A TEENAGE writer has published a novel and a collection of poetry – just weeks after a masterclass with a former Wales poet laureate.

Nikita Bliss Thomas, 17, from Rhuddlan, won a competition to win a week's personal tutoring from poet Gillian Clarke at Ty Newydd, the National Writing Centre of Wales at Llanystumdwy, last autumn.

Writing under the name Nikita Bliss, the Rhyl Sixth student has published a gothic vampire-tale novel, The Ambrose Clique, and a collection of poems, entitled Mutations.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted to have two books published in such a short time.

"Working alongside a poet laureate was exhilarating. It has certainly been a whirlwind 12 months.”

Nikita is studying for A-levels in psychology, English literature and creative writing at Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhyl Sixth Centre and is hoping to study creative writing and multimedia journalism at university.