"Every braille book created is a step toward greater inclusion and equal access to literature…even books about losers."
I was first introduced to braille by my late nana, Joan Hastie, who volunteered as a transcriber for Braille House. She had a small office in the back sunroom of her home, where a Perkins braille machine sat proudly in the centre. I grew up watching her work on her braille transcriptions.
As a not-for-profit organisation with limited government funding, Braille House relies heavily on volunteers to provide braille, Moon, large print, twin, e-braille and tactile materials to people of all ages who are blind or have low vision.
In her twenty years of volunteering for Braille House, my nana transcribed over fifty novels. Her name is on the honour board at Braille House among the other amazing volunteers who make touch literacy possible for so many. The volunteers at Braille House contribute thousands of hours annually, enabling blind and low-vision readers to fully engage in education, recreation, and increased connection to their community.
My nana tried to teach my brother and I how to use the braille machine, but alas, she was unsuccessful. It’s tricky! I’m in awe of the volunteers who learn this skill later in life, as my grandmother did. She had a profound love of reading and took up braille in her retirement, having previously worked as an editor. I wish I could ask her more about the process and how long it took her to learn touch literacy.
In 2024, my debut novel, a romantic comedy called Liv Is Not a Loser, was published internationally. A personal and career milestone I wish I could have shared with my nana. She instilled in me a love of reading and storytelling.
Not long after my novel was released, I contacted Braille House to inquire about the possibility of my book being included in the library.
As their resources are limited, Braille House uses a Book Panel to prioritise titles. The panel’s decisions are guided by reader requests, borrowing patterns, surveys, and community feedback.
It was an incredibly special moment for me when my novel was chosen by the panel. My nana is mentioned in the acknowledgements of my book, so knowing it will now be one of the 4500 titles available for borrowing through the braille library is a beautiful honour for me.
Every braille book created is a step toward greater inclusion and equal access to literature…even books about losers.
Liv Is Not a Loser is now available to be requested through the braille library and shipped free of charge nationwide via Australia Post.
I hope readers enjoy Liv Is Not a Loser. Thank you to Braille House, the staff, and volunteers who are building a more inclusive world, one braille dot and one book at a time.