Nicola Hodges

Nicola’s Story

Nicola Hodges is a woman with a difference. Nicola’s life has been marked by trauma and health problems. In her twenties, she began suffering with Epilepsy. To save her from the damaging effects of repeated seizures, she was prescribed an anti-epileptic medication. No one could have known she would experience a life-threatening allergic reaction that left her in a coma, with her family called to her bedside to say their goodbyes.

Defying all expectations, Nicola began to heal, but her battle was far from over. She continued to try different medication routines. While her epilepsy remained uncontrolled, she had seizures in the most terrifying places imaginable; the top of a flight of stairs; on an escalator in a shopping centre; in a swimming pool. After one such seizure, down a flight of stairs, she fractured her skull, lost total hearing in one ear, and suffered a series of brain bleeds. The brain bleeds left her with cognitive deficits. To many, she seemed “normal”, but those closest to her could see the difference. Nicola had to come to terms with the fact that she didn’t feel “herself” any more; that everyday tasks were harder, sometimes overwhelming, all whilst appearing to the outside world as a happy, healthy young woman.

Nicola’s future seemed uncertain at this time. She could no longer work, drive, or live alone. Already supervised at activities such as swimming, following a near-drowning prevented only by the quick reflexes of her mother and the lifeguard on duty, it seemed that Nicola’s world would necessarily continue to contract. And so it did.

Once again, it was time for Nicola to defy the odds and achieve the seemingly impossible. Nicola began volunteering for a few hours a week at a charity shop. Interacting with people and having a purpose again boosted her confidence, and she took the first step towards becoming who she is today: she decided to ignore the odds, and to pick up a pen, to write down the story that had been building within her. Nicola rebuilt her cognitive abilities through reading, journaling, and eventually writing — a process that led her to develop the supernatural, emotionally rich fiction she is known for today.

Nicola is fast gaining recognition and praise as the author of the Spirit Born series, published under a five‑book deal with publishing house Morning Mist. Her work blends gothic atmosphere, mystery, and human resilience, drawing readers into worlds where the supernatural meets the deeply personal. Three books in the series are already published, with two more on the way.

Her lived experience gives her a rare perspective on creativity after trauma, resilience, and the healing power of storytelling. Nicola speaks openly about the challenges of brain injury — memory loss, identity disruption, emotional recovery — and how writing became both a lifeline and a new beginning. Her talks resonate strongly with audiences seeking hope, authenticity, and connection.

Nicola is available to speak at literary festivals, schools, libraries, and wellbeing organisations, where she delivers sessions on:

• Rebuilding creativity after adversity

• The emotional reality of brain injury

• How storytelling supports recovery

• Writing supernatural fiction with depth and meaning

• Finding your voice when life forces you to start again

Her talks are warm, honest, and deeply human — blending lived experience with practical insight and a storyteller’s instinct for connection.

Nicola lives in Kent and is available for speaking engagements, author events, workshops, panel discussions, and media interviews across the UK. She is happy to travel for festivals and paid speaking opportunities, and offers local sessions for schools, libraries, and community groups.

For bookings and enquiries: office@nicolahodges.com