A love letter to Sunderland: Debut Mackem Novel Hits the Shelves

Introducing: Ponies on the Riviera - A Sunderland story that rides through hardship, hope, and hometown pride

A Wearside-born female writer has captured the soul of Sunderland in a powerful debut novel spanning 25 years of grit, humour, and heart.

Author Nicky Moon has written a debut novel set entirely in Sunderland written with an unmistakable Mackem dialect and is making waves for its raw honesty and deep sense of place. 

Ponies on the Riviera tells the story of Paula, a girl growing up on Wearside in the 1970s and 80s who dreams of freedom, symbolised by her love of horses, while navigating poverty, family struggles, and the rough edges of life in post-industrial Britain.

Told with dark humour, empathy, and unmistakable Mackem wit, the kitchen sink novel captures the rhythm and resilience of Sunderland life through decades of change. From the seaside donkey rides of Roker Beach to the rise of the right-to-buy generation, it’s a story that could only have come from this city - one that celebrates survival, strength, and the pride of being from Sunderland.

A science writer by day, author Nicky Moon explains: “This book isn’t just set in Sunderland - it’s born of it. The characters speak the way we speak; they see the world the way we see it. Ponies on the Riviera is a love letter to the people who make the place what it is today. The book explores how working-class women have limited choices, yet they are fierce, resourceful, and loyal. So, after 25 years of living ‘down South’, I decided to put pen to paper and write this epic Mackem novel while weeping into my Villa Sasp!”

The book, spanning from 1976 to 2001, mirrors main character Paula’s journey with Sunderland’s own transformation - through hardship, humour, and the enduring hope that defines the North East’s identity. At its heart, Ponies on the Riviera is a tribute to every Mackem who’s ever dared to dream bigger, loved fiercely, and fought to make a better life.

Author Nicky was born and raised in Grindon, Sunderland and draws heavily on the city’s landscapes and language to create an authentic backdrop. From Roker to Great Lumley, from council estates to open countryside, the novel showcases the region’s contrasts - and its beauty. The front cover illustration was also designed by author Nicky and pays homage to her grandparent’s family home where she spent her childhood.

Ponies on the Riviera is available now via A Love Supreme using the link below, or can be purchased on Amazon via: https://bit.ly/48vn1or

For media enquiries, additional photography, interviews, or to review a copy of Ponies on the Riviera, please contact:

●      Sophie Robinson, Owner, Word of Mouth Communications

●      E: sophie@wordofmouthcomms.com