Motivate Publishing secures Korean translation rights deal

Motivate Publishing announced at the 17th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, that it has sold Korean translation rights for the popular title Don't They Know It's Friday? by Jeremy Williams to Miraesa Publishing, South Korea.

Now in its 7th edition, with international sales of more than 30,000 copies, the business handbook is undoubtedly one of Motivate Publishing's top-selling books. First published in 1998, Don't They Know It's Friday addresses the cross-cultural aspects of life in the Gulf and deals with the realities of doing business from the perspective of both expatriates and Gulf nationals. Aimed at those intending to either work or operate in the Gulf, it outlines the effects of Islam on daily life and is a valuable reference to appropriate behavior in the Arab world.

'It's not surprising that this will be the first of our titles to enter the Korean market. The Emirates and South Korea have long had a close working relationship. Don't They Know It's Friday? is an excellent introduction for anyone planning to move to the region or work with businesses here in the Gulf' said Jonathan Griffiths, General Manager - Books, Motivate Publishing.

The deal is the first in a series expected to be concluded with Korean publishers, who have lately shown particular interest in publications featuring the Gulf. Offers are currently on the table for the classic Dubai - Gateway to the Gulf and companion title Abu Dhabi - Garden City of the Gulf. Both books come from the highly successful Arabian Heritage series upon which Motivate Publishing's books department was first founded, and will be released in updated versions later this year.

'In recent months we have been inundated with enquiries from Korean publishers curious about the growth in the UAE and eager to publish books on the region,' said Jenny Bateman, Rights Manager at Motivate Publishing. 'We hope that the trend will be picked up by publishers in other Asian countries, namely Japan and China, as these are also territories that are developing strong ties with the Gulf.'