About Lani Wendt Young

Lani Young is an international bestselling author of YA fantasy, contemporary romance and literary fiction. The 2018 Pacific Laureate, her work is inspired by the diverse mythology of Oceania and the richness of her cultural heritage as a Samoan and Maori woman.

She is best known for the Telesā Series, the Telesā World books, the Scarlet Lies series, the Afakasi Woman collection, and the nonfiction book Pacific Tsunami: Galu Afi. Her stories have reached readers around the world, bringing Pacific voices, legends, and contemporary island life to a global audience. She is also the founder of TalaSamoa.com, Samoa’s first digital exporter. It supports and celebrates local writers and artists, providing a platform for monetizing their work.

Born and raised in Samoa, Lani studied in the United States and New Zealand before returning home to work as a high school English teacher. She published her first book in 2010 and went on to become a full-time writer and publisher.

In 2018, Lani was named the Pacific Laureate, recognizing her contribution to Pacific literature and storytelling. Today, she continues to write powerful, heartfelt, and culturally rich stories for young adults, adults, and children.

Lani lives in Samoa and New Zealand with her husband and five children.

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