Winners of the 2024 Sheikh Zayed Book Award onstage in Abu Dhabi. Image: SZBA
By Hannah Johnson | @HannahSJohnson
Deadline for Submissions: September 1
Since its inception in 2006 and the launch of its translation grant in 2018, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) has had a growing impact on its winners, their publishers, and the Arabic publishing landscape—as well as international recognition of Arabic literary and scholarly works.The Sheikh Zayed Book Award has reported more submissions, awarded more translation grants, and expanded its global network in recent years, thanks to its broad program of events and outreach.
Announcing the opening the Sheikh Zayed Book Award submissions period this year, Dr. Ali bin Tamim—chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre and secretary-general of the award—said, “The increasing number of submissions we receive each year further solidifies the award’s status in the literary community and among authors of various nationalities. The award plays a pioneering role in driving forward writing and translation efforts and building cultural bridges between countries.”
As its international visibility grows, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award is also working to increase the awareness of its categories that are open to submissions from publishers and organizations outside the Arab world.
By participating, international publishers can gain recognition for their work and tap into the award’s growing international network.
SZBA Categories Open to International Publishers
Out of the 10 categories covered by the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, several are open to international publishers:
- Translation: This category recognizes translated works either to or from Arabic. It emphasizes loyalty to the original source, linguistic accuracy, and contextual integrity. This category is ideal for publishers who have translated Arabic works into other languages or vice versa.
- Arab Culture in Other Languages: This category celebrates works produced in languages other than Arabic that explore Arab civilization and culture, including humanities, fine arts, literature, and history. Accepted languages include English, Italian, German, French, Spanish, and Russian.
- Publishing and Technology: This category is open to publishers, distributors, research institutions, and cultural institutions that promote culture through digital, visual, and audio processes. It highlights innovative approaches to publishing and disseminating Arabic literature.
- Editing of Arabic Manuscripts: This category is dedicated to the meticulous efforts in editing Arabic manuscripts, including the production of specialized and general lexicons. It accepts works written in any language, provided they contribute significantly to Arab culture and human knowledge.
SZBA Categories Reserved for Arabic Works
While several categories are open to international entries, some are specifically reserved for works written in Arabic. These include:
- Literature: Encompassing poetry, short stories, novels, biographies, theatrical plays, and other forms of literature. Winners and shortlisted titles in this category are eligible for translation grants.
- Children’s Literature: Covering literary, scientific, and cultural books aimed at children and adolescents. Winners and shortlisted titles in this category are eligible for translation grants.
- Young Author: Recognizing works in science, literature, culture, fine arts, and humanities by authors under 40. Winners and shortlisted literary titles in this category are eligible for translation grants.
- Literary and Art Criticism: Focusing on criticism in art, cinema, music, theater, imagery, architecture, sculpture, historical ruins, folkloric arts, and the history of literature and theories.
- Contribution to the Development of Nations: Consisting of books in economics, sociology, management, politics, law, and theology that contribute to a nation’s advancement.
Submission Process and Timeline
The submission period is open through September 1, 2024, and publishers should check the eligibility criteria for each category. To submit a book, register via the Sheikh Zayed Book Award online portal and submit the required nomination forms. Additionally, five hard copies of the nominated book must be sent to the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in Abu Dhabi.
Read the submission instructions and criteria here.
The timeline for the 19th edition is as follows:
- May 1 to September 1, 2024: Submissions open
- September 2024: Phase 1 evaluation (reading panels)
- October 2024: Longlists announced
- October to December 2024: Phase 2 evaluation (judging panels)
- January 2025: Phase 3 evaluation (Scientific Committee reviews judges’ reports)
- February 2025: Shortlists announced
- March 2025: Winners announced
- April 2025: Award Presentation Ceremony
For more information on the submission process, contact the award team at info@zayedaward.ae.
About the Sheikh Zayed Book Award
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award, organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), aims to recognize and reward significant scientific, literary, and cultural achievements within Arabic culture, and to share those achievements globally.
Named after the founding father of the United Arab Emirates— Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan—this award is not only one of the Arab literary world’s most prestigious honors but also carries a purse of 750,000 United Arab Emirates dirhams (US$204,209) in each of its book categories and annually has been worth a total of some 7 million dirhams (US$1.9 million). That includes the special Cultural Personality of the Year Category award’s 1 million UAE dirhams (US$272,364).
In addition, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award translation grant supports the translation, publication, and distribution of Arabic books outside the Arab world.
More from Publishing Perspectives on the Sheikh Zayed Book Award is here, more on the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center is here, more on Arabic literature is here, and more on translation is here. More from us on publishing and book awards in the international industry is here.