You are currently viewing Working With KREST, a Publisher in South Africa

Working With KREST, a Publisher in South Africa

If you would like to publish your book through The KREST House in South Africa, you can expect a custom-curated journey resulting in a deeply authentic piece of literary art with your name on the cover. Here’s what our complete publishing process entails.

Publishing a book is not unlike commissioning a tailored garment or curating a fine fragrance. There is a creative journey from concept to creation to presentation — and each stage requires time, mastery, and vision. Let’s explore the phases involved, using the example of a garment.

  • Development phase: a design house will conceptualize the garment through art and creativity, source the finest materials, and create the final garment through superior workmanship.
  • Production phase: the garment, through the combined use of best in class machinery and human artistry, is replicated multiple times to create a desirable quantity of it.
  • Distribution phase: the garments are delivered to a distribution company that is responsible for getting them onto the racks at boutiques of aligned reputation. Discerning individuals then buy these garments from these outlets.

It’s exactly like this when working with a publishing company. Let’s adapt it to book publishing. Once you have signed on with us, the book goes through 3 phases:

  • Development phase: this is the process of creating the book. It will involve craftsmanship such as editing the story into something enjoyable, laying out beautiful pages that will be a pleasure to look at, and creating a cover that represents the work well. This entire phase of the publishing process is devoted to developing a piece of literary art.
  • Production phase: the book now gets printed into many copies that can be sold.
  • Distribution phase: the batches of books are delivered to a distribution agency that is responsible for getting the books into different sales outlets (like bookstores, wholesalers, e-commerce sites, the person responsible for buying books for libraries in South Africa).

A NOTE ON SCALE AND INTENT

Just as one would not expect a couture gown to be mass-produced on a fast-fashion budget and timeline, one cannot expect literary excellence without due input. Publishing with quality requires a team of skilled professionals: editors, designers, printers, illustrators — all working in sleek, harmonious brilliance.

We do not publish books that are rushed or cheapened. We publish books that will be lauded through the generations for their substance and style.

If you’re ready to have that superior book with your name on it, something you can be proud of, here’s how we accomplish that for you.

PHASE 1 – DEVELOPMENTAL (BOOK PUBLISHING)

This phase is the foundation of a refined publishing journey. It includes:

  • Publishing contract
  • Ghostwriting (if needed)
  • Developmental editing
  • Copy editing
  • ISBN application
  • ISBN barcode
  • Illustrations (if needed)
  • Typesetting and layout design
  • Cover design
  • Proofreading

At this stage, the manuscript is transformed into a cohesive and intentional piece of literary art, ready for production.

PHASE 2 – PRODUCTION (BOOK PRINTING)

Once the book has been crafted, it is time to bring it into physical form. This phase includes:

  • Printing
  • eBook formatting
  • Legal deposits

Many authors choose to conclude their journey here, content to hold their work in their hands – a symbol of personal mastery, legacy, or creative fulfillment. We laud these authors for the materialization of a creative dream into reality.

PHASE 3 – DISTRIBUTION (BOOK SALES)

For those who wish to enter the commercial space and bring their book to the wider public, we facilitate full distribution through a variety of carefully selected sales channels:

  • The primary sales point we sell books through: the e-commerce part of our publisher website, to finely control the environment in which your finished book is experienced and ensure a refined buyer experience.
  • Secondary platforms we sell the books through: Amazon Kindle + Print on Demand, Exclusive Books stores, South African municipal libraries, at book events that meet our calibre. These are third parties where we have less control over availability and reader experience with your book, but they may form part of your book’s rollout plan for credibility purposes.
  • Some of the things we do to encourage readers to pick up your book: listing of book on Goodreads, 0rganizing of book launches, signings, literary festivals, speaker opportunities, media interviews, reviewer campaigns, social media campaigns

At The KREST House, our aim is not to publish your book in a rush, it is to publish your book properly. On average, you can expect your project to unfold over 9-12 months, from initial concept to final delivery. This timeline reflects the time and care we dedicate to each phase.

Our pace ensures every creative, artistic, and commercial detail is handled with precision and care, resulting in a book that will carry your legacy through generations.

As promised, the publishing process consists of many steps to curate a thorough workflow. There is a multitude of talent involved: gifted artists, experienced graphic designers, eloquent editors, 24-hour commercial printers, reputable sales agents. What does this incredible body of talent cost to work with?

THE PUBLISHING FEE STRUCTURE AT THE KREST HOUSE

At The KREST House, we partner with discerning authors to produce works of enduring value and artistic distinction. A minimum investment of R120,000 is required to undertake a good quality publishing journey that will result in a book like this.

DECIDING ON SCALE: COMMERCIAL VS LEGACY PUBLISHING

A common misconception is that a limited print run (e.g., 100 copies) will generate substantial income. This is rarely the case.

If your vision is to profit from book sales, that requires a broader commercial strategy — including a larger print run and a marketing budget that supports long-term visibility. We are here to guide you through that allocation to give your book its best chance of commercial success.

If, however, your intention is to commemorate a life well lived — to hold your story in your hands as a legacy — that same publishing process can be adapted at a smaller, more intimate scale. In either case, we honour your creative vision and work with you to bring it into form.

FOR AUTHORS READY TO BEGIN

If you are ready to take the next step in your publishing journey with The KREST House, we invite you to complete a publishing intake form to initiate a private consultation that will take place over Zoom or in-person (we are based in Ballito, Durban, South Africa.)

Click here: Publishing Intake Form