Bodour Al Qasimi Inaugurates 14th Sharjah Publishers Conference To Foster Global Publishing Collaboration

The 14th Sharjah Publishers Conference was inaugurated by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), at Expo Centre Sharjah. This significant event, organised by the SBA with the International Publishers Association, precedes the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair. It has attracted 1,065 publishers and literary agents from 108 countries, highlighting its importance as a global platform for publishing professionals.

During her opening speech, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi emphasised the conference's role in fostering a global publishing community. She stated, "the Sharjah Publishers Conference embodies our commitment to fostering a global publishing community that champions cross-border cultural exchange and innovation. As publishing navigates many rapid, wide-ranging changes, our role is to ensure that new voices can be heard, and that the industry evolves with integrity and inclusiveness. Together, we can continue building a publishing landscape that unites people across borders and celebrates the diversity of human stories."

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The conference serves as a major platform for exchanging ideas and forming partnerships in rights, distribution, and sales. The event features 74 speakers who contribute to discussions on various topics relevant to the international publishing industry. These discussions aim to address challenges and explore opportunities within the sector.

On the first day, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi and Ahmed Al Ameri honoured winners of the 3rd Sharjah Rights Connection Awards. Kalem Agency from Turkey won in the "Professionals working within publishing houses buying and selling translation rights" category. Ahmed Bedeir from Dar El Shorouk in Egypt received recognition in another category. Special Appreciation Awards were given posthumously to Bassam Chebaro of Arab Scientific Publishers and Bill Kennedy of Avicenna Partnership Ltd.

An engaging conversation with Chantal Restivo-Alessi of HarperCollins Publishers highlighted growth potential in publishing. She discussed how books enhance global understanding and societal progress through their symbiotic relationships with other sectors. Restivo-Alessi also noted trends like "Glocal," where local adaptations of popular genres attract new readers.

Restivo-Alessi expressed optimism about reaching younger audiences through accessible genres. She said, "Books have arguably become much more accessible than ever, allowing us to engage a broader audience. This accessibility is vital as we seek to draw in younger readers who may not have previously considered reading as a primary form of entertainment."

Keynote Speeches and Roundtable Sessions

John Ingram of Ingram Content Group delivered a keynote speech focusing on accessibility in publishing for smaller producers. He highlighted Ingram's extensive database with over 13 million units available globally through print-on-demand services. Ingram remarked on significant sales for non-English content in the U.S., particularly German and Spanish works.

The conference featured 30 interactive roundtable sessions led by industry experts discussing digital publishing advancements, audiobook market growth, and AI's impact on publishing processes. These sessions provided valuable networking opportunities while exploring strategies for marketing audio content and enhancing sustainability practices.

Sustainability and Future Opportunities

Participants explored environmentally friendly practices ensuring long-term viability within the industry during these sessions. Discussions included digital distribution strategies combating piracy improving sales on platforms like Amazon direct-to-consumer sales approaches organising author events dealing with global trade press investing geographically promising areas expanding businesses multiple languages.

The Sharjah Publishers Conference stands out as an annual gathering bringing together elite experts literary agents thought leaders worldwide before launching Sharjah International Book Fair addressing local global challenges exploring innovative solutions aligning market developments changing reader needs facilitating strategic partnerships translation rights exchanges among active parties.

With inputs from WAM