April 2025
Radio Merseyside interview
It was lovely to chat to Tony Snell on BBC Merseyside about my book Wrong Tracks and the Rainhill Trials. Thanks to Claire Minter for helping with the tech!
Tony is passionate about local history and is an advocate of reading too.
Visits to schools with Urmston Books
I was chuffed to be invited to make two World Book Day author visits in partnership with Urmston Books. I spoke to Flixton Primary School (pictured) and Barton Clough Primary School about Wrong Track. The children were brilliant and I was made very welcome.
Jo from the bookshop really looked after me and kindly treated me to a delicious lunch between sessions.
World Book Day
I had a fabulous World Book Day at Oldham Library talking to two Year 5 class pupils from St Hilda’s CE School about Kintana and the Captain’s Curse, pirates, lemurs and Madagascar! Pupils drew their own treasure maps as a story prompt and created a group story about a pirate and a pirate hunter. It was such a fun day and the children’s ideas were brilliant.
Book Trust article
I was delighted to be asked to write an article for Book Trust about how to use children’s books to inspire a passion for local history in the classroom. You can read my article here.
Halton Libraries WBD event
I had a splendid morning at Ditton Library as part of Halton Libraries World Book Day events. I spoke to Oakdene Primary pupils about Wrong Tracks and they enjoyed guessing the livery colours of the steam engines that competed at the Rainhill Trials and colouring in their own versions, as well as asking questions about being an author.
Wigan Waterstones
It was a real honour to be invited to do a small author event at Wigan Waterstones.
Wigan is my hometown so I was delighted to meet local children and to tell them about my book, Wrong Tracks. They also got to colour in images of the Rainhill Trials engines, illustrated and created by the brilliant Jenny Czerwonka!
Some friends and family even called in to say hello which was an unexpected treat.
Visit to Bridgewater High
As part of World Book Day week I delivered talks to pupils at Bridgewater High Lower School in their gorgeous library. I spoke to Year 7 and 8 pupils about Wrong Tracks and the importance of railways to the industrial revolution and answered questions about being an author. I also signed copies of my books which pupils could purchase on the day thanks to the brilliant Tell Tales Books from Padgate, Warrington.
Visit to St Helens Book Stop
I enjoyed meeting readers of all ages at St Helens Book Stop recently when I was invited to do a small signing event for Wrong Tracks. The shop on Bridge Street has been very supportive of my Rainhill Trials book and can arrange author visits.
March 2025
Steven Kenyon (Teaching and learning Consultant in Primary English and History) will be joined by David Brookhouse and John Meredith (Heritage Learning Lancashire Managers) and Lancashire Historical Fiction Author, Susan Brownrigg, for this exciting, immersive full-day course.
Delegates will get the chance to meet 'Olaf the Viking' and hear his stories of Viking raids. They will learn about the Silverdale Hoard and have the opportunity to create their own claims and accounts (stories) about the past.
Using a range of local artefacts and excerpts from her mystery novels, Susan Brownrigg will share how she has turned her passion for Lancashire into popular historical novels for children. Steven will be drawing everything together to help delegates grasp how to enrich and deepen their pupils' historical knowledge through work around stories and storytelling within the history curriculum.
I am delighted to be joining forces with Lancashire Professional Development Service for a new Reading and Storytelling in Primary History course which is now taking bookings.
Friday 23rd May, Leyland.
The one day course is suitable for: Subject Leaders, Teachers, ECTs, LTA
Course for teachers
Wigan Waterstones event
I will be celebrating the release of the next adventure from Susan Brownrigg, Wrong Tracks at Waterstones in Wigan!
I will be there for Storytime, Historical Dress-up and Crafts between 11am and 2pm on Saturday 8th March.
Storytime will be held at 11:30am and 1:30pm
Wrong Tracks is based of the life of a boy from Wigan and his experience in the Rainhill Trails.
Book signing at St Helens Book Stop
Thank you The Book Stop, St Helens for inviting me to their shop for a reading & signing of my latest children's novel, Wrong Tracks!
Manager, Nik Lowe said: “This wonderful story follows a group of children in the year 1829 as they try to uncover the mystery of the Rainhill Trials and who might be trying to sabotage the event Wrong Tracks is perfect for children aged 8 - 13 as well as adults & is full of local St Helens history!”
February 2025
Book of the Day
Wrong Tracks has been chosen as #BookOfTheDay by BookTrust. They described the mystery as a gripping mystery packed with historical detail…and lots of twists and turns too!
Mostly Book Talk podcast
Episode 20 of Mostly Book Talk is now available. I am talking about my new book, Wrong Tracks, which is inspired by the true story of the Rainhill Trials of steam engines on the Liverpool & Manchester Railway.
Alison and Katy also to talk to Hazel Holmes, Publisher at UCLan about the importance of regional voices and regional publishing and find out about the UCLan MA Publishing course.
Northern Soul article
Thanks to Helen Nugent at Northern Soul for featuring an article about Wrong Tracks in their editor’s picks. Northern Soul is a webzine written in the North of England. It is a celebration of culture and enterprise, from theatre, music, authors and art to heritage, small businesses, food and leading figures, as well as everything in-between.You can read the article by clicking here.
Northern Life Magazine round-up
Thanks to Northern Life Magazine for including Wrong Tracks in their round up of best northern books to read in spring!
The Trainhill Trust donates Wrong Tracks books
Children from four of our Rainhill primary schools received a personalised signed copy of Wrong Tracks, a new mystery inspired by the Rainhill Trials for ages 9+, for their school library.
The books were donated by Trainhill Trust CIC who are the local organisation working to bring the Rainhill Trials Exhibition back home to its very own museum within the vacant side of Rainhill station building.
The Chair of Trainhill Trust, Joanne Woodhouse, said: "What a fabulous way for our children to meet the author of an amazing story that links into our history and heritage from nearly 200 years ago. Not only is it an wonderful read for our school children, but I can't put it down, either. I just love how cheeky Edward is, but don't worry, I won't give too much away, but you must go and read it!"
To bring the book's setting to life, Susan brought two beautiful handmade costumes for the children to try on.
The 1829 style costumes replicate what Edward and Prudence wear in the book and have been handmade by the world famous Ironbridge museum in Shropshire.
First to receive their signed copy are St Bartholomew's Catholic Primary, Oakdene Primary, St Ann's Primary and Longton Lane Primary.
Susan said: "Thank you to the Trainhill Trust for this generous donation. I am thrilled that Rainhill school children are the first to receive signed copies of a book which celebrates their local history.”
January 2025
Book of the month
Wrong Tracks has been chosen as February Book of the Month for ages 9+ by Love Reading4Kids. Reviewer Joanne Owen said: “Wrong Tracks is a rip-roaring ride of historic fiction. A thrilling, characterful, well-plotted adventure story that reels with subterfuge and sabotage, it also brilliantly evokes the energy and sweeping changes engendered by the industrial era through the lens of its endearing — and daring — protagonist, Edward Entwistle.”
You can read the review and order copies from LoveKids4Reading here.
5/5 review in Daily Telegraph
Wrong Tracks has received a FIVE STAR review in the Daily Telegraph. Children’s book reviewer Emily Bearn describes the book as joyous and praises the book’s desire to make children more aware of the Rainhill Trials and early railway history.
‘The trials were one of the most consequential events of the Industrial Age, determining how railways would develop for the next two centuries. But the modern child is unlikely even to have heard of them – which makes this thrilling new novel by Susan Brownrigg all the more welcome.’
She continues, ‘Brownrigg appears thoroughly at home in her historic milieu… But she wears her research lightly: there are no footnotes, and dates are kept to a minimum. Rather, the history lessons are delivered through the observations of our guileless, eagle-eyed narrator.’
The full review is available HERE - but you need a subscription to view it.
Tyldesley Creative Writers
I was pleased to be invited to speak to Tyldesley Creative Writers about my new book, Wrong Tracks. Also present were a couple of members of the Tyldesley Historical Society. Wrong Tracks is all about a boy, Edward Entwistle, a real boy from Tyldesley so I loved being invited to speak to a local community group about the inspiration behind my book.
You can find out more about Tyldesley Creative Writers on their facebook page here.
Thanks to everyone for making me so welcome.
Fun Kids Radio
I had a fab time talking to Bex from Fun Kids Radio about Wrong Tracks. You can listen to the Fun Kids Book Worms interview on the Fun Kids podcast - which has lots of interviews with amazing children’s authors. My episode also includes Bex chatting to authors Joel Arcanjo and Chris Packham
Amazon bestseller!
Thank you to everyone who bought a copy of Wrong Tracks! I was stunned to learn that it had risen to #2 in Amazon’s bestsellers for historical children’s books as a result. This seems to have resulted in a lack of stock with a long expected delivery time, but I am sure this will be back to normal when more books arrive at their warehouse.
Interview with The Trainhill Trust
On a recent visit to Rainhill, I was interviewed by the lovely Jo Woodhouse from The Trainhill Trust who are overseeing the relocation of the amazing Rainhill Trials exhibition. I visited the exhibition as part of my research for Wrong Tracks, and I am delighted that there are plans for it to be moved to Rainhill station. The Trainhill Trust are currently fundraising and looking for grants and sponsorship, so do get in touch with them to offer your support!
George Stephenson and his homes
To celebrate the publication of Wrong Tracks I am featuring on this week’s Time Tunnellers website and You Tube channel. Thanks to a Society of Authors foundation grant I was able to visit four of railway engineer George Stephenson’s homes as part of my research for the book.
There is a writing challenge at the end for schools and home educators and an accompanying downloadable free resource.
Parrot Street Book Club
Squawk! Squawk! Wrong Tracks has been chosen as Parrot Street Book Club's Cockatoo pick! (Cockatoos are aged 8 to 12.)
The book subscription service for children also asked me to feature on their blog talking about the inspiration behind Wrong Tracks.
Signed copies available at Ebb & Flo Bookshop
Lots of signed copies of Wrong Tracks available from ebb & flo bookshop in Chorley or via there online shop now!
Thanks to everyone who preordered a copy.
Wrong Tracks is perfect for mystery and steam train fans aged 9+
Choo choo!
#UKteenchat on Bluesky
I am thrilled to have been invited back to take part in #ukteenchat on Tuesday 14th January 8-9pm on Bluesky! UKTeenChat is now alternating between Bluesky and X depending on the author’s preference. I am really looking forward to talking about Wrong Tracks and chatting with Emma Finlayson-Palmer and everyone.
Wrong Tracks recommended by BookTrust
I am chuffed to see Wrong Tracks included as one of Booktrust's January recommended reads.
They kindly said: "This enthralling mystery contains a wealth of historical detail and touches on issues of the time, such as political unrest and opposition to the Rail Way. With plenty of twists and turns, it will keep readers guessing until the very end."
Wrong Tracks included in Reader Teacher’s round-up
Wrong Tracks features in the Reader Teacher’s round-up of new children’s books released in January.
Wrong Tracks is a top pick!
Bounce Marketing, who supply independent bookshops with books, have included Wrong Tracks in their January top picks! Big thanks in particular to rep, Louise Corcoran, who has been promoting my book to fabulous bookshops across the north!
Author Ally Sherrick recommends Wrong Tracks
Award-winning historical children’s book author, Ally Sherrick, has very kindly recommended Wrong Tracks with a five star review on her social media profiles.
Ally, whose new book Rebel Heart is out in March, said: “I loved this tale of sparky Edward Entwistle and his convention-defying friend, Prudence and their quest to find out who is trying to derail the attempts of their masters, Robert and George Stephenson to win the famous Rainhill Trials with their loco 'Rocket' and a contract to run the Liverpool-Manchester Rail Way into the bargain.
“Susan does a brilliant job of powering up the mystery and then keeping the excitement at full throttle while seamlessly weaving in fascinating true-life nuggets about the inventors, their strange and wonderful machines and what ordinary people made of these steam-belching monsters as they whizzed through the countryside.
”A great pick to support the Victorians and STEM subjects in schools. A must for all steam-train enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a ripping good yarn!”