Indigo Light - Published Writing

Published Writing

Until 2026 most of Irize Loots' published writing projects have been in Afrikaans, her language of origin. In 2016 she published two novellas, Vrou in Rooi and Sy was Siela. In 2018 Naledi published her debut novel, Dromers, which was nominated in 2020 for the Woordveertjie award for new romance novels.

Irize also always enjoyed writing poetry. At the start of 2021 Irize's first complete poetry collection in Afrikaans, vlieg vorentoe, was published by Turksvy publications. In the same year she participated in a Turksvy's poetry compilation project. Their pandemic poetry collection, Maskers en Mure (which included poems of 142 Afrikaans poets) was published later in 2021.

In 2023 Naledi published her second full novel, Offers vir Genade. This compelling, three-part relationship novel highlighted the complexity of personal relationships across generations and explored the trauma of paternalistic family relationships.

In 2026 she completed a memoir, which was published in the same year. Under a Wandering Star has been published on Amazon, Ingram Spark, Draft to Digital, and Take Alot (South Africa). Her memoir explores her early life from birth to early adulthood, the political divide in her country of origin while she grew up, and it courageously investigates love and loss, friendship and family life. While she journeys back in time, she bravely seeks to find meaning through memory, and she craftly composes her own story (between ages 0 and 25) with the wisdom of her present day awareness.

More details on her publications can be found below. Please note: Though her latest publication (a memoir) is in English,
her other publications (two novels, a poetry compilation and two novelettes) were written in her original language, Afrikaans.

Click find out more about Irize, to look at some of her paintings, or if you want to go to the Indigo Light page. You may also go back to the HOME page. Scroll down to read more about her publications.

UNDER A WANDERING STAR

Memoir

In the memoir Under a Wandering Star, Irize Loots traces her life from childhood to early adulthood, sharing an inner world through metaphorical storytelling – first she is “Riz,” grows into “Rize,” and finally becomes Irize.

Told in seven parts, her formative years track her father’s work as a reverend, and his postings across South Africa become part of her own journey. She adores her father, yet his calling’s toll on his children – its strangeness, disconnection, and normality – becomes palpable. She cherishes family life, though at times feels more like an only child than the youngest of six children.

Coming of age in the eighties, she sees a country divided – its disparities in living conditions, education, and opportunity drawn along lines of skin colour. A growing awareness of apartheid shapes her development, while moving around the country exposes her to rural traditions and cultural diversity.

She longs for a world where people understand each other without words: she discovers that her mother’s true language differs from her own. She finds hope, strength and solace through music – a powerful, wordless language that continues to inspire her.

Boarding school, which she at first hates, teaches her self-reliance. Here she learns about friendship, love, and loss. Her unreciprocated high school crushes teach her to move on. Varsity and work in adulthood bring valuable lessons as life becomes more adventurous.

In a memoir about presence, gratitude, forgiveness, and resilience, will Riz persevere on her journey to find her authentic voice?

Under a Wandering Star can be ordered here:

AMAZON eBook link

AMAZON Paperback link

Take Alot South African paperback link

It is also be available on Ingram Spark, and Draft 2 Digital (as eBook).