Onshur Selects 25 Aspiring Publishers for Transformative Launch Programme
The Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund has chosen a select cohort of emerging publishing entrepreneurs for an intensive four-day professional development initiative, equipping them with the knowledge and business acumen to establish thriving, sustainable publishing enterprises.
The Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) has unveiled its “Launch” track, welcoming 25 aspiring publishers selected from 122 applicants into a comprehensive professional development programme. Running through October 18 at the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) headquarters, this intensive initiative combines publishing industry expertise with practical business training tailored for emerging entrepreneurs seeking to establish sustainable publishing ventures.
The curriculum addresses the multifaceted challenges confronting new publishers, from maintaining content excellence whilst managing production costs to identifying readership and constructing robust business plans. The programme begins with publishing fundamentals, including publishing models, the complete book lifecycle, and the sequential stages from defining a publishing house’s identity through content selection, development and editing.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chief Executive of the SBA, emphasised the foundational importance of human capital investment: “The sustainability of the publishing industry starts with investing in the people who lead it and equipping a new generation of publishers with the knowledge and tools to build businesses that can grow and endure.” He noted that this vision aligns with the cultural direction established by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and advanced by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the SBA.
Subsequent modules navigate the legal and commercial dimensions of publishing, encompassing copyright, contractual frameworks, rights acquisition and revenue generation. Participants will develop visual identity and brand strategies, establish digital platforms, and learn to present their businesses effectively to target audiences. The programme includes a field visit to Lightning Source Sharjah, affording practical insight into contemporary print-on-demand production processes.
Distribution strategies form another critical component, covering bookstore placement, e-commerce platform integration, online store development, and inventory management. Participants will explore licensing requirements, book permits, ISBN acquisition and the services available at Sharjah Publishing City.
The curriculum extends to digital publishing models, examining e-books and audiobooks alongside the platforms facilitating their distribution. Financial management receives dedicated attention, with training in cost-revenue relationships, income and expense management, pricing strategies, profit margin analysis and distribution discount calculation. The programme also addresses emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence applications in editing, content enhancement, translation, social media development and contract drafting, alongside intellectual property considerations surrounding AI-generated content.
The concluding sessions prepare participants to articulate their business concepts compellingly, developing pitches that communicate their distinctive value proposition and operational strategy. Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Global Markets at SBA, observed that successful publishing businesses unite quality content with market understanding and resource management, capabilities the Launch track systematically develops.
Source: WAM