Abiola Bello

Abiola Bello was born and raised in Stoke Newington, North London. She is a Nigerian-British author and first began writing the Emily Knight saga at 12 years old.

Abiola received rave reviews for her debut middle-grade book series. Emily Knight I am, published by Hashtag Press which she has written under A. Bello. Emily Knight I am...Awakened was released in September 2017, published by Hashtag Press. It was nominated for the Carnegie Medal 2019, winner of London's Big Read 2019 and a finalist for 'Best Children's Book' for the People's Book Prize 2019.Emily Knight I am..Becoming, published by Hashtag Press is the third book in the award-winning series was released in September 2020 to strong reviews. Book 4 and the last in the series is due by 2023.

The Very Merry Murder Club published by Farshore on October 28th 2021 is a number 1 bestseller, The Bookseller 'One to Watch' and was featured in The Guardian's Children's and Teens Novel Roundup. It was Waterstones November Children's Book of the Month and shortlisted for The Diverse Book Awards 2022.

Abiola signed a 6-figure 3 book deal with Simon & Schuster in September 2021. Her YA debut Love In Winter Wonderland is a number 1 bestseller, The Bookseller 'One to Watch,' an Amazon's Editor's Choice and was featured as one of the Guardian's Best New Novels. Love In Winter Wonderland was featured on the Leicester Square billboard throughout November as part of Amazon's Amplify Black Voices Campaign for Black History Month.

Abiola won The London Book Fair Trailblazer Awards 2018 and is currently on the advisory board for World Book Day UK.

As well as being a writer, Abiola is a professional dancer. She has performed for more than a decade in prestigious venues including The Royal Opera House, The Barbican, Sadler's Wells, Hammersmith Apollo, Stratford Theatre Royal. Abiola has also appeared on The Apprentice, Got To Dance and Street Dance AllStars The Movie.