Mike Nicholson

(born 1966 - ) - Dalkeith, Edinburgh

Born in 1966 and brought up in Dalkeith, Mike is now based in Edinburgh, after spending time living and working in the north west of England and south Wales.

Mike realised that writing and the creative process were what made him tick after doing a church-based course looking at gifts and passions. Previous work doing environmental projects with primary age children spurred him on to write for children.

His first book Catscape began as a single chapter submitted for a BBC Talent competition. It missed the final shortlist but a letter of encouragement was enough for Mike to work away to complete the story. The completed book won the Kelpies Prize in 2005. His second novel, Grimm, will be published in Autumn 2008.

Writing influences are mystery adventure stories that he loved as a child: The Three Investigators, Tintin and Dr Who. Mike squeezes his writing in between an almost full-time job managing a charity (Befriending Network Scotland) and looking after his two young sons.

Mike's other creative exploits include taking part in a number of 24 Hour Film Challenges where a 6 minute film is written, filmed and produced in a day. The results are on YouTube.

• Catscape - 2005
• Grimm - 2008