May 2026
Wrong Tracks shortlisted
I am delighted to share that Wrong Tracks has been shortlisted for the Historic Association’s Young Quills award. The competition is for published historical fiction for children and young adults.
Their aim is to seek out books which:
Are a ‘good read’, engaging the imagination of the young reader
Have good historical content and factual information
Have history as a component of the story, not just a convenient backdrop or setting
Inspire young readers to find out more about that historical period or people.
Copies of the longlisted books are sent out to a number of schools for pupils to read and review, which helps the adult judges select the shortlist.
Wrong Tracks is one of six books shortlisted in the
8-11 years category from the original nominated 25 titles.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Autumn.
The Secret of Abney Hall
My debut historical mystery for adults will be published by Fox and Ink Books on 1st October! You can preorder signed copies from Bramhall, Stockport independent Simply Books!
https://www.simplybooks.co.uk/product/the-secret-of-abney-hall
Cheadle, near Manchester, December 1926.
Agatha Christie has been found. After a mysterious eleven-day disappearance, the world’s most famous crime writer is whisked away to Abney Hall to recover. But for her private nurse, Jane Goodbetter, the retreat is anything but peaceful.
As a local theatre troupe arrives to rehearse a macabre new play, the atmosphere turns sinister. Secrets are leaking to the press, and Jane’s own dark past at a wartime asylum threatens to surface. When a body is discovered in the freezing lake, and a blizzard traps everyone inside, the line between stagecraft and real-life murder blurs.
In a house full of actors, doctors, and a cheating husband, Jane must unmask the killer before the final curtain falls.
Book cover design Becky Chilcott. Illustrated by David Wardle
April 2026
LPDS Dr Sarah Moseley conference
It was a great pleasure to be invited to take part in the recent Lancashire Professional Development Service’s Dr Sarah Moseley Conference for English teachers marketplace at County Hall, Preston. I was able to share how my children’s books celebrate Lancashire history and are a usual asset for teachers looking for books that support both English and local history curriculums.
Thank you to Steven Kenyon for arranging for me to part of a great day.
March 2026
Masters Graduation
I was thrilled to attend my graduation ceremony at the beautiful Chester Cathedral to mark the awarding of my Masters of Art in Creative Writing: Writing and Publishing Fiction with distinction from the University of Chester.
Author talks at Clitheroe Castle
Pupils from Darwen Aldridge Sudell Academy enjoyed learning about the Rainhill Trials on World Book Day during a visit to Clitheroe Castle
Huge thanks to Community Rail Lancashire and Clitheroe Castle for arranging for pupils from several Lancashire schools to hear my Wrong Tracks/Rainhill Trials author talk as part of a funded project linked to the museum’s Tracks of Life photograph exhibition.
Some of the primary pupils walked to the castle, while others travelled by train, many for the first time. They also took part in a range of activities at the castle including a whistle stop tour of the museum, a rail safety talk, with
One of the talks coincided with World Book Day with pupils dressing up (pictured.)
February 2026
Haworth Art Gallery
Thank you to Community Rail Lancashire for funding a project where I have presented my Wrong Tracks author talk to children who were invited to visit the brilliant Forged in Steam photography exhibition at Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington.
Pupils from Woodnook Primary School, The Hollins secondary and St John Stonefold Primary all enjoyed learning about early railway history and trying on costume.
The Forged in Steam exhibition by the super talented Diane Muldowney includes stunning images of the Locomotion No1 replica and other heritage engines, workers and volunteers and is on show Wednesday to Sunday until 5th April 2026 and is part of the #Railway200 celebrations.
Entry to Haworth Art Gallery is free. The Gallery also showcases a spectacular collection of Tiffany Glass and I very much enjoyed learning about the different pieces and the link to Accrington. There is also a superb cafe on site.
Fun at the fun day
Another lovely project organised by Community Rail Lancashire that I was thrilled to be part of was the Railway Family Fun Day at Clitheroe Castle during February half term. As well as reading an extract from my book I was delighted to give children a free cut and fold engine designed by Wrong Tracks illustrator Jenny Czerwonka.
The event was really well attended with lots of activities for the children to enjoy including lino printing, cyanotype art, lego building and a colouring competition also designed by Jenny Czerwonka.
Photograph by Beth Nolan
This free event was part of the Tracks of Life: Trains, People and Places exhibition currently on display at the Castle’s Stewards Gallery. It was made possible with funding from the Department for Transport’s Community Rail Development Fund through the Community Rail Network and supported by the Clitheroe Castle Museum and Community Rail Lancashire.
Wellies and Words at Leigh Library
Photograph by Julie McKiernan
It was a pleasure to talk about Writing for Children and Getting Published to members of two writing groups - The Paperback Writers and The Wordsmiths - at Leigh Library.
The event was organised by Healthy Arts as part of their Wellies and Words series of workshops and open mic events.
I am delighted that Wrong Tracks has been included on two of their lists of recommended books, Books about Trains and Books set in the North of England.
BookTrust writes: ‘Northern England is rich in landscape, culture and history – and that has inspired some incredible stories. If you live in or are from the North (or just going for your holidays), you may be looking for books set there to share with your child. After all, a familiar location can help them relate to the story and feel a bigger connection. Here are just a few of our favourites for you to check out.’
Topic lists for Wrong Tracks
National Storytelling Week
It was a delight to talk to Year 4 pupils from Sacred Heart Primary about Wrong Tracks at Tyldesley Library during National Storytelling Week.
I was especially pleased to do this event not just because I’m a Wigan lass but because the main character in my book is based on a real boy from the town called Edward Entwistle.
Photograph courtesy of Sacred Heart Primary.
January 2026
Free workshop at Leigh Library
Healthy Arts are taking their Wellies and Words programme of events on tour to Leigh Library. I'll be delivering a FREE workshop for them on writing for children and getting published on Wednesday 25th February. 11am to 1pm.
Plus an Open Mic sharing event in the afternoon! Come and write, perform or just watch.
To book email juleswriter@hotmail.com
Railway Family Fun Day
I am chuffed to be taking part in a FREE railway themed family fun day at Clitheroe Castle Museum this February half term!
I will be reading from my book Wrong Tracks a historical mystery for ages 8+ about the Rainhill Trials.
The fun day poster pictured is by Lancashire artist Jenny Czerwonka who illustrated the cover for Wrong Tracks
(Published by Fox and Ink Books.)
Taking place on Monday 16 February. 12 noon –3.30pm. Celebrate 200 years of the modern railway with Community Rail Lancashire! Enjoy hands on activities, creative workshops and immersive railway heritage fun in their event space.
What’s on : Working model railway with Pendle Forest Model Railway Society. Children’s author Susan Brownrigg reads from Wrong Tracks. Train spotting game & prizes. Colouring competition (win a Family Weekend Explorer train ticket) Decorate a train wagon with community artist Gosha Gibek. Cyanotype and linocut printing with Dianne Muldowney. Selfie Station with railway hats & uniforms. Draw a platform selfie. LEGO trains with Clitheroe Library. Meet members of Ribble Valley Live Steamers. Tracks of Life exhibition celebrating railway photographer Ken Roberts
Free entry | Drop in activities | All ages welcome | No booking required
With thanks to Community Rail Lancashire, the Community Rail Development Fund, Department for Transport and Clitheroe Castle Museum.