About Us

Hannah Hill

A portrait picture of Hannah Hill, of the Bound by Books podcast

Hello!

I’m Hannah. Born in London, I’ve also lived in Hull, Northampton, and even Australia before planting roots in Wales fifteen years ago to run my very own magazine publishing business. Last year, my husband, daughter, our slightly bossy dog, and I moved into a several-hundred-year-old “doer-upper” cottage nestled in the heart of the Brecon Beacons. It’s got charm, character and the occasional squeaky floorboard. It’s certainly a project, but I love it.

Community means a lot to me and I keep my fingers in plenty of local pies. Alongside running my business, I’m a behaviour analyst with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder. I also occasionally interview authors and chefs for book events and festivals.

Life for me is best served slow: morning coffee with a mountain view, gentle hill walks (nothing that requires crampons, thanks), holidaying along wild Welsh coastlines, birdwatching (I’m holding out for a pet crow), baking, journaling (and all the stationery that comes with it) and occasionally disappearing down the rabbit hole of comforting TikTok content.

I met Nikki at university - both of us studying Creative Writing - and we clicked instantly. Despite a ten-year age gap and living on opposite sides of the country, we’ve stayed close, bonded by our shared obsession with books and storytelling.

When it comes to reading, I’m an eclectic soul with a soft spot for modern literature sprinkled with a dash of magical realism. Favourite authors include Sarah Winman, Kate Moreton, Patrick Gayle, and Joanne Harris. I love poetry - Simon Armitage and Seamus Heaney are favourites of mine.

Some books that have stuck with me are: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan, Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, Still Life by Sarah Winman, A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gayle and The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson. Honestly, narrowing it down is like picking a favourite star in the sky.

I’m so excited to be embarking on this reading adventure with you and Nikki. Who knows? Nikki might even drag me into a world of goblins, sword-wielding trolls and epic quests… and I’ll probably love every minute.

Nikki Poulton

A portrait picture of Nikki Poulton, of the Bound by Books podcast

Hello!

I’m Nikki. Born in London and a true North West Londoner at heart, I’ve lived all over the city (plus a brief, ill-advised stint in Portsmouth) before settling in East London with my slightly silly tabby, Olive. While I dream of a project home one day, today is very much not that day!

I work in membership marketing, but outside of that, I’m working on the first in a series of historical paranormal novels that I hope to indie publish one day. In a previous life, I was a knitting YouTuber, and I’m now relaunching a new channel, but this time with more books, history, writing, journaling, and, yes, a little knitting too.

I’m a massive theatre and Shakespeare nerd, I try to see at least one play a year (if it’s at The Globe, even better!), and living in London means I can pop into the latest exhibitions or talks at the V&A or Natural History Museum. Annual highlights like HistFest at the British Library are also firmly in my calendar. History, dinosaurs, books, theatre - grab your coat, you’re coming with me.

Hannah and I have always been obsessed with storytelling - whether in books, TV, film, or even the news and our own lives. We often catch ourselves saying, “If this was a book, here’s what would happen…”

When it comes to reading, I’m firmly in the fantasy and historical corner. Epic, high, urban - you name it, I’ll read it. Historical novels and non-fiction are also my jam. Favourite authors include Holly Black, Sarah J. Maas, Gareth Russell, Emily Henry, Nicola Tallis, and TJ Green.

Some books that have really stuck with me: The Cruel Prince trilogy by Holly Black, House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas, Still Life by Sarah Winman, Restoration by Rose Tremain, Not Good for Maidens by Tori Bovalino, and Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson.

I’m almost always listening to a podcast - historical ones mostly, but true crime and spooky stories often sneak in too. Some favourites include: Rex Factor, Gone Medieval, After Dark, Uncanny, Ghost Story and Betwixt the Sheets.

I hope this podcast will be your companion, whether you’re cleaning, commuting, or just looking for company. And yes, please join me in dragging Hannah into the wonderful, chaotic world of fantasy too!