The Emirates Literature Foundation has announced the launch of a new independent publishing house, ELF Publishing.
With an initial focus on fiction, the publisher will begin accepting submissions for consideration during the Month of Reading in March.
The announcement was made at a press conference to reveal the final plans for the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, which takes place from February 3-13.
Now celebrating its 14th year, the festival has been a catalyst for boosting the popularity of reading in the UAE by bringing readers face to face with their favourite authors.
Isobel Abulhoul, CEO and trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation said: “ELF Publishing is the next piece of the jigsaw puzzle of the entire ecosystem of literature. It continues a proud tradition of literary endeavour.
“It is amazing to see what has been achieved in the last 50 years in the UAE in terms of literature and for a young country, we have certainly been punching above our weight.”
Abulhoul added: “It’s time that the world of publishing gave more attention internationally to the stories coming out of this region and our aim is to shine a spotlight on the talent that flourishes here. We want to find the undiscovered stories that deserve to be read in today’s ever-changing world, whether from Emiratis or expats.
“What we are not is a vanity publisher. We will be selecting the stories that we believe deserve to be read, operating in the traditional way, with books chosen on merit.”
Titles will be published in Arabic and English, and in translation. Initial offerings will include the second anthology of stories from Voices of Future Generations Middle East, Young Voices of Arabia 2021, which will be launched at the festival next month.
Among the first authors signed to the publishing house are Ebtisam Al Beiti and Julia Johnson, both of whom will be appearing festival.
Johnson, an established children’s writer in the region, is teaming up with Maitha Al Khayat, who will create the illustrations for Julia’s new book, in what ELF Publishing hopes will be the first of many collaborations in the region.
Ahlam Bolooki, managing director of ELF Publishing, said: “The launch of the publishing house is a natural progression for us, completing the journey that began with the first festival in 2009… it is now time to continue this symbiotic relationship with the festival by turning our attention to authors, looking forward to the next 50 years of literary success.”
Hala Badri, director general of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), added: “Literature plays a fundamental role in the UAE’s soft power and creative economy. This new publishing initiative will expand upon the national literary world and support the government’s mandate to develop a knowledge-based society, promoting a cultural and creative environment and enhancing a thriving sustainable ecosystem that will support Dubai’s economic growth and its stature as a global arts and culture hub.”
Among the top names appearing at this year’s festival will be Gary Vee, Nadiya Hussain, David Walliams, Iman Mersal, Indra Nooyi, Azza Fahmy and HE Omar Saif Ghobash, who will be launching his first novel.
The festival, which will begin with a dedicated Emirati Day on February 3, will comply with all current Covid-19 regulations, and visitors will be asked to wear masks and provide proof of vaccination, or a negative PCR taken within the previous 72 hours.
To buy tickets and for the full list of authors, visit www.emirateslitfest.com
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