Petra Müller

Photo by John Paisley

Poet and author of children's literature

Petra Müller was born on 27 Julie 1935, at Botrivier. She attended school in Swellendam, where she matriculated at the age of 16 and went afterwards to study at Stellenbosch University. After obtaining a BA degree she worked for nearly three years as a reporter at Die Burger, until she married the journalist Wilhelm Grütter.
Under the pseudonym Magriet Smalberger she wrote light literature, while at home and raising three sons.
Petra worked as story editor for Sarie for ten years and - from 1980 to 1989 - as editor at Tafelberg Publishers. From 1989, she started writing in earnest, still working freelance for several publishing companies.

Petra Müller and her husband have been living for more than 40 years in their house Vlagmanshoogte, at the slope of Tafelberg.

Awards:
Eugène Marais Prize 1980 for Patria
Hertzog Prize for Poetry 2005

Children's books: Die kind van konings Klein Wiek se groot pampoen 'n Reënboog vir Hannatjie

Poetry: all published by Tafelberg: Obool Patria Liedere van Land en See My plek se naam is Waterval Swerfgesange vir Susan, 1997 Die Aandag van jou oë (review at: www.skoppensboer.co.za) Night crossing, Tafelberg 2006 Desembers (Short Stories), Tafelberg, 2007 Nuwe Stemme 2 *compiler with Nelleke de Jager, Tafelberg, 2001

Short Stories: Werf in die rûens Voëls van die hemel Die dwerg van die Infanta In die omtes van die hart