibly important to say and you're not nearly finished.

    1. Thanks Randy. Hopefully when your daughter is feeling better, she may pick up my book and choose to look through it.

      I know you're looking out for her and you're trying to find ways to help her. Fingers crossed, things change soon.

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