Sharjah: The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has officially started accepting applications for the highly esteemed Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) Awards 2023. These awards, consisting of five main categories and nine associated accolades, aim to honour outstanding achievements in writing, publishing, and translation within the Arab intellectual, cultural, literary, and social landscape.
As part of its commitment to supporting and inspiring budding Emirati novelists, the SBA has introduced a new category specifically dedicated to highlighting the work, perspectives, and voices of first-time Emirati authors.
Authors and publishers from the UAE, the Arab region, and around the world are invited to submit their entries for these global awards through the official website of the book fair until August 31st, 2023. The winners of the 2023 SIBF Awards will be announced during the grand opening ceremony of the 42nd Sharjah International Book Fair in November 2023, held at the Expo Centre Sharjah.
With a prize pool exceeding $ 544,106 (AED 2 million), the awards are divided into five main categories: Sharjah Translation ‘Turjuman’ Award, Sharjah Award for an Emirati Book, Sharjah Award for the Best Arabic Novel, Sharjah Award for the Best International Book, and the Sharjah Publisher Recognition Award.
The prestigious Sharjah Translation ‘Turjuman’ Award, now in its 7th year, continues to celebrate talented translators and publishers who play a crucial role in bringing Arabic literary works to non-Arab readers worldwide. The prize of $381,140 (AED 1.4 million) is divided between the translator and the publishers of the original Arabic work and its translation.
The Sharjah Award for an Emirati Book has introduced a new category, “Best Emirati Book for First-Time Authors,” which aims to encourage and promote emerging local writers. The category recognizes outstanding debut novels by awarding $ 13,617 (AED 50,000) to the author who demonstrates literary prowess and creative ingenuity.
Other categories include the Sharjah Award for the Best Arabic Novel, which honors original works showcasing fresh themes and creative perspectives relevant to the Arab world, and the Sharjah Award for the Best International Book, divided into fiction and non-fiction subcategories, which recognizes outstanding literary works in English.
The Sharjah Publisher Recognition Award, with a prize of $ 20,426 (AED 75,000), is distributed equally among winners in three sub-categories: Best Local Publisher, Best Arab Publisher, and Best International Publisher, acknowledging their contributions to advancing the global publishing industry.