Onshur Publishing Programme Equips Emerging Publishers with Comprehensive Industry Expertise
The Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund has successfully completed its intensive Launch Track, providing 25 selected participants with rigorous training spanning 75 critical topics across all dimensions of contemporary publishing enterprise.
The Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund, Onshur, has concluded its Launch Track, a meticulously crafted four-week educational programme designed to furnish aspiring publishers with the sophisticated skills and profound knowledge requisite for establishing and nurturing sustainable publishing enterprises. Established under the visionary leadership of H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, Onshur operates through three distinct tracks tailored to support publishers at varying stages of their professional development.
The inaugural Launch Track programme welcomed 25 carefully selected participants drawn from a competitive pool of 122 applicants. The curriculum encompassed approximately 75 comprehensive topics spanning content acquisition and intellectual property rights, production methodologies, pricing strategies, distribution channels and sophisticated financial planning. Over four weeks, the programme seamlessly integrated specialised instructional sessions with practical, hands-on training and illuminating field visits, enriched by contributions from distinguished industry professionals specialising in intellectual property law, editorial excellence, design innovation, printing technologies, distribution networks, financial stewardship and digital publishing transformation.
Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Global Markets at the Sharjah Book Authority, observed that the publishing industry currently experiences profound structural changes, necessitating newly established businesses to develop nuanced understanding of market dynamics and cultivate agility in responding to emerging trends. She emphasised that Onshur, guided by the vision and directives of H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, endeavours to prepare aspiring publishers to establish ventures possessing genuine potential for enduring growth and prosperity.
The Launch Track guided participants through the essential foundations of publishing enterprise establishment, encompassing the definition of a publishing house’s area of specialisation, the thoughtful selection of titles, the systematic development of publishing lists, and the comprehensive understanding of legal considerations pertaining to intellectual property rights and contractual arrangements. Participants explored diverse printing and production methodologies, acquiring expertise in selecting the most appropriate model according to the particular nature and financial requirements of each publication. A particularly valuable field visit to Lightning Source Sharjah afforded participants direct, immersive experience within a contemporary production environment and exposure to advanced printing solutions available to modern publishers.
The instructional scope extended significantly beyond traditional book production to encompass the development of digital presence, the strategic application of artificial intelligence tools for selected editorial and commercial functions, and the cultivation of reader engagement through bookshops, book fairs and sophisticated online platforms. Participants acquired essential knowledge regarding licensing requirements and book permit procedures. An educational visit to Sharjah Publishing City provided participants with comprehensive insight into the facilities and specialised services available to support publishers in establishing and operating their businesses within a thriving ecosystem.
Financial management instruction addressed revenue and expense documentation, invoicing systems, banking relationships, value-added tax and corporate tax considerations, and contemporary accounting software platforms. Participants developed proficiency in calculating production costs, assessing profit margins with precision, determining appropriate distribution discounts, establishing competitive book prices and formulating robust financial projections. The programme further explored digital publishing paradigms, including e-books, audiobooks and online distribution platforms, alongside strategic approaches to responding to evolving reader preferences and market dynamics.
The programme culminated in sophisticated training encompassing the presentation of compelling business proposals, the development of persuasive project pitches and the articulate communication of business models to potential investors and decision-making authorities, thereby equipping participants for successful capital acquisition and stakeholder engagement.
Source: WAM News Agency