Fantasy writer back home for NZ launch

HOMETOWN MAGIC: Fantasy author and Fernridge School old girl Shayla Morgansen will launch the first two novels from her sextet The Elm Stone Saga - Chosen and Scarred - at Hedley's Bookshop from 2pm on Saturday. PHOTO/DAMSEL IN A DRESS

Fantasy author and Fernridge School old girl Shayla Morgansen returns home to Masterton on Saturday for the New Zealand launch of the first two books in her debut sextet The Elm Stone Saga.

Proud grandfather Len Taplin said Ms Morgansen, 25, was this week flying back from Queensland, where she works as a school teacher, for the launch at Hedley's Bookshop on Saturday of Chosen and Scarred, the first two books respectively in the fantasy series.

He and wife Pat were looking forward to the weekend visit of their grand-daughter, who is engaged to be married, and their daughter Kareena Morgansen, who works in her adopted home of Brisbane in tattoo removal and cosmetics.

"Kareena was daddy's girl from day one and Shayla was, and still is, grand-dad's girl. I am very proud."

Ms Morgansen said teachers at Fernridge School had first ignited her enthusiasm for storytelling and were "instrumental in nourishing my love of writing", and Hedley's Bookshop had been an essential part of her childhood and early years as a budding writer.

"The first bookstore I remember, is the classically beautiful Hedley's in Masterton and I am very proud to be able to launch my novels nationally in my childhood bookstore."

Visits were taken to Wairarapa "every few years to recharge my batteries and reconnect with my roots - there is no place quite like home", she said.

Ms Morgansen, who is a fulltime teacher at Kimberley Park State School in south Brisbane, started writing The Elm Stone Saga in her teens after discovering the names Aristea and Renatus - lead characters in the saga - in a names origin book.

Ms Morgansen boasts a background in drama and an abiding adoration of new age and science fiction, both of which influence her writing choices.

She is a graduate and part-time student at Griffith University.

The devoted Star Wars, Trekkie, Stargate fan self-published her first two books in Brisbane and the volumes have sold in seven different countries since their release in April, she said.

"The incredible cover art was done by my close school friend Laura-Jane MacNamara and ultimately the saga will include six novels."

The sextet is set in contemporary Ireland and traces the magical apprenticeship of Aristea, as her involvement deepens with the political leaders of magic, The White Elm Council, "and in particular their most controversial member Renatus, in their struggles against a former brother".

The New Zealand book launch of Chosen and Scarred will be held from 2pm on Saturday at Hedley's Bookshop, where each book will be available for purchase and signing by the author. Entry to the launch is free.