I write fiction and nonfiction picture books, middle grade books, and stories for children’s magazines.

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My wonderful day job is in ocean conservation and orca recovery, and fascinating marine animals often feature in my writing. Love whales? Curious about wolf eels? Fascinated by octopuses? You've come to the right place.

But it's not all about the sea. I'm working on a variety of #STEM stories, both humorous and lyrical, as well as middle-grade mysteries. So stay tuned!

I live on an island in Washington state, where my family and I love to explore tidepools, search for sea glass, watch whales from shore, and roam the fern-filled forests.

I am represented by Lynnette Novak of The Seymour Agency. I am an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators in Western Washington.

I have a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

OTTO AND THE FLYING ORCA, a picture book  illustrated by Bao Luu. Coming in June 2023 from West Margin Press!

"Underwater Music"

Cricket magazine

July/Aug 2020
Art by Agnes Loonstra

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Text © 2020 by Nora Nickum, art © 2020 by Agnes Loonstra. Reprinted by permission of Cricket Media. All rights reserved. 

"Broomball"

Cricket magazine

Jan 2022
Art by Juan Berrio

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"Hugo and the Seal"

Cricket magazine

March 2021
Art by Becca Santo

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Text © 2021 by Nora Nickum, art © 2021 by Becca Santo. Reprinted by permission of Cricket Media. All rights reserved. 

3 articles in the Feb. 2022 issue of Muse magazine. Click for PDFs: 

• Entangled

• From the Air (orca friendships & gray whale headstands!)

• A Whale-Sized Battle Against Climate Change

Used by permission. © 2022 Cricket Media.

"Mo of the Mudflat"

Cricket magazine

May/June 2022
Art by Nicole Wong

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Text © 2022 by Nora Nickum, art © 2022 by Nicole Wong. Reprinted by permission of Cricket Media. All rights reserved.