D A (Dawn Ann) Nelson was born in Glasgow and grew up south of the city in the village of Neilston. She started her career as a journalist on local newspapers, going on to work for some national newspapers before deciding journalism wasn't for her and jumping ship into PR. Her first job as a press officer was for a political party and she's also worked for a local authority and two West of Scotland Health Boards.

Writing fiction has always been something Dawn has done: as a young child, she wrote and illustrated her own little books. Dawn's first novel, DarkIsle, is an exciting children's fantasy set in the West of Scotland and ending up on the mythical island of Murst. The book was inspired by the dragon on Irvine Beach - a sculpture by artist Roy Fitzsimmons - and one that Dawn has always loved.