Picture a storyteller who survived hurricanes, runs ultramarathons, and spins magical tales from a Kansas home far from the sea—meet Sarah Henning! This former journalist turned young adult author captivates readers with her imaginative retellings, like Sea Witch, a dark twist on The Little Mermaid. Her stories blend heart, grit, and fantasy, reflecting the resilience she’s honed in life.
Henning’s journey from newsrooms to novels is as dynamic as her heroines. With a knack for crafting worlds where magic meets human struggle, she’s carved a niche in young adult fantasy and contemporary romance. Let’s dive into her story, from stormy Florida shores to the pages of her unforgettable books.
The Making of Sarah Henning
Born and raised with a love for storytelling, Sarah Henning started as a journalist, working for outlets like the Palm Beach Post and Kansas City Star. Living in South Florida, she weathered five hurricanes, an experience that deepened her respect for the ocean’s power—a theme that ripples through her work. After moving to Lawrence, Kansas, with her husband Justin and their two kids, she traded deadlines for drafts, channeling her curiosity and tenacity into fiction. Her debut, Sea Witch, marked her shift from reporting facts to crafting fantastical worlds.
Henning’s journalism background sharpened her ability to weave vivid, grounded narratives. Her life as an ultramarathoner—pushing through grueling races—mirrors the determination in her characters, who face impossible odds with courage. This blend of real-world grit and creative spark set the stage for her rise as an author.
Sarah Henning’s Unforgettable Stories
Henning’s bibliography shines with young adult fantasy and contemporary tales. Her debut, Sea Witch (2018), reimagines the origin of The Little Mermaid’s sea witch, Ursula, through Evie, a young woman grappling with loss, magic, and love. Its sequel, Sea Witch Rising (2019), explores sisterhood and sacrifice, alternating between Evie and mermaid Runa. Both books weave ocean-inspired magic with emotional depth, earning praise for their lyrical prose and complex characters.
Beyond fantasy, Henning excels in contemporary YA. Throw Like a Girl (2020) follows a softball pitcher turned quarterback, blending sports, romance, and underdog spirit. The Princess Will Save You (2020), the first in her Kingdoms of Sand and Sky series, flips fairy-tale tropes with a fierce heroine who rescues her prince. Henning’s style—vivid, heartfelt, and often surprising—brings fresh twists to familiar genres, appealing to teens and adults alike.
Her 2024 release, The Lies We Conjure, a supernatural thriller, showcases her versatility, mixing witches, murder, and a locked-room mystery. With upcoming titles like Such a Witch (2026), a romcom-mystery hybrid, Henning continues to push boundaries, balancing humor, heart, and suspense.
Why Sarah Henning Matters
Sarah Henning’s work resonates because it mirrors her life: resilient, multifaceted, and deeply human. Her reimagined fairy tales empower young readers, especially girls, to embrace their strength and complexity. By blending real-world issues—like grief in Sea Witch or teamwork in Throw Like a Girl—with fantastical elements, she crafts stories that feel both timeless and timely.
Henning’s impact extends beyond books. As a mother and ultramarathoner, she inspires fans to chase their passions, whether on the page or the trail. Her Kansas roots, far from the ocean that shaped her early years, ground her stories in a unique perspective, making her a standout voice in YA literature.
- Born: Details unavailable, but she’s a Kansas resident.
- Key Works: Sea Witch (2018), Sea Witch Rising (2019), Throw Like a Girl (2020), The Princess Will Save You (2020).
- Notable: Her middle-grade book Monster Camp (2023) was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award.
Snag Sea Witch and dive into Sarah Henning’s spellbinding world of magic and heart!