and watching vlogs by people with limb difference. This has helped me to consider and appreciate how Gracie might approach everyday tasks.”


Susan’s great grandfather.


were switched on by Audrey Mosson, a 15-year-old Blackpool girl, I knew I wanted to set my adventure then. This September saw the 85th anniversary of Audrey pressing the Switch-on button.” And while Blackpool has a starring role in the book, the hero is definitely Gracie, who has a congenital limb difference. This too has been influenced by Susan’s own experience. She says: “My mum is disabled, she has a progressive spinal condition and I have seen how she is sometimes treated differently now she uses a wheelchair.


“I knew I wanted to write about a main character with a visible disability. My great grandfather had limb difference, he had his left forearm amputated after a shrapnel injury received in World War One so I decided that Gracie would have the same limb difference. I did briefly consider if Gracie’s disability should be the result of working in a mill – I used to work at Quarry Bank Mill and was aware of the awful accidents that children could have.


“However, I didn’t want the focus of my story to be on Gracie adapting to her disability. I wanted instead to show how disability is just part of who she is. I wanted the story to show how able she is and for the focus to be on how great she is at spotting clues and solving mysteries.” Despite the focus of the story firmly resting on the adventure and mystery of Ma’s disappearance, Susan also wanted to show “a range of reactions to Gracie. Some characters make assumptions about Gracie because of her limb difference, and some are thoughtless in their comment. Language and attitudes around disability has changed over time but discrimination is still, sadly a problem.” Susan adds: “I have felt a huge responsibility


to get things right, especially regarding Gracie’s limb difference. I appreciate that everybody’s life experiences are different, and I have tried to learn as much as I can by reading personal accounts


22 PEN&INC. Autumn-Winter 2020


And that responsibility also stretches to Blackpool, and her research of both the town and era threw up some surprises. “I have spent a lot of time in Blackpool following in Gracie’s footsteps,” Susan says. “Luckily many of the places Gracie visits still exist today. I’ve been on the same rides, travelled on a heritage tram, listened to the Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer and watched the Switch-On. I’ve also eaten chips and gravy on the prom and nibbled on pink sticks of rock. “One of my essential sources has been the Blackpool Gazette, I have spent hours scouring back issues on a microfiche reader at the History Centre in Blackpool’s Central Library. “The nicest research surprise was discovering that Audrey Mosson’s Railway Queen gown and tiara was being displayed in a temporary exhibition in Leeds. I felt a real frisson of excitement when I saw her outfit up close. It was such a visceral link to the past.”


That link to Blackpool stretches beyond the pages of the book, as Susan explains.


“I was thrilled to launch Gracie in partnership with Get Blackpool Reading, who promote reading for pleasure among children and families. I created three detective trail videos to encourage families to explore Blackpool’s history. I am keen to develop further relationships within the Blackpool community, especially with schools and libraries.”


That relationship with the town, the north and Gracie’s place in it has struck a chord with readers, according to Susan. She says: “It has been lovely having so many people say how much they enjoyed reading Gracie. Many have commented that they felt Gracie’s disability was handled positively. There is definitely a desire for children’s books with main characters with a disability, and fortunately the number of titles is rising.


“Readers have also shared their love of Blackpool with me, it has been surprising how many people have fond memories of daytrips or who have a connection to the town. I am especially chuffed that people have asked if there will be a sequel.”


Fortunately for fans of Gracie, Susan The author with Audrey Mosson’s Railway Queen gown.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56