New Sharjah agency to promote writers, literary agents in the Arab world
sharjah — An agency to facilitate communication among publishers, authors, translators and creatives and regulate their operations has been launched by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA).
The Sharjah International Literary Agency (SILA) will play a vital role in ensuring that the rights of publishers and writers alike are protected. It will also help in stimulating the Arabic publishing market, while promoting Arabic literary and cultural content globally.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, chairman of SBA, said that the agency was launched to turn the spotlight on the key role of books and knowledge in reinforcing cross-cultural communication.
“Under Sharjah’s cultural project that commenced more than 40 years ago, hundreds of Arab writers have participated in varied literary activities, leading to a fruitful exchange of ideas and expertise, and uplifting the cultural scene in the emirate. SILA will continue this ongoing support for authors and creatives while also safeguarding their rights and interests,” he said.
The agency will cement Sharjah’s cultural presence on regional and global platforms. The entity will also work towards discovering young creative talents and assist them with overcoming the challenges of establishing their key regional and presence, along with offering consultative
SILA was launched to turn the spotlight on the key role of books and knowledge in reinforcing cross-cultural communication.”
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri chairman of SBA
and financial support to authors and creators.
SILA will also play the pivotal role of representing Arab authors by selling publication rights of their works to Arab and overseas publishers, and multimedia companies, including those in film, television and gaming verticals. Arab publishers who own the translations and media adaptation rights for their list of authors will also be represented by the entity. The agency will function as a sub-agent to publishers and literary agents seeking to sell translations rights of their foreign language authors to Arab publishers.