SHARJAH: The Sharjah Book Authority, SBA, announced that the 10th Publishers Conference will be held at the Expo Centre Sharjah from November 1 – 3, ahead of the official opening of the 39th Sharjah International Book Fair, SIBF, on November 4.
Eight-panel discussions will be hosted in the three-day event. The first-day session will address the key issues and challenges facing the publishing sector in the region and around the world. It will highlight the application process for the US$300,000 SIBF Translation Grant, available exclusively to the conference’s participants. On the final day of the professional conference, a matchmaking opportunity will be presented to all attending businesses.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA will deliver a welcome address on November 1, the inaugural day of the conference. Over 317 publishing professionals and 33 speakers including traditional and ePublishers from around the globe, rights professionals, publishing consultants, lawyers, and other industry experts will participate in the event.
The conference will begin with a discussion titled ‘Global publishing spotlight: Surviving and thriving during a pandemic’ with publishing professionals from around the world speaking on how the global publishing industry has risen to the challenge of the ongoing Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, and the lessons they learned in the process. The second session titled ‘Publishing pivoting for the future: How virtual events and social media are connecting publishers and readers across the globe’, will focus on successful campaigns organized by publishers and authors to connect with readers and impart information on the Publisher’s Club, and Book Club. The last panel discussion of the day will have the session on ‘Translated books: Finding new audiences.’ It will be followed by a session that imparts tips on how to apply for the SIBF Translation Grant, a $300,000 fund exclusively available to participants at the conference.
‘Emirati authors in conversation’, will be the first panel on day two of the conference. This will be followed by ‘It’s a woman’s world: Global women in publishing’, focusing on the mark made by women publishers. The last session of the day, titled ‘Homeschooling and virtual learning: What is next for education publishing.’
Two panels will be featured on November 3, the last day of the conference. The first session, titled ‘Book piracy: What is the damage?’, and the second session, ‘Listen up! The audiobook phenomenon: Growth and listening habits.’
The 10th Publishers Conference will conclude with the Matchmaking session, where publishers and industry professionals meet to discuss buying and selling of rights and strike new deals. This is for international publishing rights professionals who have a catalog of translation rights to buy or sell and are interested in exploring the Arab market.
