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Meet Nancy

Learn more about author Nancy Thayer: her life on Nantucket, bestselling novels, and the inspiration behind her stories.

about the author

Celebrating the Everyday Joys (and Little Surprises) That Bring Us Together

The author of 38 novels, Nancy Thayer has spent nearly four decades finding warmth, humor, and connection in the simple moments that make life extraordinary. A longtime Nantucket resident, she fills her world and her writing with family, friendship, and the occasional serendipitous twist that reminds us to laugh, love, and look around.

Nancy lives in Nantucket with her husband Charley Walters and their spoiled cat Callie. Sometimes they invite their thousands of grandchildren to visit. She loves libraries, bookstores, and zoom parties.

Her novels have appeared on the New York Times best-seller lists, in Redbook, Good Housekeeping and Cosmo UK, and are translated into many languages.
Her novel Let It Snow was made into a Hallmark Christmas movie entitled Nantucket Noel in 2021.

A Fellow at the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference in 1983, she was awarded the RT 2015 Career Achievement Award for Mainstream Fiction.

Explore Her Books

Real Reviews, Real Impact

Critical Acclaim

“Readers who appreciate a busy, uplifting tale of friendship and romance will enjoy spending time on Thayer’s Nantucket.”
Publisher’s Weekly
in regards to Surfside Sisters
“Thayer has the knack of creating likeable characters who grapple with problems that will strike a chord with many readers.”
The Boston Globe
“Thayer’s latest is a tale of friendship lost and found, with light romantic elements and a touch of family drama…Fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Shelley Noble should add Surfside Sisters to their beach bag.”
Booklist
in regards to Surfside Sisters
“Nancy Thayer’s gift for reaching the emotional core of her characters is captivating.”
The Houston Chronicle
“Thayer portrays beautifully the small moments, inside stories and shared histories that build families. . .Summer House reminds us that life is complicated and that the simple pleasures of family togetherness are too precious to take granted.”
The Miami Herald
in regards to Summer House
“Beachcombers hits home for those of us who have loved, lost, and forgiven ourselves and others in the quest for love and serenity
Wichita Falls Times Record News
in regards to Beachcombers

Speaking & Events

Invite Nancy to Your Next Gathering

Nancy loves connecting with readers, book clubs, libraries, and community groups. For inquiries about talks, readings, or event appearances, feel free to reach out! She’d be delighted to hear from you.

Contact Nancy

Nancy In Shorts

Short Takes, Long Smiles

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nancythayerbooks

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Yes, I always wear my clothes to match my garden!

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Yes, I always wear my clothes to match my garden!

Yes, we have Dairy Boy on Nantucket.

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I`m working on my 2027 novel, and I just wrote, "My parents instilled in me a strong sense of wrong and write."
I need more coffee.
Also, my maiden name is Wright.
Nancy Wright.

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