Lani Wendt was born and raised in Samoa. She received her tertiary education in the USA and New Zealand. She has a degree in English Literature and Women's Studies and a Diploma in Education. Upon her return home to Samoa she worked as a secondary school English teacher and writer. Her short fiction has been published in Samoa, NZ, Australia and the UK. Her collection of short stories "Sleepless in Samoa" won the 2011 USP Press Fiction Award. She won the National University of Samoa writing competition in 2002 with 'A Sister's Story'. Her short story 'The Beast that Came from the Sea' was a Commendation Winner in the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition. She also writes stories for children that are used in primary school reading programs. Lani was commissioned in 2009 to write the narrative non-fiction book 'Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi' which is her first book. Her book 'TELESA The Covenant Keeper' is the first in a YA urban fantasy series. Lani is married to Darren Young and they have five children.