-2013 LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD WINNER FOR DEBUT NOVEL-
NIK NICHOLSON
Nik Nicholson found her voice as an artist early on, writing poetry and painting as a teenager. Her journey as a professional poet began at the West Las Vegas Art Center’s Poet’s Corner, where her spoken word performances were recognized and nurtured. Thanks to that community, Nik soon became a sought-after performer, invited to bring her words to classrooms, assemblies, and Black History Month events throughout the city.
Over the years, Nik’s creative life has branched out in all directions. She’s worked as an editor for small presses, published her poetry and prose in anthologies and magazines, and guided other writers on their own journeys to publication. In 2009, she began work on her biggest project yet—her debut novel, Descendants of Hagar. Drawing from historical research and in-depth interviews with masculine-centered women, Nik explored the complex realities of identity, sexuality, and gender roles. The result is a novel that’s both intimate and universal, and just the beginning: she’s currently developing several more books, including the highly anticipated Daughter of Zion, which she plans to write in 2026.
After almost a decade, 2025 marked a major milestone in Nik’s poetry career: her collections Queen of Nonsequiturs (released May 20, 2025) and BLAQ (released July 3, 2025) were both published to critical acclaim. This year also saw three of her poetry collections released on Audible, expanding her audience and bringing her words to life for listeners everywhere.
Art is at the center of everything Nik does. She’s an author, educator, editor, poet, painter, actor, spoken-word performer, workshop facilitator, and even a novice sculptor. Somehow, she manages all this while working full-time.Nik’s passion for art and writing is matched by her commitment to lifting others up. When her schedule allows, she mentors new writers, helps others navigate the world of self-publishing, and encourages everyone she meets to find—and use—their own voice. Creativity, for Nik, is both a calling and a way of life.
Cover of BLAQ: Nicholson's third collection of poetry, published in May 20, 2025.
Queen of Non Sequiturs, Nicholson's second collection of poetry. Published June 2025
Second Edition of Descendants of Hagar published in 2017 by Apple and Pear Publishing, a small St. Louis Press.
Second Edition of Nicholson's first collection of poetry on dating, breaking up, relationships and love. Published by Apple and Pear Publishing, a small St. Louis press in 2017.
Solace is a collection of poetry and prose that explores our pain, as well as our attempts to find solace in a world that seeks to destroy us. What are our strategies for survival? Where do we find solace? Audre Lorde writes that “we were never meant to survive,” yet here we are.
Longing, Lust, and Love: Black Lesbian Stories is an anthology edited by Shonia Brown, published in 2007.