Picture a British storyteller who spun a romantic comedy into a heartfelt ode to love and cinema—meet Owen Nicholls! A screenwriter turned novelist, Nicholls captured hearts with his debut novel, Love, Unscripted, a quirky tale of romance that feels like a John Cusack movie. With a knack for blending pop culture, humor, and raw emotion, his stories resonate with anyone who’s ever dreamed of a picture-perfect love story.
From his home in Norfolk, England, Nicholls crafts narratives that explore the messy, beautiful complexities of relationships, drawing inspiration from classic literature, contemporary films, and the everyday chaos of life with his partner and two sons. His work is a love letter to storytelling itself, making him a rising star in literary fiction.
The Making of Owen Nicholls
Born and raised in Bradwell, a quiet village near Great Yarmouth, Nicholls grew up in a region with limited cultural support, yet his passion for storytelling thrived. He pursued a master’s degree in scriptwriting at the University of East Anglia, honing his craft in the art of narrative. His early career saw him scripting a biopic about filmmakers Powell and Pressburger, which caught the eye of Bedlam Productions, the Academy Award-winning team behind The King’s Speech. Nicholls also worked as a script reader at the Toronto International Film Festival and contributed to publications like Empire and NME, immersing himself in the world of film and music that would shape his writing.
Owen Nicholls’s Unforgettable Stories
Nicholls’s debut novel, Love, Unscripted (2019), is a romantic comedy that follows Nick, a film projectionist reeling from a breakup, as he rewinds his relationship to understand where it went wrong. Packed with movie references and Obama-era nostalgia, the book earned a Kirkus Starred Review and praise as “nostalgic, tender, and achingly cool” by Josie Silver. Its cinematic structure, witty dialogue, and heartfelt exploration of love’s imperfections make it a standout.
His second novel, Perfect Timing (2021), dives into the lives of a musician and a stand-up comic who meet at the Edinburgh Festival. This love story unfolds over years, tackling themes of success, self-discovery, and timing in relationships. Critics lauded its emotional depth and sharp humor, comparing it to the works of Nick Hornby. Nicholls’s style is cinematic yet intimate, blending pop-culture savvy with raw, relatable emotions that linger long after the final page.
As a screenwriter, Nicholls’s work continues to shine. His Powell and Pressburger biopic, still under option, showcases his ability to weave historical narratives with emotional resonance, further cementing his versatility across mediums.
Why Owen Nicholls Matters
Owen Nicholls’s work bridges the gap between the silver screen and the written word, offering readers a fresh take on romance in an era of fleeting digital connections. His stories celebrate the messiness of love while paying homage to the films and music that shape our lives. Through programs like the National Centre for Writing’s Escalator Talent Scheme, Nicholls has inspired aspiring writers, proving that niche, personal stories can find a global audience. His influence is felt in the way he encourages readers to see their own lives as stories worth telling.
- Born: Bradwell, England
- Key Works: Love, Unscripted (2019), Perfect Timing (2021)
- Notable Achievement: Selected for the Escalator Talent Development Scheme (2017)
Ready to fall in love with a story that feels like your favorite rom-com? Snag Love, Unscripted and dive into Owen Nicholls’s witty, heartfelt world!