IT'S OFFICIAL: THE 400 CLUB IS IN BOOKSTORES!

 

The Four Hundred Club by Keli H

KREST Publishers has long held an interest in innovation in what is otherwise a very traditional sector: that of the world of books. It was the release of the The Four Hundred Club, written by our own CEO, that allowed us as a company to finally get experimental with marketing. After enjoying an entire year of keeping the book close to its edgy roots, we have finally released the book into chain stores across Southern Africa! This comes just before the sequel is to go into pre-press. 

The author, Keli Hariparsad who writes as Keli H, has a backstory as fascinating as the novel she's written. Keli matriculated in the year 2011. She describes it as a different era. "At that time, it wasn't considered normal to pursue careers in creative fields. I couldn't just say that I wanted to be a writer for a living, even though I wanted it more than anything. Things like that weren't considered real jobs - they were considered hobbies. So I became a doctor instead." After graduation, Keli practiced for two years in different hospitals. Reaching a point where she felt like the love for stories would never leave her alone, she made the surprising decision to quit her job to write and publish a book. The book, then called The Durban Four Hundred, was published by a Durban-based company. A year later, when Keli founded KREST Publishers, the book was re-signed by her own company. However, running a traditional publishing company required Keli to focus more on other people's books than her own. It was yet another year before her own book came onto the publishing slate. 

Award winning author Keli H (Keli Hariparsad)

 

The book was re-edited, redesigned, and re-titled The Four Hundred Club in 2021. It was, and still remains, the company's most innovative marketing endeavour. 

The book came out as a beautiful hardcover at the end of 2021. A collectible box set was made, which was labeled The Luxe Edition. It contained an autographed copy of the book, a custom gold-flake bookmark, a gold pen like the one the author had used to write the book, and some personal affects from the author herself. One of the limited edition sets was auctioned at a charity gala in South Africa. It fetched R2,500 for charity, which was four times more than retail value at the time. 

 The Four Hundred Club, in the year ahead, experienced moments in the spotlight. It was featured in multiple magazines, newspapers, and at high profile events.The author herself, Keli H, went on to win Best Upcoming Female Author 2022 at the South African BBA (a national book awards).

The book is an intriguing contemporary fiction, unlike any out of South Africa. The book's blurb reads as follows: "A South African media mogul's son, creating concept footage for reality TV, pulls together seven friends with affluence and influence. There is Kiara Maharaj, a new-graduate doctor drowning in the deep end of the public health system; Aryan Soni, focused on creating his own generational wealth; and Linda Dlamini who makes her living the new way - through social media. Aishwarya Yadav is a dancer who boldly left her country to pursue a career of meaning. David Doherty is a male fashion designer in an increasingly liberal society. There are also well-to-do twins, Jared and Jason Le Roux, who are harmlessly unaware of their privilege. The Four Hundred Club, told through four viewpoints, is a young, progressive quilt of their experience as new adults."

The book is a rather fascinating examination of the millennial generation and their set of unique challenges in a world far different to what came before. There is no doubt Keli H has drawn her own experience into the story, which touches tactfully on issues like social media and the generational wealth gap. The book received spectacular media praise:

 "Weaves a thread through a glamorous world" - Sylvia Dhayalan, Tabloid Media Journalist

"Loved the setting" - Justin Scott, Editor The Umhlanga Magazine

"Opulent fiction that blurs the lines between story and reality perfectly" - S.K. Sewmungal, Author

"The ultimate lifestyle read" - Sesh G., Film Producer

For a long time, the book was only made available as signed copies through various exclusive channels. The book could only be obtained from publisher-approved channels to maintain its branding. Having enjoyed a full year of experimental marketing - which we could not rightfully do when handling other writers' work - we as KREST Publishers have finally made the book publicly available. It is now available through all major chain bookstores in Southern Africa. It is also available on the publisher website www.krestpublishers.co.za. 

The author recently announced on her personal social media channels that a sequel was in progress. KREST Publishers remains optimistic that it will afford our company another chance at changing the way things can be done in an industry such as this.

Visit the publisher website on www.krestpublishers.co.za for our full catalogue of books.