The second edition of the Abu Dhabi Publishing Forum (ADPF), organised by Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) at Manarat Al Saadiyat from 28 – 30 January 2019, is set to delve into a number of pressing topics in the publishing sphere under the theme The Future of Digital Publishing: Technologies & Challenges – the Global Experience.
This year’s edition of ADPF will explore the latest innovations and developments in the digital publishing industry. It will also delve into the world of electronic and audio publishing by hosting prominent figures and companies in the field, and will provide a tailored exhibition designed to showcase expertise and the latest innovations in digital publishing.
The forum’s agenda comprises three integrated pillars: talks that shed light on the ideas and experiences of contributors and influencers in this sector; workshops that offer effective tools and practical knowledge for digital and audio publishing and its relevant technical aspects; and the exhibition that will showcase major international and regional companies offering audio and digital publishing solutions.
Abdulla Majid Al Ali, Acting Executive Director of the Dar Al Kutub Sector, DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “This year, Abu Dhabi Publishing Forum returns with an engaging line-up of talks and workshops, aiming to offer different perspectives and explore effective solutions to the challenges the publishing industry faces amidst booming technological advancements. Through this forum we seek to showcase diverse global experiences and success stories, which have enabled the development of the publishing industry and further contributed to spreading knowledge in new innovative ways.
“The forum’s panel discussions and workshops will offer insights from some of the most significant contributors to the global publishing industry, as we seek to highlight inspiring stories that may empower the publishing industry in the Arab region,” he added.
Presented by publishing industry experts from around the world, the talks programme will cover a range of topics. The event will open with ‘The E-Book Industry in the Arab World’, a talk focusing on both digital and audio publishing in the region, and the role of smartphones in their spread. The effect of modern technology on the industry, from sound systems to smart reading devices, will be discussed in ‘Latest Innovations Supporting E-Books and Audio Books’.
‘The Role of International Organisations in Supporting Electronic Projects’ will explore the function of non-profit organisations in promoting cultural dialogue and supporting migration and integration through digital and audio publishing, while ‘Between Governmental Support and Individual Initiatives’ will examine the development of the e-book through both government sponsorship and private activities, as well as instances of collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The talks programme will also include sessions dedicated to virtual book clubs and their role in attracting younger generations; podcasting in the Arab region and the rest of the world; as well as intellectual property rights, with a face-to-face debate between advocates of copyright protection and freedom of information.
The workshops programme at ADPF involves a wide range of activities, offering hands-on experiences across all relevant issues in the digital publishing industry. The first workshop, entitled ‘Publishing on Amazon – Methods and Potentials’, will teach the basics of the e-publishing process, solutions for converting and publishing books online, and methods of promoting them through the famous website. Meanwhile, ‘How to Summarise a Book’ will articulate the differences between summarising and reviewing written and audio texts, and their differing publishing techniques.
Another intriguing workshop will be ‘How to Protect Your E-book from Piracy’, featuring the key elements needed to protect a book before and after publishing, tips on choosing the right Digital Rights Management (DRM) software, as well as the relevant laws and regulations pertinent to protecting the copyright for e-books in the Middle East region and the rest of the world. Adding to the diversity of topics, ‘E-books in Schools’ will focus on empowering and supporting young, emerging authors by discussing how to embed e-books within the school curriculum.
‘Future of Books Workshop – Reading in 2050’ will have attendees discussing the fast pace of technology (‘smart’ sound systems and ‘smart’ screens) and its effect on the publishing industry. Additional topics covered in workshops will include the Middle East publishing industry, adapting to change, and the benefits and perils of robot and artificial intelligence reading.
To participate in Abu Dhabi Publishing Forum 2019, please register online via https://visitabudhabi.ae/en/see.and.do/leisure/events/abu-dhabi-publishing-forum.aspx
