Publishers Conference

The Sharjah Publishers Conference, organized annually by the Sharjah Book Authority, gathers publishers, literary agents, experts, and specialists. This event enhances both the local and international publishing industry by fostering the exchange of professional expertise and market insights. The conference brings participants together to address the evolving nature of the global book industry. Held as part of the Sharjah International Book Fair, the conference demonstrates Sharjah’s commitment to developing the publishing ecosystem and promoting the exchange of cultures and markets. The program features seminars on major global trends and facilitates business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking.

The 15th Sharjah Publishers Conference will run from Sunday, 1st to Tuesday, 3rd November 2026, ahead of the Sharjah International Book Fair. It targets professionals in publishing, especially those involved in translation and rights trading.

The program features expert-led seminars, afternoon networking, business discussions, social events, and the Publisher Recognition Award.

Welcoming participants from over 70 countries, the conference offers direct access to Arab and international publishing figures, one-on-one meetings, and the $300,000 SIBF Translation Grant for deals made during the event.

The Translation Grant of Sharjah Publisher Conference was launched in 2011 and helps publishers to cover the costs of translating the books both from and to Arabic. The grant supports the cultural exchange and the spread of Arabic literature to the world with a support of $1500-$4000 and a yearly budget of $300,000.It owns both ways of translation and reflects the interests of Sharjah in terms of intellectual dialogue. The program belongs to wider efforts led by Sharjah Book Authority and the International Book Fair to increase the exposure of the Arab literature to the international scene.