The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has officially unveiled the 13th edition of the annual Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) Publishers Conference. Scheduled to be held from October 29th to 31st at the Sharjah Expo Centre.
This prestigious event will serve as a global gathering point for publishers, distributors, and book experts hailing from 101 different countries. Notably, seven of these nations Benin, Ivory Coast, Czech Republic, Mauritius, Paraguay, Burkina Faso, and Zaire are making their debut appearances at the conference, marking a significant milestone in international literary exchange.
The conference, which precedes SIBF, will feature a distinguished lineup of experts who will delve into the latest developments and challenges in the publishing industry.
The event, renowned for covering various aspects of the publishing industry, will converge topics such as marketing, licensing, sales, procurement, and the effective implementation of recommendations from renowned publishing experts. These insights are designed to have a positive and far-reaching impact on all stakeholders in the publishing world, encompassing authors, publishers, translators, literary agents, and readers alike.
The discussions will explore an array of innovative solutions and experiences aimed at expanding the reach of books and creative industries into new markets. Notably, the conferences agenda includes various topics, such as the mechanisms and opportunities in digital publishing and the production of audio books, both of which have seen significant growth in recent years.
The conferences agenda offers participants valuable opportunities to tap into the expertise of renowned specialists and trainers in creating a sustainable future for publishing. It prioritises expanding participant numbers to facilitate coordinated meetings with individuals, and facilitate discourse in successful and inspirational experiences. Additionally, networking opportunities will forge connections, advancing the publishing industry within their respective countries and help the exchange of effective strategies. This multi-faceted approach ensures the success and growth of participating businesses and organisations.
The conference will also serve as a platform and an opportunity to finalise copyright and translation deals between parties, while bolstering collaboration between literary agents from different countries, across several languages.
Another major highlight of the conference will be the second edition of the Sharjah Rights Connection Award, through which the SBA celebrates the invaluable and innovative contributions made by rights professionals. The recipients of this award are recognised and rewarded for their remarkable efforts to protect the intellectual rights of creative publishing experts.
Submissions for the second edition of the award concluded on August 31, 2023, which comprised two distinct categories. The first of these categories is exclusively for translation rights professionals employed within publishing companies, while the second is open to independent professionals and those affiliated with agencies specialising in the sale of copyrights to publishers and licensors.
