Aspiring authors can explore publishing pathways at this month’s Ballito Writers’ Club meeting, on Thursday featuring insights from local authors and a professional publisher.

The meeting will focus on the different options in South Africa and aims to help aspiring authors make an informed decision. The guest speakers are Gary Green, Paul Zunckel and Keli H. The session aims to give writers a holistic overview of the publishing landscape and equip them with enough experience to achieve their personal writing goals.

Green is a non-fiction author, who has self-published multiple books. He will explore the self-publishing process and give advice to anyone looking to go this route.

Event organiser, Paul Zunckel, is a traditionally published author. His book, Secrets and Lies, was nominated for The Book Behind Award in 2021. He will share the experience of working with a publisher and what that entails.

“Every aspiring writer wants to see their submitted manuscript accepted by a publisher, printed and standing on a shelf among famous authors in a bookstore,” said Zunckel.
“A writer needs to get their work in front of readers. Despite the adversity of trying to get published, never give up, never leave the unfinished manuscript in the draw. The worst thing to do is quit,” he said.

Keli Hariparsad is the founder of The KREST House, an award-winning publishing company based in Umhlanga. As an author herself, she will share, from a publisher point of view, what both self and traditional publishing options involve, and what option would be best suited to your book.

‘Keli H’ – as she is known – is a former medical doctor turned author and publisher, who is preparing to release her third book in July.

The Ballito Writers’ Group meets at 10.30am on the last Thursday of each month at the library (May 29), gathering published authors and aspiring writers to discuss literary projects and challenges. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Peter Gunning on 083 441 1950.

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