I’ve spent time with North East motorcycle clubs for research for my book series
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A South Shields-born author has become fully immersed in motorcycle club culture.
Nik Terry, who is originally from South Shields but now lives in Hetton, has revealed how she has spent time with motorcycle clubs across the North East for her current book series, ‘The Northern Kings MC’.
The 43-year-old wanted to understand the culture, loyalty, hierarchy, and realities behind the myths that come with the clubs in order to give her characters a more realistic feel.
Nik has given an insight into how she got involved with the motorcycle clubs and revealed how various members have been helping her with her book series.
She said: “I had already written some of the books as they are a spin off from another series that I’ve previously done but in August, I ran into two bikers and decided that I would ask them a few questions.
“I was then invited to the Hells Angels bar in Hendon where I got chatting to more bikers and it just all took off from there - I’ve even been to the Hells Angels Christmas party, which was incredible.
“I’ve then visited a number of different motorcycle clubs across the North East and they’ve been helping me make sure I get the lore right or mentioning the right types of bikes.
“All of the clubs have been taking me into the fold and they’ve all been really helpful - it has been absolutely fascinating and I’ve had loads of invites to go and meet more clubs.
“Through meeting all the bikers, I’ve found that there is a level of respect among all of the members in these clubs and I haven’t been able to completely nail that feeling yet in my books.
“It seems to boil down to having the right manners and treating each other equally so trying to write that into the books is my next challenge because it will help make my characters far more in-depth.”
Nik will be appearing at Electric Beacon Books, on Albemarle Street, in South Shields, from 6.30pm on Thursday, February 12, where she will be showcasing her work.
It will be her first-ever in-person event as an author and she has expressed how important it is for her and other members of the public to be able to support local independent businesses.
Nik added: “As an independent author, it is really difficult to get a claw into the industry because there is a lot more people with bigger contacts or more money to put into it.
“So because of that, I can see how difficult it would be for an independent bookshop to be able to do the same.
“We’re losing things on the high street and if we’re not careful, we are going to lose it completely so I think it is really important that we support bookshops.
“Electric Beacon Books is going to have the same challenges as I do as an independent author so it is all about supporting local businesses.
“It is absolutely fantastic that they are willing to support me so it has been fabulous that they’ve taken an interest in my books and given me an opportunity to showcase them in their shop.
“I’m slightly worried because it is my first in-person event that I’ve done but I think I will enjoy it.”
You can find out more about Nik and her books by visiting: https://www.facebook.com/NikTerryRomance or https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Nik-Terry/author/B09MNPZX3N.
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