Sharjah 24: The Sharjah Literary Agency (SLA) continues to make waves throughout the global literary ecosystem, advancing the reach of Arab authors through numerous international translation and copyright agreements. SLA promotes the cultural wealth of Arabic literature, reflecting its commitment to excellence in the publishing industry.
Over the past year, SLA’s participation in prominent international book fairs — including those in London, Frankfurt, Thessaloniki, Seoul, and Riyadh — has led to significant accomplishments in translation requests that reached 59 requests and deals during the Sharjah Publishers Conference.
Speaking on the agency’s international efforts, Tamer Said, Director of SLA, stated, “Our mission is to elevate Arabic literature onto the global stage, ensuring that the rich, diverse voices from the Arab world are heard and appreciated far beyond our region. Under the experienced leadership of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, we are dedicated to establishing a global appreciation for Arabic storytelling, and our recent translation deals represent a major step towards this goal.”
Expanding the reach of Arab luminaries
Among the recent successful deals and partnerships, SLA has confirmed the production of eight books in Greece, in addition to two poetry collections which were launched at the Thessaloniki Book Fair 2024, where Sharjah was the official Guest of Honour.
Additionally, SLA has secured translation and copyright deals for a further 51 books to be published around the world including three in Armenia, nine in Georgia, two in India, sixteen in Macedonia, four in Mexico, five in Nigeria, six in Serbia, four in Brazil and two in Ukraine. This extensive outreach has strengthened SLA’s position as a pivotal player in broadening the global presence of Arabic literature, showcasing the richness and diversity of the region’s literary contributions to a wider audience.
247 titles by 42 renowned authors
The agency’s fiction, children and poetry collection now spans 247 titles by renowned authors.
With an expanding network and growing influence, SLA is paving the way for a broader global audience to discover and enjoy the depth and richness of Arabic literature. Through their dedicated efforts, the agency continues to bridge cultural gaps, bringing compelling stories from the Arab world to readers worldwide.
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