First piece of new Scottish writing to be released simultaneously in print and in Braille

PRESS RELEASE

A NOVEL about the true story of the Clydebank Blitz has made history - by becoming the first piece of new Scottish writing to be released simultaneously in print and in Braille. Mavis’s Shoe, written by Glasgow author Sue Reid Sexton, will be released by Waverley Books on March 1. On the same date, thanks to collaboration with the Scottish Braille Press in Edinburgh it will also be available to Braille readers. First time author Sue Reid Sexton said she was: ‘delighted’ to know that blind readers would be among the first to enjoy her book. “I am very excited about it being in Braille.” The writer visited the Scottish Braille Press in February to meet some of the people working to transform her 432 page paperback novel into a six volume Braille edition. Allan Balfour - head editor and braillist - said he had really enjoyed reading the book - which is a fictional account of the devastating Clydebank Blitz of March 13 and 14, 1941. The novel recounts the events, which left hundreds dead and thousands homeless through the eyes of a child. Mr Balfour said: “It’s a good story and the character of the little girl is very believable. It is quite amazing to realise people had these experiences and how they came through them - reading about the number of houses destroyed and people homeless.” As a keen reader he also hopes the simultaneous publication in print and Braille will inspire other publishers to do the same. “I do find it frustrating when a book comes out and you have to wait to read it. It is wonderful to have a book coming out in Braille at the same time.” The connection between Waverley Books and the Scottish Braille Press, which is part of the Royal Blind charity, began with the Edinburgh Unesco City of Literature citywide reading campaign - which saw books published in as many different formats as possible. The collaboration has already led to the Braille publication of The Broons series of books - but this is the first time the project has been extended to new Scottish fiction. Ron Grosset of Waverley Books said: “It was a book everyone was really excited about. It is the sort of crossover book that can be enjoyed by teenage readers but also by adults. We have already had some interest from Poland - which has a connection to the Clydebank Blitz through the Polish destroyer Piorun - which was in the docks at the time.” John Donaldson, general manager of the Scottish Braille Press said: “Because of the co-operation of the publisher we were given an advance copy of the book in word format so the books could be published on the same day. “Normally we would have to wait until the book was published, remove the spine, scan the text and then start working on a Braille edition. “Unless we get the file format from the publisher there is nothing we can do.” Chief executive of Royal Blind Richard Hellewell said: “It is a real step forward for people who receive literature in Braille to be able to get the first edition of a new book at the same time as it comes out in print. “There are not that many books available in Braille - and the selection tends towards titles that are tried and tested.” During March Sue Reid Sexton will be involved in a series of commemorative events to remember the bombings on Clydebank. The author will meet with survivors of the raids - which many feel have never been fully acknowledged. She said: “When I looked into it it was far bigger than I realised. Because of the censorship at the time the true scale of the bombing did not come out. After the war people did not really want to talk about it. “It has been a hidden part of Scottish history.” ENDS For further information please contact: Helen Forrest, Marketing Manager on 0131 229 1456