S.Z. Estavillo's Blog, page 2

Cover Reveal & the Reality of Indie Publishing: Why Your Support Matters

The journey has only begun. Check out the stunning covers for the first three books in The Serpent Series—The Serpent’s Bridge, The Serpent Woman, and Twilight of the Serpent. A gripping saga of justice, revenge, and morally gray criminals—some deserving, some justified. Order now and dive into the darkness. It’s been a long, uphill battle […]

Writing, Motherhood, and Resilience: Honoring Women’s Strength on International Women’s Day

A few days ago, I had a crazy, unexpected trip to the emergency room—one that completely changed my perspective on health, motherhood, and the many roles we carry as women. It started with severe abdominal pain on my right side, which turned out to be acute appendicitis with localized peritonitis. My appendix had perforated, I had sepsis, and my body was fighting a serious infection.

The doctors ran a CT scan with contrast, and instead of emergency surgery, I was admitted, put on IV antibiotics and fluids, and kept in the hospital for several days. I had no appetite, I couldn’t eat, and between pain meds and medical updates, I tried to keep working because that’s just what we do. As a writer, a mother, and a woman, pushing through is ingrained in us.

Now, after several days in the hospital, I’ve been sent home with weeks of antibiotics to bring the infection down before I can have an appendectomy. The doctors are hopeful that this approach will help avoid complications, but there is a small risk they may need to remove part of my colon. They’re optimistic that with careful monitoring and the right treatment, surgery can go smoothly without the need for a colostomy bag. For now, I’m focusing on recovery and taking things one step at a time.

When Mom is Sick: The Weight of Motherhood

As much as I was in pain, the hardest part wasn’t just the illness itself—it was being away from my kids. My youngest son is especially attached to me, and every day I spent in the hospital, my heart ached for him. When a mom is sick, everything shifts. My husband was holding down the fort, but the absence of a mother hits differently for children. They missed me in a way that was deeper, more disorienting. As women, we are so often the emotional anchors of our families, and when we’re gone, it’s felt.

Juggling the Roles: Author, Mother, Wife, Woman

Even in the hospital, I found myself juggling multiple hats. I wasn’t just a patient—I was still an author working on book revisions, approving cover designs, and managing conversations with my publisher. I realized that some types of work were easier than others while recovering. Editing was manageable, but drafting new material? Impossible. Creativity demands energy, and pain takes it away. Instead of forcing myself to push through everything, I leaned into what I could do.

International Women’s Day: Celebrating Our Strength

This experience reminds me just how much women carry. We are mothers, creators, caregivers, professionals—leaders in our communities and in our homes. And yet, when we are unwell, the world doesn’t stop for us. We keep going. We find ways to show up, to nurture, to create, and to lead—even through exhaustion, pain, and recovery.

As a BIPOC woman, a mother, and an author, I know that the resilience we carry isn’t always by choice—it’s by necessity. International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate that resilience, to recognize the strength in every woman who juggles it all and still finds a way forward. It’s also a reminder that our health is just as important as everything else we care for.

So to all the women out there—the mothers, the dreamers, the creators, the fighters—this day is for you. May we celebrate not just what we do, but the incredible strength it takes to do it all. And may we remember that taking care of ourselves is just as important as everything else we take care of.

Writing, Motherhood, and Resilience: Honoring Women’s Strength on International Women’s Day

A few days ago, I landed in the ER with acute appendicitis, sepsis, and a serious infection. But the hardest part wasn’t the pain—it was being away from my kids. As mothers, creators, and women, we juggle so much, even when we’re unwell. This experience reminded me that taking care of ourselves is just as important as everything else we carry.

Celebrate Six Months of The Serpent Series: Enter to Win!

Six months ago, I became a published author—what a ride it’s been! From launching The Serpent’s Bridge to releasing The Serpent Woman, seeing readers dive into this world has been incredible. Giving away both books in celebration! 🎉 Just enter via Rafflecopter for a chance to win! #BookGiveaway #WritingCommunity #BookLovers #TheSerpentSeries

🚨 The Digital Doomsday Chronicles: How to Save Your Work (and Sanity) 🚨

Because toddlers, tech failures, and sheer bad luck are out to get you.

We’ve all been there. Hours—no, days—of work gone in an instant. Whether it’s your computer crashing, a spilled coffee disaster, or a rogue toddler with an unshakable determination to press all the wrong keys, disaster strikes when you least expect it.

Today, I didn’t have time to squeeze in writing my fourth manuscript in The Serpent Series because I was knee-deep in a major project for my client. In addition to being a novelist, I’m a social media content strategist, brand consultant, and digital marketing expert specializing in content strategy, video editing, and videography.

Authors Aren’t Just Authors—Many of Us Have Day Jobs

Contrary to popular belief, most authors don’t spend their days lounging in a sunlit office, effortlessly churning out bestsellers. The vast majority juggle writing alongside full-time jobs, side hustles, and personal responsibilities. Some are teachers, journalists, marketers, or even doctors and lawyers—each balancing their creative passion with the realities of making a living.

For me, that means managing social media channels, creating content calendars, developing paid and organic ad strategies, and crafting data-driven engagement strategies to help companies transform social media from a branding tool into a revenue-generating machine.

Why Digital Professionals (and Writers) Need Backup Plans

That means I analyze everything—audience insights, engagement trends, post performance, paid ad effectiveness, and audience segmentation. It’s an intricate, time-consuming process that requires translating raw data into actionable strategies that drive growth, boost engagement, and optimize ad spend.

So when my client requested an extensive breakdown of their TikTok analytics, I spent hours compiling a detailed Excel spreadsheet filled with insights, recommendations, and performance metrics.

And then—my three-year-old struck. In an act of pure chaos, they managed to delete almost all of my work by pressing a random combination of keys. Had I not saved an unmolested version minutes before, I would have been screaming into the void (or at least panic-refreshing my recycle bin).

Save, Save, and Save Again

Whether you’re a writer, a marketer, or anyone working in digital spaces, save your work. Save it twice. Save it everywhere. Cloud backups, external drives, email copies—whatever it takes. Because disaster will strike when you least expect it, and the cost of data retrieval (if even possible) isn’t just expensive—it’s soul-crushing.

For writers, professionals, and anyone who works on anything remotely important—backing up your work is not optional. Here’s why, and more importantly, how to avoid digital heartbreak.

The Horror Stories We All Know Too Well

The Vanishing Manuscript: You pour your soul into a draft, only for your laptop to die a sudden, irrecoverable death. Data retrieval? That’ll cost you thousands—and it’s not even guaranteed.

The Coffee Catastrophe: One wrong move, and your keyboard becomes a non-functional swimming pool. Buh-bye, unsaved progress.

The Update from Hell: Your computer decides, without warning, that now is the perfect time for an update, wiping out everything that wasn’t saved.

The Accidental Toddler Hacker: They mash the keyboard, somehow overriding all known safety features, and—poof—your work is gone. (Or worse, replaced with indecipherable gibberish.)

💾 How to Avoid a Digital Nightmare

1️⃣ Save in Multiple Locations

Your work deserves better than just one lonely save file. Use multiple backup methods:

Cloud storage: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive—pick your poison.

External hard drives: A good old-fashioned external backup drive never hurts.

Email yourself: Yes, it sounds old-school, but it works.

2️⃣ Enable Auto-Save (Seriously, Just Do It)

If you’re working in Microsoft Word or Excel, turn on AutoSave immediately. Google Docs does this by default. Trust me, it’s a lifesaver.

3️⃣ Set Up Version History

Google Docs and Microsoft OneDrive keep a history of document changes, so you can revert back if something gets nuked. Use it.

4️⃣ Save Before Walking Away

Before you step away for coffee, a bathroom break, or a toddler wrangling session, hit save. It takes two seconds and could save you hours of frustration.

5️⃣ Backup Your Manuscripts Like Your Career Depends on It (Because It Does)

As an author, I take extra precautions. My publisher even requests an unedited backup of my drafts, just in case. A manuscript isn’t just a document—it’s months (or years) of work, and losing it isn’t an option.

The Takeaway? Save, Save, and Save Again.

I lost almost everything today, but I got lucky. Next time, I might not. And neither might you. Whether you're a writer, a creative, or a professional drowning in spreadsheets—have a backup plan. Because if disaster hasn’t struck yet, it’s only a matter of time.

Writing Through Exhaustion: Why Listening to Your Body Matters

There’s a lot of advice out there about writing every day, no matter what. Push through exhaustion. Write even when you don’t want to. Show up no matter how you feel. And while discipline is important, I’ve learned that ignoring your body can do more harm than good.

Yesterday, I wrote 800 words. Today? Nothing. Between back-to-back meetings and stress, my brain is totally fried. I could’ve forced myself to stare at the screen, but I knew the words wouldn’t come. Instead of draining myself further, I made the smarter choice—rest now, write later.

When You Don’t Have Time, What Can You Do?

Not everyone has the luxury of a daily writing routine. Life gets in the way—work, family, stress. But writing isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistency in a way that works for you. If daily writing isn’t realistic, here are a few approaches that might help:

1. Being a Weekend Warrior Writer

Sometimes, the best option is dedicating larger chunks of time on the weekends when your schedule allows. If weekdays are packed, don’t beat yourself up—plan for focused writing sprints when you have more energy.

2. Writing in Sprints

If finding big blocks of time is a challenge, writing in short bursts can add up. Even a few hundred words here and there can lead to real progress. A ten-minute sprint between tasks is better than nothing, and those small wins accumulate faster than you think.

3. Knowing When to Push and When to Pause

There’s a difference between laziness and genuine exhaustion. If you’re just procrastinating, pushing through might be the right move. But if you’re mentally drained, forcing words can backfire. Recognizing the difference is key.

At the end of the day, writing is a long game. Some days will be productive, others won’t. The important thing is to keep coming back to the page—but on your terms. Listen to your body, protect your creativity, and find a rhythm that works for you.

Because sometimes, being a weekend warrior writer is enough.

The Truth About Indie Bookstore Consignment: What Authors Should Know

For many small press and indie authors, seeing their books on the shelves of a bookstore feels like a dream come true. It offers legitimacy, visibility, and a sense of accomplishment. But beneath the surface, the reality of consignment programs at indie bookstores can be far more complicated—and not always in favor of the author.

If you’re considering consignment, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Not all indie bookstores treat authors equally, and the experience can vary widely depending on how the store operates and how they view their consignment authors. While some bookstores are supportive, communicative, and fair, others make the process more difficult than it’s worth.

The Pay-to-Play Reality

From personal experience, I’ve seen how consignment can be more of a financial burden than a benefit. Despite selling books, I encountered poor communication and dismissive treatment, making it clear that not all bookstores value their consignment authors equally.

One of the biggest misconceptions about bookstore consignment is that it’s an opportunity where both the author and the store benefit equally. But the truth is, most consignment programs require authors to pay upfront fees just to have their books stocked. Unlike traditionally stocked books—where bookstores purchase copies from a distributor—consignment authors bear the financial risk themselves.

This means you’re paying to be on the shelf, with no guarantee of sales. The bookstore gets the benefit of carrying your book at no financial risk to them, and in many cases, they take a significant percentage of each sale (often 40–50%). When you add in printing costs, consignment fees, and the effort it takes to promote your book, many authors end up losing money rather than making it.

Communication: The Make-or-Break Factor

In my case, emails went unanswered for months, and when I did receive responses, they were often curt or unhelpful. Unfortunately, this lack of communication isn’t uncommon, and many authors find themselves struggling to get basic updates on their book sales.

One of the most frustrating aspects of consignment programs can be the lack of communication from bookstore staff. Ideally, stores should be responsive, professional, and transparent about how the program works, how often sales are tracked, and when payments are made. But that’s not always the case.

Many authors find themselves constantly chasing down responses, waiting weeks (or even months) for emails to be answered, and struggling to get clear information about their book sales. Worse, some stores fail to notify authors when books have sold out, leaving potential sales on the table.

It’s also worth noting that established authors—who don’t have to pay to have their books stocked—often receive far better treatment than those in the consignment program. The divide between consignment authors and traditionally stocked authors can be glaring, with the latter receiving marketing support, better placement in the store, and staff who are more engaged.

The Question of Respect: How Are You Treated?

Beyond communication, one of the biggest red flags to watch for is how the bookstore staff treats consignment authors. Some bookstores see indie authors as valuable contributors to the literary community. Others, unfortunately, view consignment as a cash grab—a way to make money off of hopeful authors without offering much in return.

If you’re constantly met with rude, dismissive, or unhelpful responses, it’s a sign that the bookstore doesn’t value your work the way they should. It’s frustrating when an author is paying to be part of a program but isn’t treated with the same professionalism and respect as authors who are traditionally stocked.

Is It Worth It? Weighing the Pros & Cons

At the end of the day, every author must decide if consignment is worth the effort and expense. While there are some benefits—such as having a local presence, being part of bookstore events, and potentially reaching new readers—the financial and emotional cost can outweigh the reward if the experience is negative.

Before agreeing to a consignment program, ask yourself:

• Does the bookstore communicate clearly and professionally?
• Do they have a good reputation among other indie authors?
• How much will I realistically make after fees and commissions?
• Will my book actually be visible and promoted, or will it just sit on a shelf?
• Am I okay with the fact that I’m paying to be in the store while traditionally stocked authors are not?

Final Thoughts

Indie bookstores are an important part of the literary world, and many do incredible work supporting authors. However, not all consignment programs are created equal. If you’re paying more to have your book stocked than you’re making in sales, it’s time to reconsider if the visibility is worth it.

Choose bookstores that respect indie authors, communicate well, and provide real value for your investment. If a bookstore treats consignment authors as an afterthought—or worse, as a burden—it’s perfectly okay to walk away and focus on selling your books elsewhere.

Small-press, indie, and self-published authors already work hard enough. You deserve partnerships that uplift, not diminish, your success.

How to Write Morally Gray Characters That Readers Love—and Hate

When we talk about morally gray characters, we’re talking about the ones who don’t fit neatly into categories of hero or villain. They are complex, flawed, sometimes ruthless, and often capable of both great harm and great good. Readers are drawn to them not because they are perfect, but because they feel real—and let’s be honest, we’re all a little morally gray ourselves.

But here’s something I’ve noticed: gender plays a huge role in how morally gray characters are perceived.

Pushing Past Gender Norms in Morally Gray Characters

A male antihero is often seen as a brooding, tormented figure—think Walter White (Breaking Bad), Dexter Morgan (Dexter), or Jax Teller (Sons of Anarchy). They can be killers, criminals, or deeply flawed individuals, yet they are still idolized, dissected, and even rooted for.

Meanwhile, a female antihero often faces a different reaction. When women are ruthless or morally ambiguous, they’re more likely to be labeled as “cold,” “calculating,” or just plain “bitchy.” Think of Villanelle from Killing Eve, Amy Dunne from Gone Girl, or even Von Schlange in The Serpent Woman—they don’t get the same leeway as their male counterparts.

But here’s the truth: antiheroes are not limited by gender. Neither are weaknesses. A man can be the more emotional, vulnerable character while a woman can be the ruthless, brutal one—and neither choice is wrong. The best morally gray characters push past these outdated roles and exist as full, contradictory, three-dimensional humans.

The Core of Morally Gray Characters: Contradictions Make Us Human

If you want to write a compelling morally gray character, you have to dig deep and acknowledge something uncomfortable: we are all morally gray.

• A person can go to church every Sunday and live a double life full of sin.
• Someone can be deeply compassionate but capable of extreme violence when pushed.
• We might believe in justice while bending the law to get it.
• A devoted parent could also struggle with addiction.
• A person can despise liars yet lie to protect someone they love.

Contradictions are what make people real, and they are what make characters compelling.

The best antiheroes (and villains) wrestle with their own darkness. It’s not just about making them “do bad things”—it’s about why they do them. Are they driven by revenge? Survival? A warped sense of justice? Is their weakness their humanity or their lack of it?

How to Write a Morally Gray Character Readers Can’t Ignore

1. Give them a moral code—even if it’s twisted.
• Morally gray characters aren’t villains without purpose. They believe in something—even if that “something” is deeply flawed.
• Example: Von Schlange in The Serpent Woman delivers her own form of justice. It may be brutal, but in her eyes, it is righteous.

2. Make them contradictory—but consistent.
• Readers should see them struggle with their choices. If they kill without hesitation in one scene but hesitate in another, there should be a reason.
• Example: Maybe your assassin spares a child because they see themselves in them—but kills a witness without blinking.

3. Push past gender roles.
• Let women be ruthless and unrepentant.
• Let men be emotionally vulnerable or even the "weaker" character.
• Let characters be fluid—morality, gender, and roles don’t have to be confined to boxes.

4. Make their darkness understandable.
• Readers don’t have to agree with them, but they should understand them.
• Show their past, their struggles, and the reasons behind their choices.

5. Let them evolve—or self-destruct.
• Will they become darker over time?
• Will they try (and fail) to redeem themselves?
• Will they embrace their darkness completely?

Final Thought: We’re All Morally Gray

If you really think about it, even the saintliest humans have contradictions. We all make selfish choices, we all justify things in our own heads, we all have moments of cruelty, weakness, and moral compromise. That’s why morally gray characters resonate—because they mirror us.

So, when you write your next morally gray character, ask yourself:

💭 What contradictions define them?

💭 What battles do they fight within themselves?

💭 What will make readers love—and hate—them?

The best characters aren’t black and white. They live in the messy, complicated, morally gray middle. And that’s exactly what makes them unforgettable.

Why Beta Readers Deserve Your Best Draft

There’s a common debate in the #writingcommunity: Can beta readers be given any draft, from the first to the final? Some argue that beta readers should see a work-in-progress, no matter how rough.

I disagree.

Beta readers aren’t there to wade through an unpolished mess—they’re there to provide valuable reader insight. And the quality of their feedback depends on the quality of the draft they receive. If you want useful, insightful responses, you need to give them a draft that’s already been cleaned up. Here’s why:

Alpha vs. Beta Readers Serve Different Roles

Alpha readers are for the rough draft stage. They’re often critique partners or trusted early readers who help spot big-picture issues—plot holes, character inconsistencies, and structural problems. Their feedback is broad and developmental.

Beta readers, on the other hand, serve as test readers. They’re there to experience the story as a future audience would, evaluating its flow, pacing, clarity, and engagement. If the draft is too messy, they’ll get distracted by the wrong things.

Beta Readers Need a Clean Draft

Handing beta readers a first draft filled with plot holes, clunky sentences, and typos is like giving someone a meal with half-cooked ingredients and asking for a restaurant review. They won’t be able to focus on the flavors—they’ll be too busy wondering why the chicken is still raw.

A clean draft doesn’t mean perfect, but it should be something you’ve revised multiple times. If you send them something riddled with problems, their feedback will focus on fixing the basics rather than providing deeper insights into the reader’s experience.

High-Quality Feedback Requires a High-Quality Draft

Beta readers aren’t editors. Their job isn’t to fix your book; it’s to react to it. If they’re too distracted by typos or confusing sentence structure, they can’t give meaningful feedback on character arcs, emotional impact, or narrative tension.

The more polished your draft, the more useful their insights will be. A beta reader should be able to tell you, “This twist didn’t land for me” or “I lost interest in this chapter”, rather than “I couldn’t get past all the grammar issues”.

Respect Your Beta Readers’ Time

Most beta readers are volunteers. They’re taking time out of their day to help you refine your book. Sending them a messy draft that you haven’t even read through yourself is not only disrespectful—it’s counterproductive.

Beta readers should feel engaged with the story, not bogged down by basic writing issues. If they’re slogging through a draft filled with problems you could’ve fixed yourself, they might not want to read for you again.

Beta Readers Are Not Free Developmental Editors

At the end of the day, beta readers are doing you a favor. Their feedback is incredibly valuable, but only if they’re able to focus on what really matters. If you want meaningful responses, don’t treat them like unpaid editors.

Give them a draft that’s already gone through multiple self-edits. Make it as clean as possible. Then, when they offer feedback, you’ll know you’re getting genuine reader reactions—not just notes on things you should’ve fixed yourself.

Why Redundancy Is the Enemy of Great Writing (And How to Spot It)

As writers, we pour our hearts into our drafts, carefully crafting sentences that bring our ideas to life. But let’s be honest—sometimes we get a little too comfortable with certain words or phrases, and they sneak their way into our work more often than we’d like. It’s natural. We all have our favorite words or “safe” phrases that we lean on, but in the editing phase, they can become glaring distractions.

So, what’s the big deal about redundancy?

Why Redundancy Can Hurt Your Writing

When a word or phrase pops up repeatedly, it can dull the reader’s experience. Instead of focusing on the story or message, they might start noticing the repetition, pulling them out of the moment. It’s like listening to a song on repeat—it might be great the first few times, but eventually, it loses its charm.

Reducing redundancy isn’t just about cutting words—it’s about making your writing sharper, more intentional, and ultimately more enjoyable to read.

How to Spot Redundant Words

The first step to tackling redundancy is awareness. During the editing phase, take note of any words, phrases, or sentence structures that seem to repeat too often. Here are some common culprits:

• Adverbs and fillers: Words like "really," "very," and "just" often sneak in unnecessarily.
• Character actions: Does every character “smile” or “nod” in every other scene?
• Descriptive phrases: Are you describing the same object or emotion in similar ways throughout the text?

The Search Trick That Saves Time

One simple and effective way to spot overused words is to do a quick search in your document. Most writing software has a “find” feature (Ctrl+F or Command+F) that can help you pinpoint where these words appear. If you notice certain words cropping up repeatedly, it’s time to make some decisions:

1. Can the word be replaced with a synonym?
2. Can it be cut altogether without changing the meaning of the sentence?
3. Does its repetition serve a purpose (e.g., emphasizing a theme or mood)?

A Clean Draft Is a Powerful Draft

Editing isn’t about stripping your writing of its personality—it’s about amplifying its impact. When you reduce redundancy, you make room for your unique voice to shine. You create a reading experience that feels intentional and seamless, drawing your audience deeper into your story or message.

So, the next time you’re in the editing phase, take a moment to search for those sneaky repeat offenders. Your readers (and your future self) will thank you for it.

Remember: A clean draft doesn’t just happen—it’s built, one intentional edit at a time.