Sharjah:The Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund, also known as Onshur, has successfully concluded its Launch Track, a four-week intensive training program aimed at providing aspiring publishers with essential skills and knowledge. The initiative focuses on supporting individuals interested in establishing and growing sustainable publishing businesses.
According to Wam, the Launch Track is one of three programs offered by Onshur, which was established by H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA). The program brought together 25 participants, carefully selected from a pool of 122 applicants, to cover approximately 75 topics. These topics ranged from content selection and intellectual property rights to production, pricing, distribution, and financial planning.
The training spanned four weeks and featured a combination of specialized sessions, practical training, and field visits. Industry professionals contributed their expertise in areas such as intellectual property rights, editing, design, printing, distribution, financial management, and digital publishing. The program aimed to help participants understand the practicalities of the publishing industry and develop sustainable business plans.
Participants were introduced to crucial steps involved in establishing a publishing business, such as defining a publishing house's specialization, selecting titles, and understanding legal aspects of rights and contracts. The program also included insights into printing and production options and a field visit to Lightning Source Sharjah to explore production environments and printing solutions.
Beyond book production, the training encompassed developing a digital presence and utilizing artificial intelligence for editorial and commercial tasks. Participants learned about reaching readers through bookshops, book fairs, and online platforms, and explored licensing requirements and book permits during a visit to Sharjah Publishing City.
Financial management was a key focus, with sessions covering revenue and expense tracking, invoicing, banking, VAT, corporate tax, and accounting software. Attendees also gained insights into calculating production costs, assessing profit margins, determining distribution discounts, setting book prices, and developing financial plans.
The program concluded with training on presenting business proposals, developing project pitches, and explaining business models to potential investors and decision-makers.