Her mother was married to future Evansville Mayor Charles G. Covert, who resided in the jailhouse while he served a term as Vanderburgh County sheriff. Before her marriage in 1917, Nolan worked as a cub reporter at the Evansville Courier. But while a young mother, her interest in writing turned to children's literature. During her long career, Nolan published 50 books, mostly for children but including historical nonfiction.
Her many honors included being designated twice as Indiana Author of the Year.