School teacher publishes teenage sex novel to rival:- 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

A secondary School teacher shocked by the number of teenage girls reading sexually explicit adult literature has reacted by publishing her own book. Sue Bordley, from Bromborough, Wirral, has 20 years' experience teaching in Schools across the Merseyside and Cheshire areas.

After repeatedly overhearing young girls talk about books such as:- 'Fifty Shades of Grey,' an erotic novel by author E.L James, she became increasingly worried about the negative effect of such suggestive literature on teenage behaviours. In response, the English teacher set about penning her own book to provide teenage girls, 15 and over, with a more appropriate alternative.

After months of writing:- 'XY,Z' was finally published in 2017, under her pen name Jess Molyneux. The novel follows the story of 17 year old Zoe Thompson and her 1st serious sexual relationship with her boyfriend Alex Ryan. Specifically aimed at a teenage audience, the book features detailed descriptions of the sexual aspects of Zoe and Alex's relationship, but with a much greater emphasis on respect.

Since publishing the book Sue has remained tight lipped about being the real writer behind pseudonym Jess Molyneux, but has now decided to reveal her identity. Sue said:- "The book is a bit explicit in parts so I guess I've always been a bit concerned about the reaction I might get especially being a teacher. However, I think youngsters today have a really hard time and I believe they can benefit from more open discussions about sex and relationships which is why I'm now talking more openly about my reasons for writing the book. 'XY,Z' does contain detailed descriptions of the sexual aspects of relationships, but I've tried to deal with this in a more age appropriate way for older teenagers. The descriptions of sexual activity are designed partly to be educational, but more importantly the relationship between Zoe and Alex aims to show young women that if they behave responsibly, sexual relationships can be positive. The book is humorous but tackles issues such as consent, safe sex and emergency contraception in a realistic way, responsible way. It really started to concern me to think older teenage girls were looking to adult literature to guide and inform them about relationships and that's why I decided to do something about it. I really hope they find 'XY,Z' enjoyable, insightful but appropriate at the same time."

Sue, who has since published her second novel 'Rescue Me,' which she was inspired to write following a period of severe depression, said writing had allowed her to address a number of real-life issues such as relationships and mental well being, but in a positive, light hearted and humorous way.

"In 2017 I was forced to give up the job I loved because of depression. On many days I was unable to get out of bed, let alone leave the house. Eventually I felt able to try swimming for some physical activity and 1 day whilst at the pool, I got a moment of inspiration when I saw a lifeguard tapping his feet to the song on the radio which was 'Rescue Me.' This set the basic chain of events for the story in my head; a realistic romance story where heroine Nikki is emotionally rather than physically rescued by a lifeguard named Rob. The combination of swimming and having the book to focus on has certainly helped to rescue me. I have been able to return to work and currently teach on a supply basis and I try to go swimming as often as possible. I really hope people will enjoy this book. It's essentially a straightforward, uplifting love story, but is also very much about women supporting each other through difficult times. I've dedicated it to the real life 'Lauras and Jeanettes' in the world after 2 of the book's strong female characters." Sue explained.

Sue is now working on ideas for a follow up to 'XY,Z' and a fourth novel. Her latest novels are available on Amazon as well as Write Blend Bookshop and Lifestyle Collective, in Waterloo, Merseyside.

Author's road safety book receives recognition in the House of Commons

A Liverpool author who continues to be involved in a high profile campaign to educate young children on road safety has had her work recognised in the Houses of Parliament. Jude Lennon, who was commissioned to write 2 road safety books by the family of 6 year old, Bobby Colleran, who was killed on Leyfield Road in West Derby in 2014, has spoken to nearly 80,000 children in the last 2 years about staying safe on the roads.

The author uses the books:- 'Superbob' and 'S.T.O.P' (Superbob Tells Off Parents) as a fun and an engaging educational tool to deliver free road safety assemblies in Schools and to date she has visited more than 280 Schools across Liverpool and the North West of England.

The programme will continue to run in the Merseyside, Knowsley and Sefton areas this year and it's hoped a wider campaign by the Bobby Colleran Trust to get safe areas called:- 'Bobby Zones' installed outside Schools will eventually be rolled out nationwide.

The author's involvement in the campaign was recently recognised in the House of Commons during a debate on road safety initiated by MP Stephen Twigg, the Labour and Co-operative Party politician for Liverpool West Derby.

In his speech Mr Twigg said:- "The aim of the book is to create an interactive, fun, educational resource that can be used in primary School assemblies. It has been taken up not only in Liverpool but across the North West of England. Since the book was launched, Jude Lennon has visited hundreds of Schools and spoken to nearly 60,000 children about staying safe on the roads."

In September 2017 alone, author Jude has spoken to more than 2,000 School pupils about the need for staying safe near roads and her assemblies are fully booked during:- 'Road Safety Week 2018,' which runs from 19 November to 25 November 2018.

Jude said:- "The educational programme funded by the family of Bobby Colleran continues to be a huge success within Schools. The books really help to explain safety issues in a fun and engaging way which the children understand. Children really relate to the character and as a result of this, I'm confident they also pick up on the key messages about road safety. Our hope is they take these messages, process them and put them into practice by being more aware of the dangers when they are crossing roads. The 'Bobby Zones' have also been a huge success and I would say without doubt the work of the Bobby Colleran Trust is helping to save young lives. If this work can be extended beyond the North West of England then it will be a fantastic achievement and will be a lasting legacy for Bobby."

When visiting Schools Miss Lennon reads from the book and encourages children to think about their own safety when near roads. The key message of the campaign is that road safety is for 'everyone' and children and adults alike need to do their bit to keep 'everyone' safe.

All Schools participating in the 'Superbob' campaign assemblies receive a free copy of the book for the School library. Additional book sales and donations go straight back to The Bobby Colleran Trust to pay for the assemblies and educational resources for Schools.  For more information or to book a 'Superbob' assembly, visit:- BobbyColleranTrust.Com.