The man behind Monnikje is Gerard van den Akker.
My passion for both the exact sciences as language developed side by side. I started writing short stories and competing in writing contests during my study Astronomy & Astrophysics at the University of Amsterdam. Since my view was focussed on the stars and all the fantastsic possibilities nature offers us, it won't surprise you that my main interest went out to fanatsy and science fiction. During the full program my study offered, I still found space and time to qiden my view with colleges like Big History and Big Future.
After obtaining my bachelor I decided to concentrate more on developing my literary side, and started the master Redacteur/Editor at the same university. This prepared me to become an editor. It didn't just give me the necessary theoretical knowledge for succesful editing, but also highlighted the practical side of this profession. With for example practical courses on the practice of editing and an internship at Mynx Publishing I learned the ins and outs of the book trade. During this master I specialized in popular science, what led to my master thesis.
I expanded myself besides my study at several activities. In the area of language I didn't just develop myself by writing several articles and short stories, but also by my activities as final editor for the online interdisciplinair magazine Blind and judge for the riting contest Fantastels. I maintained my exact skills by, among others, programming for a few years at the Floris Mod Pack.
