Nicola Garrard

Nicola Garrard’s debut novel, 29 LOCKS (HopeRoad, 2021), was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize and the Mslexia Children’s Novel competition, longlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2022, and picked by Suzi Feay (Financial Times) for their ‘Best Books of 2021’. Her second novel, 21 MILES (HopeRoad, 2023) was described by Carnegie medalist, Anthony McGowan as ‘One of the very best pieces of fiction to come out of the refugee crisis.’ The educationalist, Jake Hope described her third novel, ON THE EDGE (Old Barn Books, August 2025) as ‘Atmospheric and thought-provoking… it brilliantly captures that time before adulthood when pathways and possibilities feel expansive. The language is beautifully wrought and it definitely packs an emotional punch.’  

Nicola has worked in over 40 schools, colleges and universities delivering author presentations and creative writing workshops. She is also a part-time English teacher in a AP school in Islington. She has appeared at the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts, Chichester Festival and Petworth Festival Literary Week and is a regular guest on BBC Radio London. She was a speaker at the Hay Festival 2024 schools’ programme and the UKLA International Conference 2024. Her words and poetry have been published in The Frogmore Papers, Mslexia, The Guardian, the W&A Yearbook Guide to Getting Published and by IRON Press.  

For more information visit www.nicola-garrard.co.uk or follow @nmgarrard on X/@nicolagarrard7 on Instagram.