FROM a medical doctor to the owner of a publishing house, Keli Hariparsad said she has no regrets having followed her heart into writing and storytelling, something which made many think she was crazy. Crazy about books, for sure.
Hariparsad, who hails from uMhlanga, is the owner of KREST Publishers, which is based in Umhlanga Ridge.
Having only been in the industry for about two years, it came as a shock to Hariparsad to learn that her publishing house was nominated in the category of Best Publishing Company in SA in this year’s national Book Behind Awards.
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“I grew up reading books by some of the publishers we are competing against. It’s crazy to think that my company, which is less than two years old, is competing with such major names. It’s how I know that I am on the right track,” she said.
Hariparsad, who has also written her own book, describes the Book Behind Awards as the Oscars of the book world in South Africa.
“This is more than our local authors could have ever hoped for – to be competing alongside national industry veterans,” she said.
To be in the running, Hariparsad had to submit a book under each category. KREST qualified for Best Biography, Best Educational, Best Fiction and Best Poetry. Hariparsad has also been nominated for Best Upcoming Female Author.
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Speaking about her transition from medicine to publishing, Hariparsad said she always had a love for books, and after studying for six years and working in the field for two years, she felt she needed to follow her passion.
“You can say I had a calling. I started KREST Publishers in September 2020 with a specific mission, which was to spread inspiring stories throughout the world. I also wanted the business to be a platform where other creative people could transition into commercialising their creativity,” she said.
Hariparsad explained that when she matriculated, it wasn’t an era where people openly shared their dreams of becoming authors, illustrators and the like, but things are changing, which she is excited about.
The red carpet ceremony for the Book Behind Awards takes place in October.
To vote for KREST Publishers in the category of Best Publishing Company in SA, SMS ‘TBBA BPH712’ to 34877.
To vote for Keli Hariparsad in the category of Best Upcoming Female Author, SMS ‘TBBA BUFA50’ to 34877.
