Writers invited to submit works for book award

Submissions for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award are now open and will be accepted until Oct. 1. Submissions across nine categories include Literature, Translation and Arab Culture in Other Languages. Authors, translators, publishers and universities may all nominate works

Previous winners include Dame Marina Warner (UK), Amin Maalouf (France), Banipal Magazine (UK), Professor Philip Kennedy (US), Institut du Monde Arab (France).

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award, one of the Arab world’s most prestigious literary prizes is now open for submissions. The award, which has been described as the “the Arab world’s equivalent to the Nobel prize”, has a reputation for highlighting the most exciting, and often the most challenging work from and about the Arab world.

Each winner receives prize money of 750,000 UAE dirhams ($204,000 USD) to both recognize and further enable their creative and cultural achievements.

Now in its 15th year, the annual award aims to recognise some of the most challenging and exciting work coming out of the Arab world or engaging with its culture, including both literary and scholarly works. Writers, translators, academics, and publishers from around the world are awarded for their exceptional contributions to advancing Arabic literature and culture.

Authors, publishers, and translators of any nationality can make submissions, which are welcomed from all countries in Arabic and other languages. To register and submit online, visit the SZBA submissions website register.zayed award.ae.

Submissions are open across nine categories, representing the range and breadth of Arab culture: Literature (including both fiction and poetry); Young Author (for writers under the age of 40); Children’s Literature; Cultural Personality of the Year; Publishing and Technology; Arabic Culture in Other Languages; Translation – either to or from Arabic; Literary and Art Criticism; Contribution to the Development of Nations

More information about individual categories is available on the Sheikh Zayed Book Award website zayedaward.ae