A week ago, Kariema Taliep Davids, a children’s book author and entrepreneur invited me for coffee at her house in Wetton, Cape Town. We spoke about her journey to becoming a self-published author, her love for reading, and how her first grandchild, Haniyah, led to her publishing a children’s book.
After two hours of chit-chat, we finally settled down over coffee and freshly made donuts baked by her daughter-in-law.
Moenie dink nie, doen net
“Moenie dink nie, doen net’ is an Afrikaans phrase Kariema heard while watching a TV program, ‘BALLADE VIR N ENKELING.’ One of the main characters who was a writer said ’Moenie dink nie, doen net!’
“This phrase stuck in my mind forever. And it works for me. Like if one writes down a To-do list, you get only a few things done on that list. But when you want to do something, just do it.That works wonders for me.’’
Meet Author and Entrepreneur, Kariema Taliep Davids

Kariema is a 55-year-old mother of two boys and two grandchildren. Her love for reading and writing started more than 30 years ago. As a child, she belonged to the Jellybean Journal (a Weekend Argus initiative) and the Junior Argus. She would send in her drawings and poems on a weekly basis.
During the COVID Lockdown 3, Kariema spent much time with her grandchild Haniyah. She noticed Haniyah’s fascination for books and animals. It was then that Kariema realized that this was what she wanted to do all along to write her first children’s book.
Haniya and the Pink Rabbit: Book 1

In November 2020, Kariema wrote Haniyah and the Pink Rabbit and did all the illustrations herself. She needed the book to be an original hand-drawn book and not digital images and computer graphics. This would be her greatest achievement.
The Blurb
Haniyah and the Pink Rabbit is an inspiration from her grandchild Haniyah who loves her “pink rabbit’’ toy that she takes with her everywhere. It is a delightful tale full of Love and Compassion with adorable illustrations of Haniyah and her special friend. It is a warm story that children will adore keeping little readers entertained and helping them to learn about Caring and Sharing.
“By March 2021, I self-published my first book ‘Haniyah AND THE PINK RABBIT’. In May 2021 I started to write my second book, ‘Haniyah GOES TO SCHOOL’. I finished in August 2021 and self-published in November 2021.’’
Haniya Goes To School Book 2

The Blurb
Haniya Goes to School is a book about a little boy who is different and who stretches himself to succeed and earn self-esteem. He experiencing bullying and being taunted. He accepted his imperfections and his Courage to face fear and move forward, has turned him into a brave little heart, who everyone looks up to. The story is Comforting and Inspiring.
Her theme for the books is life lessons for kids. Her plan is to get the books into the school’s curriculum.
As we are chatting, her phone keeps beeping. The design company needed to confirm the layout of her released book, Haniyah Discovers Identity, book 3 of the Haniyah book series. The launch was on November 5, November 2022.
Haniyah Discovers Identity: Book 3

The Blurb
We celebrate the story that opens the hearts and minds of children from all walks of life. It is the story that encourages enthusiasm for learning and respect for the World’s Diversity. Representing ‘Universal Love’ and it seeks to educate children to be the leaders of tomorrow
Treating Her Books As A Business Investment
As a self-published author, Kariema explained how exhausting and expensive it can to publish your own book can be. Her first book was published in 2021. At a a time our country’s national Coronavirus Command Council had decided to enforce a nationwide lockdown. The accumulated costs of publishing, marketing, and distribution skyrocketed.
“Financing your book is a lot of money. There’s a lot of money involved, the graphic designer, the printer, the editors, and the proof-readers. The whole printing of the book is expensive. And then there is printing of flyers, people to do social media for you, and the fuel of driving up and down.’’
However, it is not all gloom for the indie publisher. Kariema adds with self-publishing you should be able to wear many hats. Going solo means having 100% creative control over the book publishing process and being involved in many aspects of the publishing process.
And when it comes to book marketing, Kariema is her own brand ambassador. She put up her own website and created social media accounts for her customers to have easy access to her. On different days Kariema visits schools and libraries for book readings.

Most of her sales are generated through her own efforts. Her customers buy books directly from her. And has managed to list the books at Takealot and Amazon including Clarke’s bookstore in Cape Town.
What’s next for Kariema Taliep Davids
“My family has an author in the family now. I need to go for an overseas holiday to celebrate as I am climbing the ladder of success. I am not there yet, however the feeling is great.’’
Her list for next year includes writing two more books. She will be doing a follow-up storybook on her grandson later this year. Adding to this Kariema says she has already started working on her next Book 2 of the Trilogy, “A Passionate Love’ – The Masqued Love series. Her first adult fiction called, A Passionate Love is a racy romance novel for adults only.
The Blurb
A Passionate Love is a story set in London and Paris. It is based on an English girl, Catherine Darcy Evans, and a French man, Jacques Dupont. They fall madly in love. Catherine is a widow who lost her husband and is unaware her new love was involved in her husband’s death.

Kariema Taliep Davids is inspirational. An hour date turned into three hours of laughter, real talk, and great coffee.
Last Words From Kariema Taliep Davids
‘’Don’t be discouraged by people, follow your heart, follow your dream. If your manuscripts are lying around for many years,send it for submission. Moenie dink nie, doen net!’’
For more information about Kariema Taliep Davids and should you want to purchase her books, visit her website https://ktdbooks.co.za
You can buy her books Online: Takealot and Amazon
Children’s books: R150 per book
Novel R300
Contact her on 063 864 1701
Related topic: Meet The Author: 10-Year-Old Award-Winning Author – Stacey Fru
Before You Go
If you liked this post, send a shout-out to Kariema by commenting below.
Thanks for stopping by.
Chat soon,
Angy
xx