500 books selected under 1001 Titles
sharjah — The second phase of the ‘1001 Titles’ publishing initiative received 1,334 entries from Arab and Emirati authors and publishers, of which they approved and published 500 titles.
Launched last year to support the publication of first-edition Arabic language titles, the second edition of 1001 Titles has a budget of Dh5 million to support 700 titles submitted by members of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), and 301 books by Emirati authors.
During its participation at the 37th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), 1001 Titles hosted several book signing ceremonies to familiarise visitors with some of the titles that have been published in its second phase.
Majd Al Shehhi, manager of 1001 Titles, said: “At 1001 Titles, we are keen to promote quality homegrown books at key local, regional and international cultural events. We seek to introduce readers and publishers to the UAE’s literary achievements and enhance cross-cultural communication. Today, we are sharing a selection of books written by a host of talented Emirati authors who have enriched our local culture with their writings.
“We are here at the Sharjah International Book Fair that shows us all the leading vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. This great visionary has taken Sharjah’s and the UAE’s cultural message around the world,” she noted.
Matchmaking session
While at SIBF 2018, 1001 Titles organised a matchmaking session for authors and publishers to explore ways of collaboration. During the session, suggestions about future possible publications, which will result from these collaborations and supported by the 1001 Titles initiative were also made.