Astrid V.J.

I am an award-winning and USA Today Bestselling South African author, social anthropologist, and transformational life coach now living in Sweden. I am happily married and we have two children.

I started writing my first novel at age 12 and kept writing throughout my teens. In my twenties, I began doubting myself and the idea of publishing my writing. After battling my demons, I came to the conclusion in 2019 that I should just go ahead and publish some of the books I'd already written. I haven't looked back!

Elisabeth and Edvard's World is my first series, starting with the two-part Siblings' Tale series and since November 2019 including the prequel Gisela's Passion. These are all fairy tale retellings set in my fantasy universe "the kingdom of Vendale".

I am currently working on a sci-fi/fantasy cross-over. The Wishmaster series and am continuing with my fairy tales retelling series Elisabeth and Edvard's World.
Forthcoming titles are:
Wishmaster series: Finding the Way, Becoming Spellwright, Master Wordmage

In the spinoff series, The Wordmage's Tales: The Companion's Tale, The Sewing Princess, The Artist and His Muse, The Last Warrior, Warring Lions, The Destitute Countess, Silvana's Trial.

In Elisabeth and Edvard's World:
Naiya's Wish, The Lion, the Lark and the Lady, Firmament, Down the Well, Johara's Choice.

I also love giving back to society and have joined several charity projects. Enchanted Waters is a collection of fantasy short stories about magical water creatures and all proceeds are going to Oceana to support their work in protecting our oceans from over fishing and helping maintain marine biodiversity. The authors who worked with me on Enchanted Waters have decided to do another charity anthology, Enchnated Forests, to raise money towards forest/woodland conservation.

When I'm not writing or working on my day job, I enjoy reading, doing embroidery, playing with my children, playing the violin or just taking a tranquil walk in the Swedish countryside.