samantha de la porté

I’ve loved words for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, I was drawn to the rhythm of language and how a single sentence could change how someone feels. That quiet fascination grew into something deeper when I won a national poetry contest in 2008. It was the moment I realised just how powerful storytelling could be. From there, I began writing poems about love, longing and the beauty of being human. Those early years were full of late nights spent chasing the right line, moments of connection with readers, and even the honour of performing a commissioned piece for a government Women’s Day event. No matter what recognition came my way, I’ve always seen writing as something personal, a way to understand myself and to connect with others. Over time, life took me in different directions, and I stepped away from writing for a while, though words were never far from my mind. I returned briefly in 2014, but it wasn’t until 2021 that I truly found my way back. That year, inspiration seemed to appear everywhere — in my relationships, my memories and the quiet moments that often go unnoticed. Writing became more than an outlet; it became a return to who I am. In moments of reflection, I found comfort in the limitless world of fantasy. What began as a small escape soon became The Ashes of Eyrondale, a story that grew into a five-book journey about love, memory and power. This series became my way of exploring what it means to heal, to fall, and to find ourselves again through the worlds we create. It’s more than a story to me; it’s a reminder that imagination can transform us, if we let it. Every page I write is filled with gratitude and wonder. Sharing these worlds feels like sharing a piece of my heart with anyone who still believes in a little bit of magic.