Hello, I’m Nicola Adam and I’m a journalist, writer, radio presenter, columnist, news pundit ( can you pundit news?) and general media type around town - well - if the wilds of rural Lancashire counts as town which it probably doesn’t. Well, the sheep are impressed.
Who am I?
My passion is just a really good story.
So I juggle life as a querying novelist with my day job as an senior editor in a large media organisation with titles across the UK and a part time role as a weekly radio presenter. I also work as a travel writer and for many years was a weekly columnist in a daily newspaper. In recent years I’ve dabbled in a little TV and documentary.
Write Reject Repeat was born out of my desire to connect with other writers and to help promote and support others in both the publishing and news spheres. I‘ve interviewed many authors across genres online, on radio and via podcast out of a passion for the subject matter. So many journalists have a book in them and so many authors find themselves writing for the media plus I strongly believe the industries are mutually beneficial. I also believe a content creator model works for everyone. I see so many influencers out there killing it with their business model and I have have a huge admiration for those who are making a mark in 2024 - us writers and journalists can learn a lot from them.
My career was founded on local news which means I am a time-served journalist (I’ve interviewed six British prime ministers as I’ve been around so long) but my passion is just a really good story. Admittedly, it’s been while since I was a local reporter though I was until recently (2023) a local daily newspaper editor. I was once a crime reporter but now I work as a journalism leader managing editors of big titles across the north of England. This means I have a lot of insights into the politics of news and spend a lot of time doing things I’d rather not (spreadsheets, I see you).
But I’ll save you from the most boring of that in favour of prioritising my lifetime quest; getting an agent and a book deal then swanning around on book tours eating cupcakes themed to my novel. Yes, I know it’s not that easy, but let a girl (ok, a woman) eat cake and dream. I’d love you to dream with me.
As a journalist and writer I have great access to tips, authors and opportunities so I have lots to share. Fellow writers, let’s travel on the query journey together and fellow journalists let’s share our knowledge. Everyone welcome, you’ll get no literary snobbishness here. A good story or book is one people actually want to read.
What to expect?
If you are a paid subscriber - firstly thankyou very much! Secondly I’m here to connect and to help. You are my first priority so if I an help in any way - please shout up. You’ll get:
Chatty and over-sharing blog posts reserved for paid subscribers only.
A variety of Q&As and informative posts - including your questions answered.
A bumper news, events and opportunities section.
Access to the spoken newsletter (audio edition).
Access to subscriber-only chat.
Access to paid subscriber back catalogue.
Free subscribers will get newsletter previews and occasional free newsletters. I will NOT gatekeep opportunities for those starting out.
Who am I really though?
I’m a chronic over sharer as you may have gathered. I hardly spoke as a child so I'm making up or it in later life with radio shows, podcasts, TV and general waffling. I’m former BBC radio presenter (axed with the cuts obviously) and you can see what I look like (hot and bothered) on Sky TV’s Hold the Front Page with Josh Widdecombe and Nish Kumar (episode 1). No my hair is not naturally wavy like that and yes I corpsed 1,000 times. Obviously I also love reading and generally hoarding books. One day you’ll find me buried underneath a pile of bath-destroyed paperbacks. I’m certainly no book snob and will read anything at all or at least try. If your idea of heaven is a glass of wine and a pile of books left in a rented holiday home - let’s be friends.
I like crisps
I’m also fully here to share my life as a late bloomer aiming at the stars through the cloudy sky, my inability to give up chips and gravy, my chronic hoarding of clothes I never wear and the sheep that live out of the bedroom window. I like aspirational You Tube channels, those small meals you get on planes, leather bags preferably tan and designer and did I mention clothes. I have a crisp addiction problem (salt n’vinegar). I love to travel and get to do for work (sometimes) but I’m terrible at packing, I want to be super confident but I’m just not so I can’t act or sing but I was once a competitive swimmer (fly and crawl for those in the know). Despite managing news & sports teams for years, the rules of all ball sports elude me and I’m terrible at recognising celebrities. (Apart from Jason Donovan, sorry about the selfie mate).
I’m older than I would ideally like.
On that note - about bloody time
And I just, finally, got married last year.
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