Writing is Living Freedom

Andreas Arz was born in 1979 in Wiesbaden, the capital of Hesse, as the second of three siblings and grew up in the town of Lorch in the Rheingau region.

His passion for the written word emerged in childhood, expressed through short stories and poetry. After completing his education at the commercial vocational school of St. Ursula Gymnasium in Geisenheim, he was drawn to the publishing industry. His first steps into the world of media began with an apprenticeship as a publishing clerk.

Following his training, he pursued studies in marketing and communications in his birthplace of Wiesbaden. These studies opened new creative paths for him, leading him directly into the advertising industry, where he worked for over five years. Writing remained a constant companion throughout his professional career, providing the necessary balance in his daily life.

A turning point in his life came at the age of twenty-eight when he decided to take a new professional direction. Seeking inspiration, he spent several months in Australia, deliberately avoiding the usual tourist trails and venturing into remote areas. There, he earned his living through strenuous farm work, often in tropical conditions. The physical challenges of these jobs served as a counterbalance, allowing him to open his mind to new experiences. During this time, he wrote extensively, recording his encounters with people and the landscapes that shaped him.Upon returning to Germany, he initially worked for a major national newspaper before joining the family business. This role granted him the freedom to pursue a degree in creative writing and to refine his debut novel —deeply inspired by his strong connection to his homeland, the renowned wine region of the Rheingau, and the Middle Rhine Valley. Encouraged by the success of his first book, he went on to write more novels, solidifying his commitment to dedicating his life and work to the art of writing.