Werner Schmidt is a South African author, coach, and musician. His debut YA novel, Chelsea Glitter and The Graveyard on the Hill, will be published by Crystal Cove Press in 2026. The book blends magical realism, horror, and fantasy with emotional depth, establishing Werner’s distinctive voice in Young Adult fiction.
Werner’s path to storytelling has been unconventional. After a career in accounting and finance, he transitioned into leadership coaching, body-centered work, and the creative and performing arts. His literary experience spans a children’s play in three languages, a magazine-featured novella in English and Afrikaans, and two award-nominated poetry collections.
Outside of writing, Werner works with individuals and organizations on leadership, culture, and strategy, while also creating and performing music, djembe stories, and motivational content. He enjoys walking, hiking, trail-running, tennis, soccer, touch rugby, play-boxing, and meaningful conversations with family and friends. Sunrise rituals, barefoot mornings, and black coffee under a giant stinkwood tree inspire his creativity. He is currently completing a follow-up novel and putting finishing touches on his second music album, Songs From My Morning Walk.