NEWS
April 2024
Bookshop Signings
Thank you to Bounce Marketing for arranging I do a trio of book signing visits at three of my favourite local independent bookshops last month. I loved calling into the newly expanded
Pritchards, in Crosby, the wonderfully cosy Broadhursts in Southport and the treasure trove Tell Tale Books in Padgate, Warrington. It was lovely chatting to Angie and Mitch, Gill and Monica and Les and I treated myself to some new books. There are signed copies of my books now available in all three shops.
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SCBWI article on working with UCLan MA Publishing students
I have written an article for the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators British Isles Words & Pictures online magazine about how UCLan Publishing teams up it's authors with MA Publishing students.
FCBG Blog
I was delighted to be asked to write an article for the Federation of Children's Book Groups blog giving an insight into my Gracie Fairshaw mystery series and how my northern working class background influences my writing.
What's Your Story, Chorley 2024
It has been a real honour to support What's Your Story, Chorley book festival again this year. As well as my 12 school visits - I attended the prize giving for the writing competition winners at Chorley Central Library with two more special guests Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House, and Cllr Tommy Gray, Mayor of Chorley and volunteer organiser Mandy Howarth.
I was also excited to deliver a writing for newspapers workshop for The Parish of St Lawrence CE, Chorley, Year 4s who looked at old copies of the Blackpool Gazette to come up with story ideas.
Then on What's Your Story, Chorley Day I visited Ebb and Flo Bookshop for their Mini Booky Extravaganza with a host of amazing illustrators, poets and authors - Kerri Cunningham (Murphy's Sketches), Genevieve Aspinall, (pictured with me) Liz Flanagan, Jen Carney and Dom Conlon for a day of book pitching and other fun.
I also delivered a storyboarding workshop later that day, at Central Library. I was so impressed by the work created which you can see below!
March 2024
Publication day celebration
To celebrate the launch of Gracie Fairshaw and the Missing Reel which was published on World Book Day, I teamed up with National Literacy Trust, Blackpool for a special author visit to Gateway Academy in Blackpool. I delivered a talk to Year 5 and 6 in the hall, then answered questions about being an author. After break, I did a writing workshop with Year 6, who used storyboarding techniques to create short stories.
Third review for Gracie Fairshaw and the Missing Reel
Mrs Sydney's Famous World Smallest Library blog has posted a lovely review of Gracie Fairshaw and the Missing Reel, describing it as "a gentle mystery perfect for fans of Robin Stevens’s Murder Most Unladylike books." She also says: "The third in the series, this is my first encounter with Gracie and I’m hoping it won’t be the last. This works perfectly well as a standalone read and is a story that confident readers in Year 4 upwards will really enjoy."
Pam
Second review for Gracie Fairshaw and the Missing Reel
Thank you to Pam Norfolk for her generous review on her book blog Book-marked. Pam writes: "Susan Brownrigg ... fills her stories with such rich authentic detail and beautifully drawn characters that you can almost taste the fish and chips, smell the sea salt in the air and hear the trams rolling down the promenade... One of the best children’s mystery series currently on the shelves." You can read the full review HERE
Time Tunnellers - the history of cinema
This month on the Time Tunnellers YouTube channel I am looking at the History of Cinema and how it inspired Gracie Fairshaw and the Missing Reel. Learn about film strips, zoetropes, clapperboys and northern starlets - plus there's another writing challenge!
You can view the video below or by CLICKING HERE
The accompanying blog is AVAILABLE BY CLICKING HERE
World Book Day 2024 video
To celebrate World Book Day - the Time Tunnellers have recorded a special video looking at the history of children's books. I am covering the 1920s to the 1930s. I hope you enjoy watching!
Signed copies of Missing Reel available now
You can now buy signed copies of Gracie Fairshaw and the Missing Reel via the fantastic Ebb and Flo bookshop.
To order your copy CLICK ON THIS LINK you can also ask for the book to be personalised and I will add the name as well as signing it.
Books will be sent out after publication day - Thursday March 7th 2024.
I will also be visiting Pritchards Bookshop in Crosby and Broadhursts bookshop in Southport in late March to sign copies of my book too - more details to follow nearer the time.
What's Your Story, Chorley festival appearance
I will be taking part in What's Your Story, Chorley festival on Saturday 23rd March. I will be doing a writing workshop using movie storyboards. The children's events take place at Chorley Library between 11am and 4pm and authors participating include Jen Carney and Liz Flanagan. My friend, poet Dom Conlon will be appearing at Chorley Theatre.
You can also do a trail, looking for beautiful book benches which have been hand painted by schools, nurseries and community groups.
What's Your Story, Chorley? is organised by a group of dedicated volunteers and Chorley Council.
February 2024
First review for Gracie Fairshaw and the Missing Reel
Thank you to Veronica Price for her lovely review on her book blog V's Views from the Bookshelves.
She says: "Gracie Fairshaw and the Missing Reel is a wonderful example of historical cosy crime, written for a middle grade audience. Author, Susan Brownrigg, has clearly researched Blackpool and the film industry of the 1930s in meticulous detail and seamlessly integrates her knowledge of the period into a story that feels totally grounded in its place and time."
You can read the rest of her review HERE
Visit to Holland Moor Primary
I had a lovely time at Holland Moor Primary School, Skelmersdale to talk to pupils about my journey to publication.
The pupils watched my powerpoint presentation and then asked me a series of questions about being an author.
My visit was part of a prize for student Faye who won the About the Town Young Writers Competition.
Faye also won a signed set of my books including a special preview copy of Gracie Fairshaw and the Missing Reel which is not yet available to buy.
Congratulations to Faye on her prize winning story!
I am pictured here with some of the pupils who purchased books on the day which I also signed and personalised for them.
January 2024
What's Your Story, Chorley schools author tour
I am thrilled to be supporting the organisers of the fabulous What's Your Story, Chorley, by promoting their schools writing competition and book festival this year, with a 12 school author tour. I have visited Adlington Primary, St Paul's Adlington, St James, Chorley, St Bede's Primary, Clayton Green, Manor Road Primary, Clayton-le-Woods, Eccleston Primary, Coppull Parish, Coppull Primary, Buckshaw Primary, Parklands High, St Peter's CE, Abbey Village.
As well as telling them all about WYSC, I talked about my Gracie Fairshaw series and the inspiration behind my detective books.
Schools were also sent a workshop video from me to help them prepare their Read All About It themed entries.
Thanks to volunteers Mandy, Linda and Sylvia for supporting my author visits and Chorley Council for financial support.