ABOUT ME

Before trusting my advice, you need to know why you should. So, here's some CV-type information to help you. (Excuse the boasting but it's what CVs have to do... And, yes, I cringe.)

I have around 90 books published, mostly in the children's and YA markets. Some of my books for younger children are best-sellers in their category, and many of my novels have made it onto various shortlists and / or won awards, including being nominated for the Carnegie Medal. I have also written hundreds of articles for magazines, and reviews for The Guardian and The Scotsman.

Based on my blog, Help! I Need a Publisher!Snowbooks - commissioned me to write a book, Write To Be Published. This has had positive feedback from published and unpublished wirters, as well as industry experts.

Other than Write to be Published, my most successful books are probably Fleshmarket (well-known for its shocking opening chapter), Wasted (nominated for the Carnegie Medal, winner of three awards, and shortlisted for ten) and Blame My Brain - the amazing teenage brain revealed. I had the least fun as a writer when writing a series of Thomas the Tank Engine books. Nearly made me go off the rails, I can tell you.

For more details about my books and school events, see my author website at www.nicolamorgan.com

From 2006 to 2009, I was Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, and was on the committee for three years before that. As Chair, I also sat on the Management Committee of the UK SoA. I am currently on the committee of the Children's Writers and Illustrators Group of the SoA.

I have a busy public-speaking schedule - talking is one of my favourite activities, as my husband will confirm. My topics are writing for publication (adult audiences only), my own fiction, the teenage brain, and many aspects of reading and writing.

I am a former English teacher and dyslexia specialist. I am an official Ambassador for Dyslexia Scotland.

I am outspoken on the rights of writers and readers, and coined the phrase Fair Reading, which asks people to understand and consider the detrimental effects of heavy price-cutting.

An internet search will find press reaction to my complementary World Book Night idea (I appeared on BBC Newsnight about this and was quoted in places such as the Guardian, The Bookseller and The Spectator). I am also the instigator of the game #lessinterestingbooks on Twitter, leading to the worldwide No 1 trending topic!

On a personal note, I live in Edinburgh and have accommodation in London. I am married with two grown-up daughters and a labrador who ought to be a lot more grown-up than she is.

These are a few of my favourite things...