Penny Haw

I am a writer. To begin with, of articles and columns for newspapers, magazines and, eventually, websites. I’ve written for Business Day, Sunday Times, Financial Mail, Sunday Independent, The Weekender and many others I’ve forgotten and you might not recognise.

Now, I am a writer of books, all of which feature strong, interesting and independent women. They also illustrate my love for animals and the outdoors, and explore the interconnectedness of all living things.

I was recently honoured to receive the 2024 Philida Literary Award, which celebrates the life of renowned South African author, André Brink and is awarded annually to a writer mid-career for an oeuvre of between three to five books of any genre.

My debut historical fiction, The Invincible Miss Cust tells the story of Britain and Ireland’s first woman veterinary surgeon, Aleen Cust. Find it at a bookstore near you here or order it online here. My second work of historical fiction, The Woman at the Wheel is based on the life of Bertha Benz, wife of the ‘Father of the Automobile’, Carl Benz. You can order it here. Both are published by Landmark Sourcebooks.

My first book, Nicko—The Tale of a Vervet Monkey on an African Farm is a children’s book, which was published in 2017. My inaugural novel for adults, The Wilderness Between Us was published (as part of a traditional deal) by Köehler Books in 2021 and is available in all formats on Amazon here. You can locate it via Indie Bound here and find out more about it on Goodreads here.

In South Africa, as part of a distribution agreement with Karavan Press, wholesale/trade orders of The Wilderness Between Us and Nicko can be made from Protea Distribution on 021-699 8506 or orders@proteadistribution.co.za. The Invincible Miss Cust and The Woman at the Wheel are distributed in South Africa by Penguin Random House South Africa.

I live on the slopes of a mountain near the sea not far from Cape Town in South Africa, where I walk my dogs with my husband, run and read when I’m not at my keyboard. You can follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.