Former news editor publishes own novel
FOURWAYS – Zaheera Walker has self-published her own book, which she hopes will inspire woman this Women's Month.
Former Fourways Review news editor Zaheera Walker (39) is striving to encourage women to turn their dreams into reality.
At a time when people were slowly turning away from books, she held on to her dream and self-published her debut novel, Deadline.
It tells the story of a young woman who shows promise as an intern at a Durban newspaper. After working on public holidays and weekends, her spirits were crushed when she was told her services were no longer required.
“Through the main character, Feriyal Adam, I try to show young people, especially women, that they must not lose courage when they are faced with challenges. Through the map of difficulties, they must seek out the opportunities. Nothing comes easy but if they feed their faith and embrace the hardships then the journey is richer,” she said.
After her husband, Dr Mikhail Walker, passed away four years ago, she said life became stagnant. Her future seemed bleak and nobody could understand her inner turmoil. It was for this reason that Walker believed she knew firsthand what it felt like to lose hope.
“This was the turning point for me. I wrote the story to give hope to the hopeless. This will be my legacy for women out there. If my story can inspire one woman then my heart will be happy.”
Walker said Deadline takes readers through the highs and lows of life. “Just as Feriyal is making peace with her jobless situation, her mother is diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer – death comes quick and the future seems almost uncertain. But instead of begging her way through life, Feriyal knocks on doors and searches for opportunities.
“She rediscovers her Creator and slowly she sees things falling into place – until she goes after a serial killer and is abducted.”
Walker said the novel is classifiled as both a thriller and chicklit and it makes her proud that she could incorporate places and events from a place she once called home. She now lives in Johannesburg and works for the City of Joburg Property Company.
Getting your book published is no stroll in the park, but Walker said she believed in her story far too much to allow rejections to steal her joy. “Earlier this year, I took a decision to invest my money into this project. I knew it was a gamble but I am a determined woman and there is no room for failure in my life.
“From start to finish, the novel was packaged and delivered to me within three months. It is available on Amazon.com and, even though I have not done an official book launch yet, I took the liberty of ordering the first paperback print run.
“Was I afraid going through this on my own? Yes, I most certainly was but I also worked very hard putting the story together and I was not prepared to see it all go to waste.”
Walker said her aim to inspire and motivate women is fast falling into place. “Publishing the book was a small part of the bigger picture. Ultimately, I want to see women prosper and I know God’s plan is definite.
“During August, when women are revered for their brave fight, I was given the stage to address women on my personal journey as a writer and an independent woman in the contemporary South Africa. My confidence to speak to masses is growing and I love the engagement I have with women, both young and old.”
