Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce its latest free-for-download short story, 8.46. The story sees Lucy Wilson and Hobo Kostinen face the realities of prejudice.

Written by critically acclaimed African American author, Julia Press Simmons, 8.46 has been created in response to the death of George Floyd and protests that followed. She says:

“When Shaun at Candy Jar asked me to work on this story I was so pleased. Lucy Wilson is an amazing character and I am honoured and humbled to play a small part in her universe.”

Head of publishing, Shaun Russell, felt that it was very important to tackle this subject. He says:

“Lucy Wilson is a not only a lead female character (which there are very few), but also a person of colour. I felt it would be a dereliction of duty to not cover this topic. I also wanted the story to feel authentic so, through a mutual friend, I contacted the wonderful Julia Press Simmons.”

Julia has written more than twenty books including The Strawberry Mansion, and the award-winning play Down There (selected by the Black Festival Emerging Playwright’s series in Nashville). 8.46 is a departure from the standard Lucy Wilson tale. Julia has written a story which is based on her real-life experiences growing up. She continues:

“I must admit that initially I struggled with the tone of this project. Lucy is such a marvellous role model for children and I wanted her story to capture my personal experiences while keeping it age-appropriate. Although BAME life in the UK is different from the African American experience I felt that there was enough commonality for me to tell this tale.”

Tim Gambrell, who has written Lucy Wilson & the Bledoe Cadets, as well as several short stories including the upcoming The Midwife & the Alien, was involved in the editing process of this story. He says: “8.46 is a brief and powerful story that needs to be told, in my view. It doesn’t labour the fact. It doesn’t accuse the reader of anything. It just tells a simple story and packs quite an emotional punch with it.”

For Doctor Who fans that are unaware of Lucy Wilson, she is the granddaughter of the iconic Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, one of Doctor Who’s longest running characters. “The Brigadier”, as he is known to fans, was played by the late Nicholas Courtney.

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Blurb:

It’s 2020 and Lucy Wilson has just witnessed the death of George Floyd, followed by the toppling of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol.

Over eight minutes and forty-six seconds, Lucy and Hobo travel through time to discover why the past still has lessons to teach us all.

To download The Lucy Wilson Mysteries: 8.46  please visit: http://www.candy-jar.co.uk/books/freestory.html

Lockdown, a collection of pandemic-inspired Lucy Wilson short stories is still available. The royalties from sales will be donated to NHS charities and Candy Jar will double this amount.

http://www.candy-jar.co.uk/books/lockdown.html

To purchase The Lucy Wilson Mysteries: Lockdown please visit: http://www.candy-jar.co.uk/books/freestory.html