Nalini Singh
Nalini Singh is New Zealand’s rock star of romance and a bestselling thriller author with more than three dozen novels and a devoted global following. Best known for her Psy-Changeling, Guild Hunter, and Rock Kiss series, Nalini has captured the hearts of readers worldwide. Since her debut in 2003, her books have been translated into more than 20 languages, including German, French, Japanese, and Turkish. Nalini is a two-time Sir Julius Vogel Award winner. Her novel Alpha Night won Favourite Paranormal Romance at the 2020 Australian Romance Readers Awards, and her 2021 thriller Quiet in Her Bones was a finalist for Best Crime Novel at the 2022 Ngaio Marsh Awards. Born in Fiji and raised in Auckland, she holds an honours degree in Law and English Literature from the University of Auckland.
2025 festival sessions
Romance Rockstar, Crime Queen
Nalini Singh in conversation with Courtney Clark Michaels
6.15pm-7.45pm, Saturday 19 July, Anderson Theatre, ASB Theatre Marlborough $25
Join international bestselling author Nalini Singh for a 90-minute dive into her paranormal and fantasy romance novels and compelling murder mystery stories. Nalini will reflect on her remarkable writing career and delve into her approach to crafting unforgettable characters—from fierce heroines to irresistible alpha heroes—and building immersive worlds filled with tension, desire, and danger. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with Nalini, hosted by Marlborough-based romance writer Courtney Clark Michaels. Bring your questions and book early, this session will sell out fast!
Buy tickets
Worlds of her Own
Workshop with Nalini Singh, introduction by Courtney Clark Michaels
10.30am-12.30pm, Saturday 19 July, Marlborough District Library at Te Kahu o Waipuna, $40
Join internationally bestselling author Nalini Singh for a two-hour writing workshop focused on the art of world-building. Richly imagined worlds are key to immersing readers and bringing your story to life. In this two hour session, Nalini will guide participants through the essential elements of world building. Drawing on her own experience crafting bestselling series set in everything from supernatural realms to contemporary New Zealand, Nalini will share practical strategies for world building. This workshop is ideal for emerging and established writers alike, offering both inspiration and tangible tools.
Buy tickets
Book Chats with Book Lovers
Nalini Singh and Olivia Spooner in conversation with Tania Miller
12:00pm-1:00pm, Sunday 20 July, Anderson Theatre, ASB Theatre Marlborough, $25
A session to reignite your love of reading! Enjoy hearing passionate readers (who are also wonderful writers) talk about the books they love. Think of this session as listening into conversations at the coolest book club in town: Nalini Singh, an internationally bestselling writer of romance and crime thrillers, and Olivia Spooner, bestselling author, book store owner and member of not one, but two book clubs, discuss their lifelong loves of reading, writing and talking about books. Nalini and Olivia will also reflect on stories by other writers that have inspired and influenced the stories they have chosen to pursue as authors and shaped their writing style. Tania Miller brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for books to her role as interviewer for this session.
Buy tickets