Welcome, Herons!
It’s so good to have you here. 🤍
Today, we’re featuring Nicola Humber: author of three transformational books, Heal Your Inner Good Girl , UNBOUND and Unbound Writing and creator of the #unbound365 journal. She's also the founder of The Unbound Press, a soul-led publishing imprint for unbound women.
Here’s what to expect in this edition:
Introduction – why I’m so happy to have Nicola here
A video snippet from the interview
Article – Nicola’s story and highlights from our conversation
(Heron’s special): A gift from Nicola + the full video interview
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Nicola: A Writer’s Guide, A Community’s Heart
I found Nicola as a writer who needed more than just book-writing guidance. I needed someone to believe in me, to give me that boost of confidence in my work. And what I received was so much more than I ever expected.
Not only does Nicola have this beautiful, supportive energy that makes you feel safe in your creative process, but she also provides something truly invaluable: a community. She doesn’t operate in isolation; she gathers and nurtures a circle of incredible writers, each at different stages of their journey. Everyone who comes to her is, in some way, looking to birth their book or bring their creative work into the world. And Nicola? She doesn’t just inspire us—she holds the space for us, guides us, and, in the most gentle yet firm way, reminds us that we have to actually sit down and do the work. Because as magical as the process is, the book won’t write itself.
What I admire most is how she leads - not just by instruction, but by example. She shares her own journey openly, the highs and the challenges, showing us that creativity isn’t just about the finished product, but about the unfolding process. Through her, I’ve met other beautiful souls who, like me, are on this path of writing, expanding, and deepening their creative expression.
This piece is woven with love—both for Nicola and for the creative spark she ignites in others. I hope it inspires you to step deeper into your own creativity or perhaps take on a leadership role in whatever space you hold, lifting others as you grow.
Let’s dive in.
A Moment from the Interview:
Here’s a little snippet from our conversation, which has been crafted into an article below. 🤍
Nicola Humber: Creativity, Community, and the Magic of Unbound Expression
For Nicola Humber, creativity isn’t just about writing—it’s about allowing. It’s about trusting what wants to come through, even when that little voice in your head starts asking, Wait… is this okay? Should I really be doing this?
As the founder of The Unbound Press and the author of Heal Your Inner Good Girl, UNBOUND, and Unbound Writing, Nicola has made it her mission to help women break free from the rules they’ve been taught and step into the fullness of their creative expression. In her world, creativity is not about perfection—it’s about freedom. It’s about listening to your intuition, writing in a way that feels true, and allowing yourself to show up exactly as you are.
In our conversation, we explored what it feels like when creativity is flowing, how we sometimes get in our own way, and why community is such a powerful part of the process.
The Magic of Community
When I asked Nicola what inspires her most, her answer was simple: connection. Creativity, for her, is fueled by community. Whether it’s a one-to-one conversation, a group writing session, or simply being in the energy of other creators, she thrives in those moments of shared inspiration.
She has tried working in isolation, setting aside days with no calls or meetings to focus on her creative process. While she values that space, she has noticed something interesting: those are often the days when inspiration feels most distant. Without the magic of others, the creative flow just isn’t the same.
Even in virtual spaces, the magic of community is undeniable. A simple Zoom call with fellow writers from around the world can shift something, opening doors that might have stayed closed in solitude. The power of shared creative energy is real.
And being a writer isn’t just about writing - it’s about everything that nurtures the process! Sometimes that means clearing your space, taking a walk, or enjoying a long bath—whatever your inner writer needs in that moment. Bringing a book to life isn’t just about the words on the page; it’s about the energy and experience that carry them there.
How The Unbound Press Was Born
Nicola never planned to start a publishing company. It was something she fell into.
She had always loved books and imagined she would be a writer. But growing up, she absorbed the message that being an author wasn’t a real career. Little Nicola thought she would write a book one day, but then she learned it wasn’t practical. It wasn’t for people like her. So she did the sensible thing - got a business degree, worked in finance, and forgot all about it.
Writing found her again later in life. In her late thirties, after retraining as a coach and hypnotherapist, she started writing blogs. At first, she kept her tone polished and professional, believing that was the right approach. But over time, she let her true voice come through, and that changed everything.
Her first book, Heal Your Inner Good Girl, was followed by Unbound, the one that shifted everything. Writing that book was a turning point, a process of rediscovery. Then came a moment she would never forget.
At the time, she was working with a publisher who casually mentioned that he could see her running her own imprint, something like The Unbound Press. As soon as he said it, she felt it in every cell of her body. It was a strong yes. She had no background in publishing and had only written two books, but she knew this was what she was meant to do.
So she did. And here we are. A community of writers lifting each other up, Nicola holding the space for us.
Business as a Creative Playground
Nicola keeps reminding herself that her business is, at its heart, a creative project. When she treats it like a playground, it feels light and magical. But the moment she takes it too seriously, it starts to feel like just another job.
Her upcoming book, The Abundant Author Playbook, explores this idea even further. Publishing a book isn’t the end of the journey—it’s the beginning. It’s a seed that wants to grow into something more, expanding into new offerings, deeper connections, and unexpected opportunities.
A key lesson in this process is reframing visibility as connection. When we focus on visibility, it’s easy to get caught up in self-doubt, comparison, and overthinking. But when we shift the focus to connection, everything changes. It’s no longer about simply being seen—it’s about showing up for the people who are already looking for us.
A Message for the Ones Still Finding Their Way
Before we wrapped up, I asked Nicola what she would say to herself ten years ago.
Her answer?
“You have no idea how much magic is coming your way. Just keep going. Trust it.”
And maybe that’s a message we all need to hear.
Creativity isn’t about getting it right. It isn’t about having a perfect plan. It’s about trusting the spark, following the pull, and letting the magic unfold in ways we never could have planned.
Because the best things? The most Unbound things?
They’re the ones we never see coming.
If you have an idea for a book—no matter what stage you're in—Nicola is the perfect guide, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. And if you join this community of Unbound, wonderful writers, chances are, you’ll see me on one of the Zooms.
Find out more about Nicola here
Follow her on Insta (it’s worth it!) here
Check out The Unbound Press here
Thank you, Nicola 🙏🤍
Continue reading after the paywall, where you'll find a beautiful gift Nicola has shared with us, along with the full video of our beautiful conversation.