Sharjah:The 16th Sharjah International Publishers Conference commenced on Sunday, bringing together publishing industry leaders and experts from around the globe. The conference, which will run until November 3rd, will address 30 significant industry topics and include business meetings for publishers and literary agents to exchange rights and explore partnerships.
According to Wam, the conference opened with a keynote address by H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, followed by Ahmed bin Saud Al Rawahi, Director of the Muscat International Book Fair, representing Oman, the Guest of Honour at the Sharjah International Book Fair. Sanyu Dillon, President of the Random House Group at Penguin Random House in the US, is also a featured speaker in the opening programme.
The first day's sessions cover topics such as the use of artificial intelligence in book editing, proofreading, marketing, audiobook production, and distribution. Additional discussions will focus on publishing and translation rights in the digital economy, adapting books for film and television, and transforming content into intellectual property. The conference will also delve into international market expansion opportunities, book marketing through platforms like Amazon and Noon, and the media landscape's impact on reaching readers.
Arabic-language sessions will explore AI's role in growing small and medium-sized publishing houses, acquiring translation rights, and developing books into intellectual property assets. There will also be discussions on cross-market publishing between Oman and the United Kingdom, digital distribution, inventory management, and expanding the reach of Arabic books internationally.
Continuing on Monday and Tuesday, the conference will feature one-to-one business meetings with publishers, literary agents, and industry representatives exploring collaboration opportunities and trade publishing and translation rights. The programme includes Boardroom Exchange meetings and a dedicated session on Monday to discuss the Marrakesh Treaty's implementation and advancing accessible publishing practices across the Arab region.
The conference precedes the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair, opening on November 4th, and is part of the Sharjah Book Authority's professional programmes designed to support publishers in enhancing their capabilities, accessing international markets, and building stronger global industry connections.