Hello and welcome!
I’m Claire Nicholas
Born and bred in Midhurst, West Sussex;
now splitting my time between Midhurst and Torquay
Latest News
Latest News
Good and Bad News
Let’s get the bad news over with, so that we can all relax after that.
Ridiculous pricing of various aspects relating to maintaining this website means that I will have to stop using it. In fact, I have just found out that I can no longer sell from it, which kind of makes a whole mockery of having a website. I have now deleted the ‘Shop’ page that used to allow customers to submit orders.
So, instead of a lovely website, I am currently updating my page on Facebook to take over the role. It will be very basic, of course, but at least it will still give people somewhere to learn about my work. You can find me on Facebook at claire nicholas - author. The lower case ‘a’ in author is important; an upper case ‘A’ in author is for my personal Facebook account.
At some point, I will also be doing less book signings. With five books in tow, transporting several copies of each one, with all of the accompanying promotional material, is more awkward than I had bargained for. That means, yes, you’ve guessed it, I will have to rely on using online platforms to handle the sales for me. However, I still have plenty of stock at home, so I suspect I’ll be able to continue with my personal way of selling for some time to come.
And now for the good news!!!
The final book in the Sunwood series will be available from mid-late September 2025, ideal timing for the story which is based on Halloween. Personally, I think it is the best one of the five; it pulls together aspects of the previous four and is one big adventure for the kids. But wait! There’s more :-). This edition not only includes an Epilogue (ergo, more adventures), it also has a Halloween Teaser at the end.
Here are dates of book signings until end of 2025, though there might be more to come before Christmas.
20 Sept Private Signing Event
26 Sept, from 2.00: Scoop, Beacon Hill
9 Oct, from 10.00: Devil's Punchbowl cafe, Hindhead
10 Oct, from 10.00: Hemingways, Haslemere
19 Oct from 10.00: Cafe at Cowdray Heritage Trust, Midhurst
29 Nov, 10.00 - 1.00: Christmas Fayre at Fernhurst Hub
2 Dec, from 10.00: Hemingways, Haslemere
4 Dec, from 10.00: Devils Punchbowl cafe, Hindhead
About Me
Having enjoyed my formative years in Midhurst, I moved away at the tender age of 28. It took until 2019 before I could move back for good but, meanwhile, I was able to visit family and friends here frequently. So frequently in fact, that some may not have even noticed I had moved away.
I returned as someone with more knowledge and experience, but still with an enjoyment in life.
In recent years, I have been very lucky in being able to spend time in Devon, where my partner lives. It’s a lifestyle that some can’t understand, but I suspect many might be envious of! We get free holidays when we visit each other, and space to do our own thing when we don’t!
Retirement in 2022 gave me the freedom to test the water in becoming an author. I had already dallied with writing, mainly through my studies, and research had been a prominent aspect of many of my jobs. I just love delving through records and books, looking for facts and interesting comments; this has continued into my writing.
Becoming a self-published author enabled me to write about things that interest me. A new problem was born: how to whittle my interests down to a manageable list! I am very happy with the outcome. In fact, walking around Dartmoor and the South Downs has often helped my writing, as they spark the imagination.
I would not have had the confidence or the knowledge to do any of this if I hadn't signed up to do 'Write That Book' run by Michael Heppell, so huge thanks go to him.