Sharjah:Publishers examined opportunities to generate greater value from books through translation rights, screen adaptations, and international sales across 30 roundtables on the opening day of the 16th Sharjah International Publishers Conference. The event, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), saw participation from more than 1,433 publishers.
According to Emirates News Agency, the discussions were held over four rounds and addressed topics such as rights acquisition and development, access to new markets, distribution, and the use of technology in publishing. Seven of the day's roundtables were conducted in Arabic.
Paola Francesca Corsini, a Dramatic Rights Specialist at HAB in Italy, explored opportunities to adapt books for film and television. Tuomas Sorjamaa from Rights and Brands in Finland discussed how publishers can generate value beyond the book through content rights. Meanwhile, Gergana Pancheva of Sofia Literary Agency in Bulgaria talked about selling translation rights from smaller markets.
Dr. Latifa Al Haj of Bumelha Publishing and Distribution in the UAE led an interactive roundtable titled 'Would You Buy the Rights?', focusing on how publishers can assess titles before acquiring translation rights. Neven Eltohamy of Kayan Publishing in Egypt explored the development of storyworlds, characters, and formats into publishing intellectual property for multiple projects.
Market-focused roundtables examined rights trading opportunities and publishing trends in regions including Japan, China, Latin America, and Spain. Discussions highlighted China's growing online literature and audiobook economy, rights trading in Japan, and the routes between Arab and international markets.
Ali Al-Mujaini of DarArab for Publishing and Translation in Oman discussed publishing dynamics between Oman and the United Kingdom, tracing a book's journey from the initial rights conversation to its presence in bookshops. Other sessions explored how Arabic books and literature written in less common languages can reach new audiences internationally.
Participants also discussed increasing sales through platforms like Amazon and Noon, utilizing digital channels to reach readers and bookshops, and strengthening inventory and distribution management. Additionally, the conference addressed how publishers can support authors in book marketing and adapt to changes in the media landscape.
Further sessions delved into affordable bilingual children's books, co-editions between publishing houses, and comics and graphic novel rights in North America, including independent works beyond manga and superhero publishing.
The conference also covered leadership through change, online piracy, and hybrid publishing models, with discussions on practical applications of artificial intelligence in editing, audiobook production, and marketing, as well as their implications for content rights and licensing.
The event continues on November 2 and 3 with matchmaking meetings between publishers and Boardroom Exchange sessions connecting participants with senior publishing and technology executives.