Sarah Thornley writing as Shaye Torrel
Sarah Thornley (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kurī) has always loved to make believe. After a brush with her mortality, she realised there’s no Someday to chase your Happily Ever After, only Today. Now she’s happily pursuing her life-long dream of writing. Sarah released her debut novel A Dark Dawn, an urban romantasy, earlier this year. She lives in Marlborough, where she was born and raised.
2024 festival sessions
Happy Ever Afters
Shaye Torrel, Cleo Browne and Sue Mackay in conversation with Courtney Clark Michaels
Four Marlborough authors share their journey to romance-writing success. Led by Courtney Clark Michaels, the writers discuss their initial attraction to writing romance and their long lasting commitment to the genre which promises readers a happy ending. They’ll also discuss how they turn their ideas into novels sold worldwide. The beauty of romance writing, Courtney says, is the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the themes that capture their attention.