Community Stage - Hall 10
This session explores how the traditional authority of the publisher has been impacted by digital advancements, with the rise of self-publishing and electronic distribution platforms. It discusses the shifts in the relationship between publishers and authors, and how the role of the publisher has evolved from being the primary controller of the book industry to becoming a partner in the creative process. The session also highlights new models in digital publishing and the dilemmas surrounding the relationship between publishers and authors, particularly regarding which party holds the greater authority.
Author
Manager Mamdouh Adwan Publishing House
Author and Publisher
Jamal AlShehi is a writer and publisher, holding a Bachelor's degree in Humanities and a Master's degree from the United States. He founded Kuttab Publishing in 2010, aiming to support Emirati and Arab literature. He also opened Maqha Kuttab in Dubai, a space that combines a library with a cultural café. He writes regularly for Al-Ittihad and Gulf News, and has authored novels and short story collections for children, including From the Notebook of a Mortician and the Diary of a Troublemaker series. He is the Secretary-General of the Emirates Novel Award and a board member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. Additionally, he hosts the Boh podcast on the Edrak Media platform, where he interviews influential figures in society.