UMhlanga-based publisher, Krest, along with two of their authors, have been recognised in three categories for their great literary work in the prestigious annual Book Behind Awards (BBA).
The dynamic publishing house has been nominated for the Best Publishing Company. Fantasy author Michael Ferguson is up for the Best Male Author award and children’s author Gretchen Ryan has been nominated for the Best Book Cover for her book; There’s an Elephant in My Swimming Pool.
“Krest Publishers has done a phenomenal job of creating a valued name within the South African publishing industry. The publishing house works with local and international authors across all genres, bringing to life the imaginations of many authors,” said CEO Dr Keli Haripersad.
The Book Behind Awards is an organisation dedicated to promoting reading and writing by recognising emerging writers in our society. Each year, the BBA honours those who have made significant contributions to the literary world, acknowledging the often challenging journey to becoming a published author with great respect.
Ferguson is a fantasy and horror author with full-length novels and short
stories under his belt. His social media presence on TikTok and Instagram has created quite the hype for his upcoming novel; A God of Flames and Monsters. Known for his intriguing plots and enchanting characters, his most notable novel is; A Prophecy of Flowers and Lightning, which received a phenomenal 4.50/5 rating on the popular book review website, Goodreads.
Ferguson is a huge advocate for indie (independent/self-published) authors. He often promotes such authors and shares snippets of his writing journey, and character art and entertains his followers with his humorous posts.
Ryan’s book follows the riveting adventure of eleven-year-old Toby, who is determined to catch rhino and elephant poachers while on holiday at his Grampa’s game farm near Kruger National Park. He must outwit not only the dangerous wild animals but also his wary sister Tara and his parents’ strict rules.
“The concept for this cover design was certainly unique. Krest Publishers called all young artists to draw a cover for There’s an Elephant in My Swimming Pool. Young budding designers from all over South Africa sent in their one-of-a-kind artworks. The winner of the Young Designers Competition was 10-year-old Pitlochry Primary School, learner Uraishna, who saw the call put out by Tabloid Newspapers. Her hyper-realistic drawing, use of shading and vivid colours made for a perfect cover design,” explained Ryan.
“Krest Publishers consistently puts their authors in the spotlight, creating opportunities for them to reach a broader audience. With Michael and Gretchen’s nominations, the publisher’s dedication to nurturing local talent and elevating their voices on a global stage is evident,” added Dr Haripersad.
