Inaugural PublisHer Excellence Awards Winners Celebrated At Bologna Children’s Book Fair

The inaugural PublisHer Excellence Awards, a landmark event celebrating women's contributions to the international publishing industry, recently concluded at the 2024 Bologna Children’s Book Fair. This ceremony highlighted the achievements of women who have instigated positive change within the sector. Bodour Al Qasimi, the founder of PublisHer, lauded the winners and nominees for their impactful work and dedication to enhancing the publishing landscape globally.

With 113 applicants vying for the awards, a jury of esteemed female leaders in publishing undertook the task of selecting the winners. The panel included Emma House from Oreham Group, Arpita Das of Yoda Press, Latoya West-Blackwood, Caroline Fortin of Quebec Amerique International, and Trasvin Jittidecharak from Silkworm Books. Their deliberations over six months culminated in the selection of three outstanding winners from nine finalists.

Anne Friebel of Palomaa Publishing was honored with the Innovation Award for her establishment of "The Female Publisher" network. This digital platform fosters connections among women in the German-speaking publishing market, promoting dialogue and support. Friebel’s role as co-host of the "Die Bücher unserer Zukunft" podcast further underscores her commitment to elevating female voices and addressing industry challenges.

Mitia Osman, leading Mayurpankhi and Agamee Prakashani, received the Emerging Leader Award. As the first woman to found a children’s publishing house in Bangladesh, Osman’s efforts have significantly contributed to advocating for gender diversity within the publishing realm both locally and internationally.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Shirley Yvonne Carby of Carlong Publishers Caribbean Ltd., recognizing her 45-year dedication to publishing in Jamaica and the broader Caribbean region. Carby’s work has been instrumental in training authors and professionals while promoting literacy and expanding knowledge across Caribbean societies.

The awards ceremony was part of a broader PublisHer program at the Bologna Fair, featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions with prominent publishing figures, and networking opportunities. These initiatives underscore PublisHer’s commitment to empowering women in publishing, encouraging them to excel further and support one another amidst ongoing industry challenges.

The PublisHer Excellence Awards not only celebrate achievements but also spotlight the crucial role women play in enriching and advancing the publishing industry. Through recognition and support, these awards aim to inspire future generations of female publishers to pursue excellence and make lasting impacts in their fields.

With inputs from WAM