When a study showed that only 3.4% of children’s books feature a disabled protagonist, psychiatric nurse and educator T.L. McCoy realized the story her granddaughter needed didn’t exist—and decided to write it. Her middle-grade fantasy, Delilah vs. the Ghastly Grim, follows a 12-year-old with a life-threatening seizure disorder who’s pulled through an “indigo door” into a parallel world mid-seizure—then trapped there when doctors induce a coma back on Earth. The quest isn’t to “fix” her; it’s to live, choose, and become.
We unpack why inclusion (not just representation) matters, how to tell the truth about disability without preaching, and what it takes to bring an indie book to market at a professional level (30 self-edits, two pro editors—including The Hunger Games editor—and award-winning cover art). Teal shares the early reception from schools, Boston Children’s Hospital’s epilepsy unit, neurodivergent readers—and adults who see themselves in the story’s themes of belonging. If you’ve ever been told “stay in your lane,” this is a blueprint for building your own road.
Show Notes & Chapters-
[00:00] “Sometimes we need to make people uncomfortable” — why discomfort drives change.
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[01:00] Dravet syndrome explained; why Delilah needed a mirror in fiction.
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[04:00] The 3.4% stat and the decision to write the book herself.
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[06:30] Don’t let others decide your life: the counselor, nursing, and coming back stronger.
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[11:00] Building an imprint: why she self-published and how she kept the bar high (pro edits, cover).
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[14:00] Plot mechanics: the indigo door, Othersphere, and the medically induced coma.
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[17:00] Reception: schools, hospital units, neurodivergent readers—and adults who relate.
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[20:00] Who it’s for: middle grade sweet spot, “goosebumps”-level scary, Easter eggs (3-6-9, Daredevil).
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[26:00] Inviting other authors; what Blue Round is looking for.
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[27:00] Progress over perfection: what better inclusion would look like.
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[31:00] Delilah’s real-life progress; spectrum realities; therapy cadence.
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[40:00] Craft advice: collaborate with lived experience; research for authenticity.
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[49:00] Indie realities: POD, marketing grind, timelines, and professionalizing your draft.
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Book: Delilah vs. the Ghastly Grim — T.L. McCoy
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Imprint / Contact: Elevate Your Story with Blue Round Book Group, LLC | Blue Round Book Group, LLC (submissions, services, updates)
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