Nicholas Manning is an educator, writer, and creative professional with a passion for nurturing emotional growth through storytelling. With a degree in English and twelve years of experience teaching middle school language arts, Nicholas understands the power of literature to support and inspire young minds.
He previously illustrated two children's books authored by Denise LaRosa and now debuts as an author with Angel Among Us—a heartfelt story inspired by the passing of his mother. Written as a legacy for his twin sons, the book is a tribute to the grandmother they never had the chance to meet and serves as a gentle, visually engaging resource to help children process loss and grief.
Nicholas currently works in marketing for an energy solutions company. He lives with his husband, James Allen, their twin boys, and their French bulldog, Cooper. A lover of art, cooking, and home projects—gifts inherited from his mother—Nicholas continues to find beauty in creating and connecting through his work.
Q: What inspired the idea behind your book?
A: Angel Among Us is a story for my sons, Aiden and Jayden, and is inspired by the beautiful ways in which my mother’s spirit lives here on Earth. Even though my mother is an angel in heaven, our lost loved ones can be found inside our hearts, alive in our memories, and present in the elements of the natural world around us.
Q: As an author, what tips would you give anyone who wants to get into writing?
A: If your heart holds a story that your mind replays often, then this is a story that deserves to be shared with the world. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable, play with words, and compose several drafts before your writing feels perfectly complete!
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
Q: Was your main character modeled after anyone in your life?
A: Leonardo, or Leo for short, is modeled after our son Aiden Nicholas. Aiden has a twin brother named Jayden James, who also appears in this story as Luca.
Q: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
A: During the writing process, I love the revision stage! I am a lover of powerful, descriptive words, and I see them as the ingredients that can make your story into a thoughtful masterpiece. I have the most fun enhancing my sentences, clarifying my ideas, and crafting lively, vivid imagery for the reader!
Q: Do you believe that being a “good writer” is a developed skill or a natural talent?
A: Writing and storytelling are for everyone, but these acts do come naturally for some and can feel daunting for others. Whether your stories flow from your imagination with ease or get stuck in the webs of your mind, never give up on sharing the stories that will positively impact others!
Q: Do you have a favorite book, poem, TV, or movie quote?
A: There is a lyric from the song “I’m Here" from the musical The Color Purple that says, "I believe I have inside of me everything that I need to live a bountiful life, and all the love alive in me., I’ll stand as tall as the tallest tree.”
Q: Would you write another book (or are you already writing another book)?
A: I would certainly write a second book! Angel Among Us is my authorial debut, but I've illustrated two children's titles in the past: Empty Shoes and The Sweet School Surprise, both of which were authored by Denise LaRosa.
Q: Is there an author you look up to, and why?
A: Maya Angelou was an artistic force who could move mountains with her words, her poetic style, and her captivating tone of delivery.
Q: If there were an apocalypse and you could only take five books into your doomsday bunker, what would they be?
A: I might have to smuggle six books into the bunker, and I’m pretty sure I would survive the apocalypse by rediscovering Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Like a Love Story, The Paris Architect, Number the Stars, Holes, and Little Women.
Nicholas Manning's new children's book, Angel Among Us, is coming soon February 10, 2026!