Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi Opens 14th Sharjah Publishers Conference

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), officially opened the 14th annual Sharjah Publishers Conference at the Expo Centre Sharjah. This influential three-day event, hosted by SBA in partnership with the International Publishers Association, kicks off just before the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair, set to open on Wednesday.

The conference has drawn over 1,000 publishers and literary agents from 108 countries, along with 74 speakers. This large international participation reflects the event’s significance as a platform where global publishing professionals share ideas, create partnerships, and discuss the future of publishing, especially around rights, distribution, and sales.

Opening Remarks from Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi

In her opening speech, Sheikha Bodour emphasized the importance of a collaborative and inclusive publishing world. She stated, “The Sharjah Publishers Conference is our commitment to creating a global publishing community that encourages cultural exchange and innovation. As the publishing industry faces rapid changes, our role is to support new voices and maintain a publishing landscape that connects people across borders.”

Honoring Leaders in Publishing Rights and Translation

On the conference’s first day, Sheikha Bodour, alongside SBA CEO Ahmed Al Ameri, recognized outstanding individuals in the publishing rights sector through the Sharjah Rights Connection Awards. This award honors professionals who excel in translation rights and publishing development:

• Kalem Agency (Turkey): Represented by Founder Nermin Mollaoğlu, won in the “Publishing Houses” category.
• Ahmed Bedeir (Dar El Shorouk, Egypt): Awarded in the “Independent Professionals” category.
• Special Appreciation Award: Given posthumously to Bassam Chebaro, Founder of Arab Scientific Publishers.
• Appreciation Award: Presented to Bill Kennedy, Founder of Avicenna Partnership Ltd.

Keynote Conversation with Chantal Restivo-Alessi

Chantal Restivo-Alessi, Chief Digital Officer and CEO of International Foreign Language at HarperCollins Publishers, spoke with Publishing Perspectives’ Porter Anderson. Restivo-Alessi discussed the future of publishing, highlighting the “Glocal” trend—local adaptations of popular genres—alongside the growth of translated works in English. She noted that the industry’s expansion has made books more accessible to younger readers and is driving cross-cultural understanding worldwide.

John Ingram on Publishing Accessibility and Diversity

John Ingram, Chairman of Ingram Content Group, shared insights on accessibility and diversity in publishing, particularly for smaller publishers. Ingram explained that over 25% of their global catalogue includes non-English works, with high demand for German and Spanish content, and promising opportunities for Arabic content in U.S. libraries.

Interactive Sessions on the Future of Publishing

The conference’s first day featured 30 roundtable sessions where industry leaders explored topics shaping modern publishing. Key discussions included:

• Digital Publishing and Audiobook Market: Examining strategies to grow audiobook sales and the role of AI in content production and marketing.
• Sustainability in Publishing: Exploring eco-friendly practices and long-term sustainability.
• Direct-to-Consumer Strategies: Topics like Amazon sales, anti-piracy measures, and event organization with authors.

Building a Future for Global Publishing

The Sharjah Publishers Conference is an important annual event that brings together top publishing experts, literary agents, and leaders from around the world. Held just before the Sharjah International Book Fair, the conference serves as a hub for discussing the latest challenges in publishing, finding innovative solutions, and forming strategic partnerships. It is also a leading venue for negotiating translation rights and expanding global publishing networks.

The Sharjah Publishers Conference stands as a beacon for the publishing community, fostering international cooperation and strengthening the industry to meet the evolving needs of readers worldwide.