Nicola is a former journalist and now a chartered public relations professional, one of only 600 with that status in the UK. In her day job she heads up the communications and campaigns department at Redwings, the largest horse welfare charity in the country.

While writing about ponies is a dream come true in its own right, being a novelist has long been the ultimate goal. Since reviving this in earnest in 2021 in snatches of spare time, she has been placed runner up in the Daily Mail First Novel competition, and longlisted both in the Mslexia Novel Prize and with Penguin Michael Joseph. That’s all well and good but Nicola is particularly proud of a sparkly pen which came as a runners up prize for Comedy Women in Print Flash Fiction, run by Helen Lederer!

In 2023 she also published a chapter which formed part of a collection of stories around mental health called ‘Will You Read This Please?’, edited by Dr Joanna Cannon and co-authored with renowned author Jenn Ashworth.

Nicola’s debut novel, The Night Before Christmas, a romantic comedy featuring giant penguins, rescued cats, and an unforgettable heroine, will be released in September 2024.

She lives in Norfolk with her husband, young daughter and three chaotic cats* 

(*number correct at time of going to press)