Sharjah Book Authority launches international literary agency

The new initiative will help promote Arabic literary and cultural content around the world

Sharjah announced a second economic stimulus package to fight the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Courtesy Sharjah Book Authority

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has launched the Sharjah International Literary Agency (Sila), an organisation that, besides boosting the regional Arabic publishing market, will promote Arabic literary and cultural content globally.

Facilitating communication between publishers, authors, translators and creatives, Sila will work towards discovering young talents and helping them overcome the challenges of establishing a regional and international presence. The agency will also offer consultative and financial support to authors and creators while ensuring their intellectual rights are protected.

Sila will also help promote Arab authors by selling publication rights of their works to Arab and overseas publishers, as well as multimedia companies, including those in film, television and gaming industries.

The agency will also function as a sub-agent to publishers and literary agents seeking to sell translated rights of foreign language-authors to Arab publishers.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, chairman of SBA, said the launch of the agency reinforces the authority’s commitment to support the industry locally and regionally, and actively promote the role of books, as well as writers and creatives in society.

"The SBA will continue to support Emirati and Arab publishers and promote their offerings globally through Sila," he said. "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."