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In this conversation, Michelle sits down with author and psych-nurse T.L. McCoy to unpack how a single genetic mutation—and a determined grandma—sparked the inclusive middle-grade adventure Delilah versus the Ghastly Grimm.
TL shares:
- The diagnosis that changed everything. Her granddaughter’s first-year seizures led to a Dravet-syndrome finding—and a crash course in gene mutations, med trials, and 40-minute seizures that land kids in the ICU.
- Why representation can’t wait. Only 3.4 percent of children’s books feature disabled protagonists; TL set out to fix that by giving complex kids a hero who battles villains and seizure triggers.
- Electric powers & indigo doors. How Delilah’s electro-chemical brain storms became literal lightning bolts in a fantasy world—and why kids on the spectrum of any disorder immediately “get” the metaphor.
- The advocacy playbook. From pushing past “it’s probably nothing” to finding the off-label med (Fintepla) that delivered a seizure-free year, TL explains why parents must “be a Karen” when instincts say something’s off.
- Grace for the grown-ups. Care-giving is a 24/7 marathon; TL’s practical reminders help moms and grandparents claim support, community, and rest without guilt.
Quote-to-tape-on-the-fridge:
“The strongest souls choose the hardest missions. Your child—and you—are both heroes.”
Whether you’re drowning in therapy schedules, hunting for medically accurate fiction, or wondering how to pitch your hospital library, TL’s journey proves inclusive stories heal more than we realize.
👤 About T.L. McCoy
Founder of Blue Round Book Group, LLC, TL is a 30-year psychiatric nurse and former special-education school director. Her debut novel Delilah versus the Ghastly Grimm blends fast-paced fantasy with an authentic portrayal of life-threatening seizure disorders.
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