A WIRRAL author's "rollercoaster journey of living with breast cancer" is the inspiration for her latest novel.

After Estelle Maher was diagnosed in March last year she kept a diary as a way of coming to terms with her own emotions.

The resulting book - The Killing of Tracey Titmass - is based on those diary entries.

It re-tells Estelle's experiences of living with cancer, through fictional character Jo Kearns.

Estelle, from Prenton, will host a Q&A session on Facebook to launch the book on Thursday, October 29. The plan was to hold an event at Write Blend book shop in Liverpool but, due to tighter local restrictions, this will now take place during the Facebook session, starting at 8pm.

The event coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The book is both humorous and poignant and Estelle, who won awards for her debut novel Grace and The Ghost, hopes it will help others suffering from the disease.

She said: "I want people to read it and not feel isolated.

"Many of the emotions you experience through something like this are normal and I want people to know they're not on their own. Cancer never really goes away.

"It doesn't define you but it does become a part of your identity and learning to live with that and cope with life afterwards is an important part of the message."

On turning her experiences into a book, Estelle added: "It helped to stop my head feeling so fizzy and was to some extent, medicinal.

"I hadn't planned on turning it into a book but then friends suggested that it might help others going through a similar experience."

During the virtual launch on October 29, Estelle will be interviewed by Bob Stone, owner of independent book store Write Blend in Liverpool.

Fans will get the chance to ask Estelle about her writing, books and her own experiences of living with cancer to help raise greater awareness of the disease.

To watch and take part in the virtual book launch visit https://rb.gy/ta1rio to register your interest.

The Killing of Tracey Titmass is published by Southport-based publisher Beaten Track Publishing and will be available to purchase from Write Blend and also online at Amazon.