I’m delighted to welcome Nikki Smith to the blog today. Nikki’s debut, All In Her Head, was released on the 2nd of April by Orion to great critical acclaim (Lesley Kara called it ‘clever and emotionally charged’) and has now been optioned for the screen by Palma Pictures. I can’t wait to read this book! Here’s Nikki to tell us a little more about it.
Can you describe your new novel in one succinct but sensual sentence?
All In Her Head is a psychological suspense thriller about the darkest corners of a mother’s mind where nothing is as it first seems.
Who is your favourite character and why?
The book is a dual narrative but my favourite character is Alison, one of the two main protagonists. I identify with many of the emotions she experiences in the story.
Which authors have been your main inspirations?
Some of the other authors whom I love to read and really admire include people such as Louise Candlish, Erin Kelly, Sarah Vaughan, Lesley Kara and Harriet Tyce.
How does your writing process work; confusion and paper flying everywhere or calm and ordered?
When we were all living back in a normal world, my writing day revolved around dropping my daughters at school and sitting at the kitchen table to write before I had to go and pick them up. I’d say I’m a pretty ordered writer – I have a plan on a spreadsheet open whilst I write to keep a track of the plot and character threads. Since Corona, this routine has gone out of the window, as I’m sure it has for everyone. At the moment I try to get up very early to get some writing done before everyone else gets up, and then write again in the evening. I no longer have sole use of the kitchen table so it’s a case of finding somewhere quiet, balancing my laptop on anything I can find and getting on with it!
What is your guilty pleasure when writing? (Chocolate, wine, coffee…)
Coffee is a daily necessity and dark chocolate is my guilty pleasure.
Please share your blurb with us.
Alison is more alone than she’s ever been.
She is convinced that her ex-husband Jack is following her.
She is certain she recognises the strange woman who keeps approaching her at work.
She knows she has a good reason to be afraid.
She just can’t remember why.
Then the mention of one name turns her life upside down.
Alison feels like she’s losing her mind . . . but it could just lead her to the truth.
Wow, doesn’t it sound amazing? You can purchase your copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nikki Smith studied English Literature at Birmingham University, before pursuing a career in finance, working in a variety of different companies including an investment bank and a trampoline park. She always had a passion for writing and in 2017 she had a ‘now or never’ moment and applied for a Curtis Brown Creative 3 month writing course which she absolutely loved. Later that year she had a short story published in the Writer’s Forum Magazine, and submitted the opening chapters of her novel to a competition where she won the opportunity to be mentored by the author Amanda Reynolds. She lives near Guildford with her husband, two daughters and a very friendly Burmese cat called Saffi.