For NWU alumnus An-Mari do Carmo, stories have always been a way of seeing the world; a way to connect, to heal and to dream.
An-Mari do Carmo is an award-winning writer, editor and bookworm. Credit: Mejandra Photography
Growing up homeschooled on a farm near Lichtenburg, her earliest adventures unfolded not in bustling classrooms, but between the pages of library books.
The magical world of books
A path shaped by
craft and courage
Her path to success was shaped in part by her time studying language and literary studies at the NWU, where she learned not only the craft of writing, but also the courage to tell her own truth.
She fondly remembers her creative writing lecturer, Prof. Franci Greyling, encouraging her to draw from her unique lived experiences. “Years later, I did write that book,” she smiles, referring to her award-winning debut Toe als groen was (When all was green). This book earned her her first ATKV Woordveertjie Award, as well as the Desmond Tutu-Gerrit Brand Award.
She describes that first novel as deeply personal - a reflection of her childhood in the KwaSizabantu Mission – an experience she later recognised was part of a religious cult. Writing became a form of healing, and through it, she found her voice.
“Although awards are wonderful and validating, it is the messages from readers that mean the most. Hearing that my books touched someone’s life makes it all worthwhile.”
“Books were my friends,” she recalls fondly.
“On our weekly trips into town, my mom would drop me off at the library while she went shopping. I loved being surrounded by the quiet and the shelves of stories waiting to be discovered.”
Those quiet moments of imagination have since blossomed into a celebrated literary career. An-Mari has now won her second ATKV Woordveertjie Award, this time for Foto’s en fairy lights (Photos and fairy lights), a heartfelt story inspired by her own childhood memories of farm life, family and finding joy in small moments.
Now both an author and an editor, An-Mari has built a career around words. She balances the technical precision of editing with the creativity of storytelling, often reminding herself of her favourite writing mantra: “Just make it exist first. You can make it good later.”
Her stories often carry themes of faith, resilience and neurodiversity. Diagnosed with autism and ADHD in her late twenties, she sees representation as vital. “It is incredibly important for kids to see themselves in the characters they read about,” she says. “I want them to know that their dreams are valid and attainable, even if their brains work differently.”
“Winning a second Woordveertjie feels like both a celebration and a reassurance,” she says. “Writers often talk about ‘second book syndrome’, the fear that your next story will not measure up. So, this award came with an immense sense of relief,” she laughs. “It is a reminder that my first success was not just luck.”
What fills your heart flows into your life
“My faith is my foundation, a core part of who I am. I believe God gave me both the ability and the desire to write, and I want to use that to glorify Him. Whatever fills your heart and mind naturally flows into your life and your words, and I have found that to be true in my writing.”
Looking ahead, An-Mari is already working on her next book, Net na die storm (Just after the storm), set to be released in May 2026. It is a teen adventure story she hints will be filled with excitement and heart.
And when she is not writing or editing, she finds joy in the simple things like perfecting her sourdough baking, improving her embroidery, or going on hikes with her husband and their dogs.
An-Mari’s story is a beautiful reminder that even the smallest beginnings can grow into stories that touch the hearts of many.
Read more about An-Mari here.
A passion for words leads to a fulfilling career
An-Mari is already working on her next book, set to be released in May 2026.
An-Mari lives in Klerksdorp and loves to go hiking. Here she is with her husband, Walter, and their dog, Nina.
For NWU alumnus An-Mari do Carmo, stories have always been a way of seeing the world; a way to connect, to heal and to dream.
An-Mari do Carmo is an award-winning writer, editor and bookworm. Credit: Mejandra Photography
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Growing up homeschooled on a farm near Lichtenburg, her earliest adventures unfolded not in bustling classrooms, but between the pages of library books.
The magical
world of books
A path shaped by
craft and courage
Her path to success was shaped in part by her time studying language and literary studies at the NWU, where she learned not only the craft of writing, but also the courage to tell her own truth.
She fondly remembers her creative writing lecturer, Prof. Franci Greyling, encouraging her to draw from her unique lived experiences. “Years later, I did write that book,” she smiles, referring to her award-winning debut Toe als groen was (When all was green). This book earned her her first ATKV Woordveertjie Award, as well as the Desmond Tutu-Gerrit Brand Award.
She describes that first novel as deeply personal - a reflection of her childhood in the KwaSizabantu Mission – an experience she later recognised was part of a religious cult. Writing became a form of healing, and through it, she found her voice.
“Although awards are wonderful and validating, it is the messages from readers that mean the most. Hearing that my books touched someone’s life makes it all worthwhile.”
“Books were my friends,” she recalls fondly.
“On our weekly trips into town, my mom would drop me off at the library while she went shopping. I loved being surrounded by the quiet and the shelves of stories waiting to be discovered.”
Those quiet moments of imagination have since blossomed into a celebrated literary career. An-Mari has now won her second ATKV Woordveertjie Award, this time for Foto’s en fairy lights (Photos and fairy lights), a heartfelt story inspired by her own childhood memories of farm life, family and finding joy in small moments.
Now both an author and an editor, An-Mari has built a career around words. She balances the technical precision of editing with the creativity of storytelling, often reminding herself of her favourite writing mantra: “Just make it exist first. You can make it good later.”
Her stories often carry themes of faith, resilience and neurodiversity. Diagnosed with autism and ADHD in her late twenties, she sees representation as vital. “It is incredibly important for kids to see themselves in the characters they read about,” she says. “I want them to know that their dreams are valid and attainable, even if their brains work differently.”
“Winning a second Woordveertjie feels like both a celebration and a reassurance,” she says. “Writers often talk about ‘second book syndrome’, the fear that your next story will not measure up. So, this award came with an immense sense of relief,” she laughs. “It is a reminder that my first success was not just luck.”
What fills your heart flows into your life
“My faith is my foundation, a core part of who I am. I believe God gave me both the ability and the desire to write, and I want to use that to glorify Him. Whatever fills your heart and mind naturally flows into your life and your words, and I have found that to be true in my writing.”
Looking ahead, An-Mari is already working on her next book, Net na die storm (Just after the storm), set to be released in May 2026. It is a teen adventure story she hints will be filled with excitement and heart.
And when she is not writing or editing, she finds joy in the simple things like perfecting her sourdough baking, improving her embroidery, or going on hikes with her husband and their dogs.
An-Mari’s story is a beautiful reminder that even the smallest beginnings can grow into stories that touch the hearts of many.
Read more about An-Mari here.
A passion for words leads to a fulfilling career
An-Mari is already working on her next book, set to be released in May 2026.
An-Mari lives in Klerksdorp and loves to go hiking. Here she is with her husband, Walter, and their dog, Nina.