Irina Semikop's Blog

This morning I opened Amazon, blinked twice… and smiled for real.
Voluntary Pain hit #1 Top New Release in its category. A week ago I wrote about the ups and downs of being an indie author; seeing this badge after all those waves feels a little unreal.

Thank you for every message, share, and rating. You made this happen.
If you’ve read the book, a short review here on Goodreads helps more than you can imagine.
And if you’re just discovering it now – welcome. I hope it finds you at the right moment. 🤎

It’s been one week since Voluntary Pain stepped into the world, and it already feels like a small lifetime. In seven days I’ve seen a little bit of everything: the book reached #2 in Amazon’s Domestic Thrillers, then slipped, then climbed again. Turns out, Amazon sales are a moving ocean – beautiful, unpredictable, and not exactly easy to navigate.

What I learned (or, rather, confirmed): being an indie author is a brave, complicated marathon. Getting a book in front of readers without a publisher’s machinery takes time, resources, and a lot of stubborn love. You can have a product you’re truly proud of – and still, the path is long. That’s okay. Some roads are worth walking precisely because they’re not simple.

I’m grateful for every message, every share, every “I couldn’t put it down.” You made this first week unforgettable. If you’ve already read the book, a short rating or a few lines here on Goodreads means more than you know. And if you’re just discovering it now – welcome. I hope this story finds you at the right moment.

Here’s to patience, to craft, and to the readers who make it all possible. I’m staying on this road. Thank you for walking it with me. 🤎

The Story Has Begun ✨
Voluntary pain

Voluntary Pain is officially out today.
Dark secrets, blurred truths, and a city that never sleeps — step inside and see where it takes you.

➡ Get your copy on Amazon

Voluntary pain

When people ask me what Voluntary Pain is like, I usually say: imagine a modern noir series, only on paper. City nights, complex characters, blurred truths, and the kind of atmosphere that pulls you in until you feel like you’re watching “just one more episode.”

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll find inside:

A female detective at the center — sharp, flawed, and impossible to ignore.
Toxic relationships that twist tighter than the case itself.
A blurred line between truth and perception.
The pulse of a modern metropolis — shiny on the surface, restless underneath.
Workplace tension (yes, even detectives have office drama).
Dialogues with a touch of sarcasm — because sometimes humor is the only way to survive heavy truths.
And twists that come when you least expect them.

This isn’t a book of car chases and constant explosions. It’s a story that leans into atmosphere, detail, and character — the kind that feels cinematic and lingers after the last page.

If that sounds like your kind of story, welcome to Voluntary Pain. And if you’re still not sure — step inside anyway. Sometimes the books we don’t expect end up staying with us the longest. ✨

Voluntary pain

My emotions didn’t survive the day – I had to take a walk in the woods just to breathe a little 🌿

So many of you have been writing to me lately – on Facebook, TikTok, even by email, and I’m honestly amazed. I take criticism calmly (trust me, after my internship at the prosecutor’s office it’s pretty hard to break me 😂). But here’s the truth: I struggle much more with your praise. Part of me still doesn’t quite believe it.

But you keep sending me such kind messages, and maybe it’s time I admit this book really does resonate with many of you. Of course, not with everyone (and that’s perfectly normal!), but still, it means the world to me.

And now to the actual point of this post (because clearly I talk as much as I write 😅): I got my very first author copies today! And this cover… honestly, I’m in love. Soon I’ll show you the back as well – it’s something unusual, and yes, the whole concept was my idea. For once, I’ll allow myself to say: I’m proud✨

If I had to describe what this blog will be about… well, probably the same way I’d describe my book: a little bit of everything 😅

Voluntary Pain (coming September 25) isn’t just about a murder investigation. It has drama, relationships, psychology, and the messy human side of secrets. And I guess that’s exactly what you’ll find here too – in a different form, of course.

Some days I’ll share bits of inspiration or behind-the-scenes from writing. Other times it might be thoughts about this book, hints about the next one, or just random reflections I feel like putting into words. Maybe even a piece of advice or two, though let’s be honest – I’m still figuring it all out myself.

So yes, this blog will be a mix. But maybe that’s what makes it interesting. I’m glad you’re here to see where it goes 🤎