KREST AUTHORS AT DON AFRICANA

 

It was a wonderful moment for KREST Publishers to be included in a multi-author book launch hosted by the Don Africana Central Reference Library in Durban. The event took place on the 22nd of May, and several books by authors in and around Durban were launched. 

The authors who represented KREST were: Veena Pillay, who had celebrated the release of her debut novel, A Bend In The Road, several days before; and Mervin M. Francis, a twice-published poet of Book of Dreams and Dreams of Life. 

The host for the day was Zinhle Ntshangase, pictured below with author Veena Pillay. 


The authors in attendance had the invaluable opportunity to talk about their book to an audience, which is an opportunity many authors don't get in the highly competitive publishing industry. 

Veena Pillay's book, A Bend in the Road, is an adult fiction new release from KREST Publishers. It is set in a small sleepy town in the 1970s. The lives of four young girls are forever changed when the unthinkable happens. Timid, gentle Meena has vanished on the road home from school, during a game the four friends played together. This gritty coming-of-age story deals with the dark mystery behind the disappearance. The remaining three girls struggle to come to terms with the tragedy, while wrestling with issues of guilt, identity, hypocrisy, and the bitter-sweet nature of first love. Confident, self-centered Rajni, her life set out clearly by her mother’s ambitions, finds her world starting to unravel around her. Angry, distant Mala, set apart from the others by her intelligence and blunt perception of the world, discovers a shocking family secret. Feisty Arthi, hemmed in by her conservative family and upbringing, begins to develop insights into the injustices and prejudices of tradition. But where is Meena and is there any hope of her being found?

 Veena Pillay was inspired to write this book when looking back at her childhood town with its unique traditions and culture in the 1970s. Although she has a background in science, she has always had a passion for literature. She holds a PhD in human physiology and lectured for a while before giving it up to: spend more time raising her children, form book discussion clubs, join a writers group, see her children fly the coop, join a readers group, and write a book. She lives in Umhlanga with her husband and continues to write.

Veena's novel is available in bookstores, on Amazon, and directly from the publisher website www.krestpublishers.co.za.  

Don Africana team member Sagaree Nadasen with author Veena Pillay


Mervin Francis's poetry anthologies, Book of Dreams and Dreams of Life, were initially released in 2020 and 2021 respectively, but the books are still popular, and will soon be available in bookstores. 

Book of Dreams is the personal poetry of Mervin M. Francis. From the romantic time of dusk, to the hope found in a new sunrise, this anthology traverses that dreamy time in between, wherein everything seems infinitely possible. Poems of joy, motivation, and love are shared in this contribution to a bright world where everyone may follow their dreams and heart. 

Dreams of Life continues on a barrage of positive poetry. We are brought pieces that inspire us, leave us in reflection, and even some that have us in stitches. Dreams of Life is a sunny anthology for the optimistic soul. A perfect pocketbook of poetry that you can turn to when you’re in need of a little brightness through the ups and down of life.

Mervin hails from the North Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. Currently in a career with Toyota SA, Mervin still continues to write poetry on the side. The poetry is written to express the joy of the world around him . He continues to publish his work so that he may share it with the rest of the world. Mervin's books are available from the publisher website www.krestpublishers.co.za, Amazon, and bookstores.

Author Mervin Francis with Sagaree Nadasen

 

KREST Publishers thanks the Don Africana Library team for including us in this event. With Durban being a UNESCO city of literature, it's fantastic to see the written word celebrated in such innovative ways. 


 

If you would like to join the ranks of The KREST House writers, visit www.krestpublishers.co.za for submission guidelines.

 

 

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