writing diary #2-2026

✍️ Substack & Essays
Published my first personal essay on perimenopause and psychosis
Early reader response has been encouraging (17 subscribers and growing)
Long-term goal: curate a revised essay collection for 2027
Spent a full day importing all past essays into Scrivener to:
Re-edit unpublished work
Extend previously published pieces
Build a cohesive manuscript rather than scattered posts

🎙 Podcast & Media
Unfiltered Voices
Interviewed by Kellie for her podcast
Strong enough conversation that I invited her onto mine next
Amra’s Armchair Anecdotes
Batched 5 episodes and scheduled them
More interviews planned before returning to work
Updated logo and visual branding for Season 2

🛒 Pishukin Press Store
Adjusted direct-sale discount from 20% → 10%
Encourages buying direct without undercutting paperback value
Currently:
Paperbacks: Australia only
Digital products: worldwide

Next focus:
Bundled offers
Better advertising and visibility

📦 Ghosts Among the Gumtrees Kickstarter
Finalised proof copy of Book 2
Delivered bonus short story “Zora’s Story”
Fulfilled backer orders
Kickstarter report and breakdown still to come

📚 Friendship on Hold (Middle Grade)
Regained publishing rights
Identified illustration issue:
Two clashing styles (abstract vs cartoon)
Decision made to:
Standardise illustrations as abstract
Teaching activities in development (slow, steady progress)

✍️ Work in Progress – Seka Torlak Series
Deep into Book 5 and loving the direction
Now tracking chapter-by-chapter threads (because my brain is no longer a filing cabinet)
Goal:
Complete draft before end of January
Let it marinate before revisions
Reality check:
Book 4 needs a significant rewrite and that’s the next major task

https://amrasarmchairanecdotes.substack.com/p/writing-diary-2-2026