Biography – Fanie Viljoen

Fanie Viljoen was born on 2 January 1970 and went to school in Welkom (South Africa). If it was up to him, he would still be in grade 1 today. He never liked advancing to a new grade with each passing year.

Although Fanie wrote good essays at school, he never thought he would become a writer one day. He now spends his days writing, illustrating or dreaming up new ideas for stories. Being this creative is surely the best job in the world.

Here are some more things you might not know about Fanie:

His first job was as a teller in a bank.
He was a trainer at Sanlam Insurance.
His first short story was published in the woman’s magazine Sarie.
He wrote numerous radio plays, including one about a granddad who found himself a girlfriend.
Many of his books have won literary prizes.
Fanie loves art and even studied it after school. In his spare time you’ll find him at his easel, working on a new oil painting. (He even illustrated some of his own books.)
Fanie has a very sweet tooth. Honey, dates, nougat and chocolates are his absolute favorites!
Fanie kept silk worms when he was in primary school. One nearly crawled down his throat when he placed it on his tongue!
To relax, Fanie enjoys listens to music, reading or going to the gym. (But he doesn’t really like getting tired!)
Fanie stays in Bloemfontein (South Africa).

The following books have already been published:

English

Springbookaroo (2024) Lapa Publishers
Band Aids for the Dead (2024) Lapa Publishers
Meatball, the ghost dog (2024) Lapa Publishers
Jump – South African edition (2023) Lapa Publishers
Sacrifice to the flies (2022) Lapa Publishers
Dreamers (2022) Penguin Random House SA
The last time I died – graphic novel (2021) Penguin Random House SA
Pixel (2020) Lapa Publishers
The last time I died (2016) Ransom Publishing
Scarred Lions (new edition – 2016) Ransom Publishing
Jump – UK edition (2015) Ransom Publishing
Scarred Lions (2011) Ransom Publishing
MindF**k (2010) Ransom Publishing

Albanian

Theror për Mizat (2023) Albanese vertaling van Offers vir die Vlieë, Ombra GVG Publishing House

French

MindF**k (2010) Original Books

Afrikaans

Ons laaste legendariese somer (2024) Lapa Uitgewers
Jani Jonker gloei in die donker (2024) Lapa Uitgewers
Springboekie (2024) Lapa Publishers
Frikkadel, die spookhond (2024) Lapa Publishers
Ouma Mollie gaan terug skool toe (2023) Lapa Publishers
Krag (2023) Lapa Publishers
Die lewe se vuil houe (2023) Lapa Publishers
Wêreld van Wolwe: Derde Mag (2022) Lapa Publishers
Sneeuman-swem (2022) Lapa Publishers
Aksieheld Austin: Doodskreet van die Dino’s (2021) Lapa Publishers
Wêreld van Wolwe: Tweede Asem (2021) Lapa Publishers
Vampierhokkie (2021) Lapa Publishers
Briewe van Mieliepit (2021) Lapa Publishers
Flippie word ‘n vlieg (2021) Lapa Publishers
Ouma Mollie en die Mensvreter (2021) Lapa Publishers
Coucou, Lulu (2021) Lapa Publishers
Wêreld van Wolwe: Eerste Bloed (2020) Lapa Publishers
Offers vir die Vlieë (2020) Lapa Publishers
Laaste Lewe (2020) Lapa Publishers
Donker Web (2020) Tafelberg Publishers
Doendinge (2020) Lapa Publishers
Môre as ons groot is (2020) Lapa Publishers
Olke bolke, Lulu (2019) Lapa Publishers
Iemand wat verdrink en ander verhale (2019) Lapa Publishers
Brand (2019) Tafelberg Publishers
Pieksel (2019) Lapa Publishers
Aksieheld Austin: Onheil op Skedelbaai (2019) Lapa Publishers
Nova omnibus 2 (2019) Lapa Publishers
The day the dragon came (for girls) (2019) Human & Rousseau Publishers
The day the dragon came (for boys) (2019) Human & Rousseau Publishers
Die dag toe die draak kom (vir meisies) (2019) Human & Rousseau Publishers
Die dag toe die draak kom (vir seuns) (2019) Human & Rousseau Publishers
Hokaai, Lulu (2018) Lapa Publishers
Die groot boek van spoke en grille (2018) Lapa Publishers
Nova omnibus 1 (2018) Lapa Publishers
Veldiep (2018) Tafelberg Publishers
Slym se Stories (2018) Lapa Publishers
Aksieheld Austin: Nag van Grille (2018) Lapa Publishers
La-di-da, Lulu (2017) Lapa Publishers
Krappie en die Kroon (2017) Human & Rousseau Publishers
Dromers (2017) Lapa Publishers
Aksieheld Austin: Operasie Sabotasie (2017) Lapa Publishers
Jou Romeo (2016) Tafelberg Publishers
Oepse Daisy, Lulu (2016) Lapa Publishers
Kaptein Verdwyn (2016) Lapa Publishers
Monsterrugby (2016) Lapa Publishers
Afkop (2016) Lapa Publishers
Die geheime bestanddeel in Petra Pienk se Piesangbrood (reissue 2015) Lapa Publishers
Bravo, Lulu (2015) Lapa Publishers
Prooi (2015) Lapa Publishers
Plons (2014) Lapa Publishers
Uit (2014) Lapa Publishers
Pleisters vir die Dooies (2014) Lapa Publishers
Nova: Eindspel (2014) Lapa Publishers
Slym en die Towertapyt (2014) Lapa Publishers
Galop (2013) Lapa Publishers
Koue Rillings (2013) Lapa Publishers
Oe la la, Lulu (2013) Lapa Publishers
Spring (2013) Lapa Publishers
Nova: Sterreloper (2013) Lapa Publishers
Leeus met Letsels (2012) Human & Rousseau Publishers
Nog 13 Spookstories – with co-authors Francois Bloemhof and Jaco Jacobs (2012) Lapa Publishers
Nova: Bloedbroers (2012) Lapa Publishers
Betower (2012) Lapa Publishers
Grilbrigade (2011) Human & Rousseau Publishers
Klou (2011) Lapa Publishers
Nova: Vuurdoop (2011) Lapa Publishers
Nova: Die Begin (2010) Lapa Publishers
13 Spookstories with co-authors Francois Bloemhof and Jaco Jacobs (2010) Lapa Publishers
Slym en die beker van geluk (2009) Lapa Publishers
Kaptein Hamerkophaai (2009) Tafelberg Publishers
Onderwêreld (2008) Tafelberg Publishers
Die geheime bestanddeel in Petra Pienk se piesangbrood (2008) Human & Rousseau Publishers
Klits Kronkel en die Vloek van die Swart Jakkals (2008) Tafelberg Publishers
Miserella (2007) Human & Rousseau Publishers
Klits Kronkel en die Vlammende Swaard (2007) Tafelberg Publishers
Slym en die Gogga-sirkus (2007) Lapa Publishers
Geraamte in die klas (2006 and new edition in 2021) Human & Rousseau Publishers
Spoke en ander gruwelike goed (2005) Human & Rousseau Publishers
BreinBliksem (2005) Tafelberg Publishers
Slym (2004) Lapa Publishers

Nonfiction

Die klein boek van skitterende speelgoed (2022) Lapa Publishers
Die klein boek van hipercool hondetoertjies (2022) Lapa Publishers
Die klein boek van mal modes (2022) Lapa Publishers
Die klein boek van skouspelagtige sport (2022) Lapa Publishers
Die klein boek van nog fantastiese feite (2021) Lapa Publishers
Die klein boek van toweragtige toertjies (2021) Lapa Publishers
Die klein boek van grappige gewoontes (2021) Lapa Publishers
Die klein boek van skrikwekkende spoke (2021) Lapa Publishers
Die klein boek van fantastiese feite (2020) Lapa Publishers
Die klein boek van gruwelike geheime (2020) Lapa Publishers
Die klein boek van katastrofiese kattekwaad (2020) Lapa Publishers
Die klein boek van reuse-rekords (2020) Lapa Publishers
Die wonderwêreld van soogdiere – (2014) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van walvisse en dolfyne – (2014) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van reptiele en amfibieë – (2015) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van goggas – (2015) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van voëls – (2015) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van dinosourusse – (2015) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van roofdiere – (2016) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van troeteldiere – (2016) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van plaasdiere – (2016) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van die groot vyf – (2016) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van babadiere – (2017) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van vreemde diere – (2017) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van seelewe – (2017) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van perde en ponies – (2017) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van my liggaam – (2018) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van die ruimte – (2018) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van die natuurrampe – (2018) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)
Die wonderwêreld van voertuie – (2018) Lapa Publishers (with Jaco Jacobs)

Radio plays

Die Losprys (RSG, Maart 2001) Published in the compilation Droomskip en ander radiodramas by Nasou Via Afrika
Oupa Rooijan kry ’n girlfriend (RSG, May 2002)
Agter geslote deure (RSG, April 2003)
Die Handtekeningjagter (RSG, 2006)
By verlies aan woorde (RSG, 2012)
Breking (RSG, 2013)
Ragel (RSG, 2016)
Die wegraping van tannie Kleintjie du Preez (RSG, 2024)

Television

Môre as ons groot is (Single drama on KykNet & kie – 2016)

Short stories

Appear in the following collections:

Apocalypse at the end of the street
Tyd is ‘n bl*ksem
Blinkertjies in Pa se baard
Die skool vir rampspoedige talente
Ingonyama
Iemand wat verdrink en ander verhale
‘n Ster in haar sak
Die Perfekte Brander
Skreeu
Sweef
Ink
In ’n neutedop
Van spoke gepraat
Skrik op die lyf
Spoorvat
VonkFiksie
Donker Plekke
Grensoorlogstories
Kleure van die liefde

Poems

Appear in the following collections:

Sterkykers
Toulopers
Nuwe stemme 5
Vonk@verse 1 & 2
Honderd dichters 8

Rhymes

Appear in the following collections:

Nuwe kinderverseboek
Rympies vir Pikkies en Peuters

Translations

Jy kan die wereld verander – Human & Rousseau (You can change the world)
Die wêreld se beste boek – Tafelberg Publishers (The world’s best book)

Other

Article on the writing of youth novels in the compilation Afrikaanse Skryfgids, compiled by Riana Scheepers and Leti Klein.
Various short stories in Landbouweekblad, Rooi Rose, De Kat and Vrouekeur.
Sketches in Rooi Rose and Rapport magazine.