T. L. McCoy, a Central Florida author, is set to release her debut middle-grade fantasy novel, Delilah Versus the Ghastly Grim, on May 27, 2025. The novel, which centers on a young girl with a rare, life-threatening disorder, is deeply inspired by McCoy’s own granddaughter, who was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy.
McCoy’s granddaughter’s courageous battle with Dravet Syndrome, a condition marked by frequent, severe seizures and developmental delays, became the catalyst for the author’s decision to create a protagonist that children like her granddaughter could relate to. The author expressed her desire to see more representation of children with disabilities in literature, pointing to statistics from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center that reveal only 3.4% of children’s books feature characters with disabilities. This, despite the World Health Organization’s estimate that 16% of the global population lives with a disability.
“It’s simply unacceptable, especially when so many of those children are the true heroes,” McCoy said, emphasizing the need for greater inclusivity in children’s books.
Delilah Versus the Ghastly Grim tells the story of a twelve-year-old girl named Delilah, who, after a life-threatening seizure, finds herself in a fantastical world. Here, Delilah discovers latent powers within herself and must confront a terrifying foe, all while searching for a way to return home. McCoy aims to offer young readers both an exciting adventure and an inspiring message of hope and resilience.
McCoy, who has a background as a teacher, nurse, school director, and U.S. military veteran, shared that her mission is to help children who seldom see themselves represented in books feel empowered and capable. “I want to help children feel strong, worthy, and capable of greatness,” she said.
In a twist of fate, McCoy’s career as a school director at No Limit Academy—a school dedicated to children with severe disabilities—aligned with the personal challenge she faced when her granddaughter’s diagnosis prompted her to write the book. Additionally, the author’s dream of a boat named The Nord—which serves as Delilah’s means of transportation in the novel—took on special significance when McCoy later learned about an organization named The Nord that focuses on disabilities, further strengthening her belief in the connection between her work and her personal journey.
Delilah Versus the Ghastly Grim will be available for purchase on Amazon and at select retailers starting May 27, 2025. McCoy is also available for interviews, school visits, and community events to promote literacy, inclusion, and awareness of rare childhood disorders like Dravet Syndrome.
