The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has launched the Rights Connection Award, the winners of which will be announced during the 12th edition of the Publishers Conference (30 October – 1 November, 2022), as a lead-up to the annual Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) to be held from 2 to 13 November, 2022.
The debut award aims to support rights professionals and enhance opportunities for industry growth. The award will be presented in two categories – one for individual professionals selling translation rights in publishing houses, and the second for independent professionals working with agencies specialized in selling book rights to publishers and licensors.
The SIBF Publishers Conference was launched in 2011 with a groundbreaking rights translation grant programme that has supported the translation of works across all languages. The SIBF translation grant has since enabled the publication of 1,672 books in 41 languages. The vibrant matchmaking programme with dialogue sessions and introductory meetings has been the axis of several new connections across rights, allowing new publishers and markets to enter the fray.
The SIBF Publishers Conference is a robust platform for buying and selling rights, signing book deals, exploring opportunities for translations, and serving the commercial interests of the sector.
On the announcement of the new award, SBA Chairman Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri says, “Our new award for rights professionals is in line with the directives and vision of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to foster the development of knowledge, culture, and creative environment in Sharjah and the UAE, and support the development of the global publishing industry. The new award also strengthens the position and role of the UAE in stimulating creative industries and enhancing global competitiveness in this sector.”
Al Ameri adds, “Over the past decade, SBA has been proud to put rights trading at the centre of our activities as a fitting reflection of its role at the core of the publishing industry. Protection of copyright and other related rights of creators is vital to disseminate knowledge and guarantee the sustainability of the global publishing industry.”
Registrations for the Rights Connection Award are open up to 7 October, 2022. For submitting applications and other details log on to sibf.com
