Sharjah Publishers Conference Highlights Importance Of Accessibility And Diversity In Storytelling

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, inaugurated the 15th Sharjah International Publishers Conference. The event, held at Expo Centre Sharjah from 2-4 November, hosts 1,258 publishers from 116 countries. This conference precedes the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair. Sheikha Bodour emphasised the importance of unity in making stories accessible and diverse.

The opening ceremony saw notable attendees including Ahmed Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; Gvantsa Jobava, President of the International Publishers Association (IPA); Madeline McIntosh, Co-founder and CEO of Authors Equity; and Phaedon Kidoniatis, Vice-President of the Federation of European Publishers (FEP). They were joined by senior leaders from international publishing associations.

Gvantsa Jobava highlighted the current era as an exciting time for publishers. "What a time it is to be a publisher," she remarked. She noted that advancements in accessibility technologies like audiobooks have expanded the reach of books globally. Governments and cultural leaders are increasingly recognising the value of fostering a reading culture.

Madeline McIntosh discussed industry transformations with Jo Henry during a session. She stressed that authors are crucial to a book's success due to their ability to connect authentically with readers. McIntosh also pointed out that small publishers are leading innovation through new partnership models with authors.

Phaedon Kidoniatis delivered a keynote address highlighting Greece’s role as Guest of Honour. He described it as an opportunity for cultural exchange and exploration of shared heritage. Kidoniatis also mentioned Greece's contributions to global progress through its scholars and innovators.

The conference introduced new features like the ‘Boardroom Exchange’. This initiative offers exclusive 30-minute meetings between senior executives from publishing and tech firms with international participants. These sessions provide opportunities for discussing ideas and gaining insights.

Workshops and Discussions

The first day featured 31 workshops focusing on digital transformation in publishing. A major topic was artificial intelligence's role in editing, translation, and marketing. Discussions emphasised ethical implementation to unlock new markets while exploring contemporary marketing strategies using digital platforms.

Roundtables facilitated discussions on audiobooks' future, sustainable print practices, and accessible publishing for people with disabilities. Participants examined strategies to transform economic challenges into growth opportunities within the sector.

Future Collaborations

The conference will continue over two more days with matchmaking sessions aimed at fostering collaborations between publishers and literary agents. These meetings focus on translation rights sales and strategic partnerships between regional and international publishing houses.

This event serves as a dynamic platform for exchanging business opportunities across the global book industry, reinforcing its role in connecting content creators worldwide.

With inputs from WAM