Meet Veronika Dapunt - Penguin Published Novelist

Veronika Dapunt and her opinionated mini-Schnauzer, Cosette.

Veronika Dapunt is a British-Austrian author. Her debut novel, Death and Other Occupational Hazards, was a runner-up for the UK’s 2023 Comedy Women in Print Prize. She has always had a love of the darkly comic and the absurd, quite possibly the reason why her first career was in law. Veronika lives in London with an opinionated mini-Schnauzer called Cosette.

You can follow Veronika at: 

Instagram: @vmdapunt

Website: https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/304660/veronika-dapunt

Her own author website is coming soon!

About the Novel

Death and Other Occupational Hazards is a darkly comedic murder mystery about a female personified Death whose sabbatical in modern-day London is rudely interrupted by a string of unexpected murders. Quirky, fun and witty, this is Death like you've never met her before.

 Publishing 10th April 2025 by Penguin Random House and available for Purchase

Can you tell us about your writing journey? What inspired you to start writing, and how has your style evolved over the years?

I love stories, and I’ve dreamed of writing my own novel for as long as I can remember. A few years ago, I came across a writing course at Central St Martin’s (UAL) in London, and I signed up for it. The author teaching the course (Elise Valmorbida, who was a speaker at the Stockholm Writers Festival in 2022) was an inspiring mentor, and I met some great people. That’s when I started my writing journey in earnest.

Tbilisi Georgia Old Printing Press turned book-themed hotel

My style has always had a darkly comic edge, but my craft has definitely improved a lot over the years. I’ve been a member of a writing group for a while, and the regular analysis of my own as well as other people’s work made me a stronger writer. It also taught me to trust myself, so I think my style has become bolder and more authentic.

Who are some of your literary influences, and how have they shaped your writing?

One of the first writers who had a profound effect on me was Michael Ende, through his books The Neverending Story and Momo. Not only did I love the imaginative fantastical elements of his stories, but also the fact that the reader connects deeply with the protagonists on a human level. His books also feature insightful social commentary alongside engaging storytelling, and I was amazed how a novel can achieve all of this. Similarly, Terry Pratchett’s books are funny, imaginative and wise. Olga Tokarczuk’s Drive Your Plow over the Bones of the Dead has an unusual, quirky protagonist, and even though it’s quite a dark novel, there is a lot of heart underneath. Finally, I love Marian Keyes’ work, which is funny and warm, but also smart and compassionate.

Comedy Women in Print Prize

Overall I would say I’m drawn to books that have a lot of imagination, and which explore the human condition and existence, while also being, quite simply, fantastic stories. I always wanted to write a multi-layered book like that, and I hope I’ve achieved it.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while writing your novel, and how did you overcome them?

Comedy Women in Print Prize

Completing a novel is a significant, complex feat that requires a lot of dedication. For any writer there are times when one is riddled with self-doubt, and it can be hard to keep going. What helped me overcome this is having a really good writing group, and talking to other writers. I realised that almost every single one of us feels like that at some point — even those authors who are established and successful still have those moments. Understanding that, and accepting it as part of the process, really helped me.

What motivated you to enter the Stockholm Writers Festival First 5 Pages Prize?

I entered the SWF First Five Pages Prize because it looked like a fantastic opportunity, and prizes in general are important for aspiring writers. I got a lot of interest from agents once my book won runner-up at the Comedy Women in Print Prize, so my advice to writers would be to enter as many competitions as possible. And as any creative writing student will have been told ad nauseam, the opening five pages are the most important chance to hook an agent, publisher or reader. So the SWF First 5 Pages Prize is a brilliant opportunity to test out how strong your beginning is.

Author Photo - Veronika Dapunt

You received some minor feedback on your submission? How did you feel about it initially, and were you able to use it to improve your work?

I did, and I will always be grateful for that feedback because it actually came at a time when I wasn’t sure whether I was going in the right direction. I had just started writing Death and Other Occupational Hazards, and some people were quite skeptical when I told them I was writing a comedy about a female personified Death. The fact that the SWF judges took the time to write me a note was hugely encouraging. I also got some pointers on how to make the beginning better, which were spot-on and helped improve it.

How did you go about connecting with an agent? What was that process like for you? 

I went through the regular process of sending submissions to agents. For the vast majority of writers it’s a gruelling process, filled with one rejection after another, and for quite a while it was like that for me too. Things did change when I was shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Prize, and even more so when I won runner-up — that’s when I suddenly had a lot more agent interest.

Proof copy of Death and Other Occupational Hazards

Your novel Death and Other Occupational Hazards wound up being at the center of a three-way bidding war - that must have felt incredibly surreal, and exciting at the same time. What were your thoughts during that whole process?

I’d been writing for years, and whilst I loved the craft itself, I wasn’t thrilled with all the inevitable rejections and self-doubt that are par for the course. So to find out that multiple publishers wanted my book was indeed a surreal experience. One day I was sitting in my room working on my book, not knowing whether anyone aside from my mum would ever read it, and the next three publishers were competing for it — I could barely believe it.

How were you feeling and what were you thinking as you finally signed the two-book deal with Penguin Random House (Transworld) and what was that experience like?

It was incredible, I literally felt like I had woken up in a different reality. I’m extremely lucky to have a brilliant editor and a wonderful publisher, so the whole process has been a joy.

Veronika at SWF23 in Stockholm, Sweden

You’ve attended the Stockholm Writers Festival a few times, how did the experience help you grow as a writer?

What I love about SWF especially is how professional every single aspect of it is. I could immediately tell when I first signed up that a lot of thought goes into what would be helpful to writers at various stages of the publishing process — the speakers and workshops are very carefully selected, with clear goals in mind. I got a lot of hands-on advice at SWF, whether it was about the craft itself or the practicalities of the publishing industry. I also participated in a ‘pitching competition’, which was a little scary but really useful to hone my pitch for agents.

What advice would you give to other writers who are seeking feedback and looking to improve their work?

Join a good and supportive writing group! This could be through a course, a festival like SWF, or just a meet-up with fellow writers in a pub or café. There are also lots of options online these days. Feedback from your peers is invaluable, but it’s equally important that the group is supportive and experienced in giving and receiving it, in order to nurture everyone’s individual talent.

What are your plans for the future? Are there any new projects you're excited about?

 I have a two-book deal with my publisher and am currently writing my second novel, which I’m very excited about.

Can we expect to see you again at the Stockholm Writers Festival in the future?

I very much hope so! And for anyone who is thinking of attending, I highly recommend it.

Veronika and Cosette with freshly arrived finished copies