Writing is Freedom Lived

Andreas Arz was born in 1979 in the Hessian state capital of Wiesbaden, the second of three siblings, and grew up in the municipality of Lorch in the Rheingau.

His enthusiasm for the written word emerged in childhood, expressed through short stories and poems. After finishing school at the commercial vocational college of St. Ursula Gymnasium in Geisenheim, he was drawn to the world of publishing. He took his first steps in the media industry through an apprenticeship as a publishing merchant.

The apprenticeship was followed by a degree in marketing and communications in his home city of Wiesbaden. His studies opened new, creative paths for Andreas Arz, leading him directly into the advertising industry, where he remained for more than five years. Writing was his constant companion throughout this professional period and brought the balance he needed to everyday life.

At the end of this path came a decisive turning point in his life. At the age of 28, he made a career break and spent the following months seeking inspiration in Australia. Deliberately steering clear of the tourist trail, he headed for remote areas, earning his living through hard farm work. Under sometimes tropical conditions, he used the physical demands of the work to open his mind to new experiences. During this time, he wrote a great deal of personal material, capturing in particular his experiences with people and the land.

Back in Germany, he first worked for a major national newspaper before joining the family business. This gave him the freedom to complete a foundational course in creative writing and bring his debut novel to fruition, a novel inspired by his close ties to his home region, the renowned wine region of the Rheingau. Encouraged by the success of his debut work, further novels followed, reinforcing his intention to devote his life and work fully to the craft of writing.

This deep connection to his home was recognised in 2025: readers of the Rheingau Echo voted Andreas Arz „Rheingauer des Jahres 2025“ (Rheingau Person of the Year). The award, a fixture of regional life for twelve years, honours individuals who make a visible and tangible difference in the Rheingau, a description that reflects his work as an author and ambassador for the region.