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The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ) and the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), recently organised a panel discussion, where over 30 local and international publishers were invited. Jade Robertson, International Publishing Director of Austin Macauley, was one of publishers attending the panel.

The gathering aimed at bringing-forth the key challenges faced by the publishing industry and how SPCFZ and EPA can collaborate to overcome challenges and ensure the progressive growth of the publishing sector.

Salim Omar Salim, the Director of SPCFZ and Rashed Al Kous, the Executive Director EPA, lead the discussion. While presenting his views, Mr Salim said: “The discussion of challenges and solutions opens the way for publishers to explore new opportunities and collaborations, share successful experiences, and rally efforts to accelerate the growth of the publishing industry.”

He further added, “We are working on adding more services in the future to facilitate the workings of publishing businesses in the UAE more comprehensively. We have also showcased our plan to forge new strategic agreements with several government departments to support publishing professionals and the book industry.”

While talking to the publishers, the Executive Director EPA, Mr Al Kous emphasized on the importance of transparent dialogues between local publishers, especially those based in the SPCFZ. He said that it would be a great source of information for the Free Zone officials that will help them stay up to date regarding different challenges publishers face, in daily operations and effectively tackling them.

International Publishing Director of Austin Macauley, Jade Robertson shared her views on the panel discussion. She said that our company started its regional operations with the SPCFZ a couple of years ago. She further praised the Free Zone for its continuous support by providing numerous opportunities to expand into Arab markets and get benefits from the EPA’s leading initiatives.

Fatima Al Tamimi who is the owner of Awrqa Publishing house said that the panel discussion went very well. It was informative and helped her understand the services and offerings at the SPCFZ in details.

Director-General of Al Borj Media Publishing and Distribution, Ashraf Shaheen, said that such discussion session would help us gather different views. He added that these sessions will prove to enhance cooperation between local, Arab and international publishing houses in the UAE.

Austin Macauley took part in a charitable cause in working with Book Aid International to get books around the world to those in need. The donation covered all genres, age-groups and reading levels which will help not only children but people of all ages. We aim to explore new talent and ideas in new and established writer’s works, but we also support several non-profit organizations working to make reading accessible to all.

We realise that a book lover wants to make sure his favourite books live a full second life and are well-taken care off, therefore we recommend donating books to Book Aid, a trustworthy charity which believes that books have the power to change lives. Its mission is to promote literacy and reading culture by providing the less fortunate with an opportunity to read.

If you want to contribute to Book Aid, donate now: https://bookaid.org/donate/

Because Lives Are Influenced By Books!

We were delighted to be a sponsor for such an innovative seminar this June, together with many key organisations in our community, to name a few; Emirates Publishers Association, Sharjah World Book Capital, Association of American Publishers, Liberty Education UK, Nielsen, The London Book Fair, Emaar and Emirates.

Our minds were broadened by the endless possibilities and progressions the publishing communities within Africa put across. Opinions and insights were provided from the likes of publishers, authors, supporting organisations and governing bodies. Global representatives shared their support and cooperation with the African countries and their mission to transform the future of African publishing.

The seminar featured keynotes by globally renowned authors, decision makers, and industry thought leaders; in addition to panel sessions and workshops on themes addressing the most pressing challenges facing the African publishing industry. These discussions ranged from the importance of copyright protection, the threats of self-censorship and piracy, to the struggle of preserving indigenous languages and development of supporting data for publishing industries.

Africa is home to an incredible amount of spoken languages, a key part of the seminar looked into the progression that has already began in publishing for these native speakers. This diversity is also shared in other continents. Six out of ten children globally are not taught in their mother tongue, causing their learning process to be hindered immediately when they begin education.

Recent growth in technology has benefitted all nationalities by developments in online translations, and by fault, causing many positive impacts on accessing the indigenous languages of Africa. The goal of gaining a one to one textbook to pupil ratio is developing into the goal of every child in Africa having access to a textbook and digital teaching aid. The support of technology has potential to combat many difficulties, that schools in particularly, face when trying to educate.

 

Jade Robertson, Our International Publishing Director at Austin Macauley Publishers recently had an interview on Sharjah TV at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival.

Austin Macauley Publishers were proudly part of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival for a second time this year. The whole event was an incredible success with immense opportunities for booksellers, publishers, agents, ethnic bodies and press at large. The complete event was meticulously covered by Sharjah TV, in which we had a chance to talk about some of our upcoming titles in the UAE.

A prominent name among the most influential women in business in UAE, Jade Robertson, who is the International Publishing Director of the company, comprehensively shared her views about the practices and efforts of Austin Macauley in an interview with Sharjah TV. Robertson shared her views in the following words, ‘We aim to promote written words, encourage reading especially amongst young children’. She further added that the biggest publications from the brand were complementing the matter of the year – tolerance. The books displayed in the event were mostly about teaching children to be more tolerant.

To see the interview in full please click here.

Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is one of the largest book fairs in the world, the most prestigious in the Arab world and home to the most exciting literary event in the region. The main aim of SIBF is to encourage reading among people, especially the younger generation, by making quality books accessible to them at affordable prices. In 2013 the prestigious publication “The Bookseller” named SIBF as one of the top four books fairs globally.

SIBF is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who strives to promote literacy, reading and the preservation of culture in the emirate. Through his vision Sharjah has been named the Islamic Culture Capital in 2014, for its unparalleled contributions to the preservation of heritage and culture.

Running annually since its inception, SIBF attracts millions of visitors from around the world, hosts some of the biggest names in publishing and the cultural sphere and organises hundreds of events over its 11-day duration. The 34th edition of the SIBF in 2015 saw participation from Egyptian actor Mohammed Sobhy, Irish writer Darren Shan, BBC and Sky TV presenter and writer John McCarthy, Nigerian Booker Prize winning writer and poet Ben Okri and Indian actor Mohanlal.

Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities during the fair with many events geared specifically to children. This ranges from writing workshops to poetry readings, book signings, international and local author sessions, as well as plays, arts and crafts activities. SIBF even hosts a Cookery Corner, where renowned chefs demonstrate their very own recipes and present tasty dishes.

In 2016 there were 1420 publishing houses from 60 countries exhibiting at SIBF and over 1.5 million books in 210 languages on display. It received 2.3 million visitors firmly placing the emirate on the map as a cultural focal point.

Visitors enjoy the fair for the great discounts on all books on sale (25% off the published price), while authors have the chance to meet their readers and interact with some of the world’s best writers, and exhibitors are attracted by the prestigious longevity of the Festival.

The second edition of the joint conference between Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) and American Library Association (ALA) was held in 2015 bringing together 255 librarians from 16 countries with expert speakers delving into topics of importance for professionals in public, academic and government libraries.

Other initiatives running at the SIBF include the Translation Grant, a Sharjah Government initiative funding the translation of books for both regional and international publishers, and the Culture Café with poetry readings and cultural events from regional personalities.