The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has announced that registration is now open for the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) Awards 2024. This prestigious initiative aims to honour authors, publishers, and translators for their contributions to enriching Arabic and international literature.
The deadline for submissions is August 31, 2024, and the winners will be announced during the opening ceremony of the 43rd edition of SIBF. This annual event aims to celebrate and promote literary talents, foster a culture of reading, and advance the global publishing industry.
The annual SIBF awards reflect SBA’s commitment to the vision and directives of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to enhance SIBF’s status and role in motivating and boosting the writing, translating, and publishing of Arabic and international books. The awards also recognize and honorcreative visionaries who offer the world enlightening content in recognition of their outstanding efforts.
With a prize pool of Dh625,000, the annual awards are divided into several main categories: the Sharjah Award for Emirati Books, the Sharjah Award for the Best Arabic Novel, the Sharjah Award for the Best International Book, and the Sharjah Publisher Recognition Award. Participants can submit their entries and find more details about the criteria and rules on the SIBF’s official website: www.sibf.com/ar/awards.
The Sharjah Award for Emirati Books encompasses four subcategories with a prize pool of worth Dh300,000, celebrating and incentivizing Emirati literary talents. ‘The Best Emirati Book for First-Time Authors’, with a prize of Dh50,000, honors debut novels by emerging Emirati authors. ‘The Best Emirati Novel Award’, ‘Best Emirati Creative Literature Book’, and ‘Best Emirati Academic Book’ subcategories aim to encourage and recognize the efforts of authors, researchers, and publishers in enriching the UAE’s collection with outstanding and valuable literary and academic works.
The Dh150,000 Sharjah Award for the Best Arabic Novel is equally divided between the author and the publisher, honoring exceptional works of fiction that exemplify authenticity, originality, and inventive literary techniques. This prestigious award celebrates novels that offer fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to exploring the complexities and challenges of the Arab world, showcasing the transformative power of literature.
The Dh100,000 Sharjah Award for the Best International Book distinguishes exemplary works in both fiction and non-fiction written in English, divided into two distinct subcategories. The ‘Best International Fiction Book’ subcategory recognizes captivating novels and short story collections that engage and inspire readers through imaginative storytelling. Meanwhile, the ‘Best International Non-Fiction Book’ subcategory acknowledges impactful non-fiction works that provide valuable insights into social issues and historical events, enriching readers’ understanding with factual and thought-provoking content.
The Dh75,000 Sharjah Publisher Recognition Award celebrates and incentivizes innovation within the publishing industry, acknowledging excellence across three distinct subcategories, each valued at Dh25,000: ‘Best Local Publisher,’ ‘Best Arab Publisher’ and ‘Best International Publisher’. This prestigious award aims to inspire publishers to elevate their contributions to the literary world, recognizing their achievements in fostering and promoting exceptional works from local, regional, and global authors. By honoring these publishers, the award encourages ongoing advancement and creativity in the field of publishing.
