Nicola McCloy is an Auckland -based writer and editor who hails from Southland. After gaining a degree in Political Studies from Otago University before embarking on a career in corporate communications. After several years in Wellington, and time living in London, she moved back to Auckland to pursue a career in publishing. Following on from the publication of her first book, New Zealand Disasters in 2004, she was written 15 books, specialising in New Zealand social history. She also works as a ghost writer.

When she's not writing or fixing other people's words, Nic spends a lot of time in the water, having rediscovered her love of open water swimming in 2012. Since then, she's competed in most of New Zealand's big ocean and river swims as well as Samoa Swim Series (four times!) She also manages to fit in a bit of trail running - with her major achievement being a finish in the 50-km event at the Great Naseby Water Race in 2014.

www.lisatamati.co.nz