She’s one of the most famous names in the world of young adult fiction. But Peterhead’s Estelle Maskame has talked about her “bittersweet” feelings as her latest book has been enjoyed by readers this summer.
The 19-year-old former supermarket worker burst into the spotlight after building up a global audience for her online novels. But her life has changed dramatically since Ms Maskame signed a publishing deal at the end of 2014.
As the person behind the DIMILY trilogy, the teenager admitted she was initially unprepared for all the publicity she would attract, following the launch of Did I Mention I Love You? and Did I Mention I Need You? last summer.
Speaking to her ahead of the build-up to the release of the climactic book – Did I Mention I Miss You? – the north-east writer revealed she is at ease with the fact she is a professional author.
She said: “I’m living the dream at the moment and, although this is what I set out to do when I began writing at school, I never imagined things would work out the way they have.
“It has been mindblowing, and I still pinch myself when I see my books translated into so many languages [across 12 different territories].
“I’ve been to The Netherlands, Finland, Germany, Spain and the reception has been fantastic from my fans. I was in Madrid for a signing event and there were scores of people queuing up outside before it even started, which was both incredible and cool.
“Most of my readers are teenagers or in their early 20s, but there have been a lot of people of all ages who have taken the books to their hearts.
“At first, I couldn’t quite believe they were there to see me and it took a bit of getting used to. But [her publishers] Black and White have been behind me every step of the way and have helped me on every stage of the journey.”
The series might have reached its natural conclusion and Ms Maskame has revealed she has no plans to go further with the DIMILY characters, but her many fans needn’t be concerned.
She added: “It’s weird, because I’ve been writing about these people for the last five years and I have an affinity with them, so it does feel a little bittersweet, but the story is finished.
“However, I have already started work on a new novel and I am committed to making it as good as I can. That is the major change in my life: I am doing this full-time and it is a lot of hard work.
“But it is also incredibly exciting and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Published by Black & White
