British Council announces International Young Publisher of the Year award for the Middle East

In the UAE, the IYPY award is being run in association with Sharjah Book Fair.

The British Council is now inviting applications, demonstrating entrepreneurship and business success, from young UAE professionals (25-35 year old Emirati nationals) already working in the book industry - and who could be involved in publishing (including e-publishing), working as agents, organising literary festivals, retailing (including e-tailing).

Successful applicants will meet a panel of distinguished judges, who will select the local finalists. The deadline for applications is January 3rd 2008.

The UAE winner will join nine other finalists in the UK, in mid-April 2008, for a 10-14 day visit: a tour of the national publishing industry, meeting key players and innovators in the sector, which will culminate in attending London Book Fair 2008, culminating with a judging procedure and participation at London Book Fair, affording yet more business and networking opportunities. The winner will be awarded a financial prize as well as a stand at the London Book Fair 2009.

The IYPY judging process will take place during the UK tour, prior to London Book Fair. All of the finalists will be interviewed and asked to make a presentation about their vision for their country's publishing industry to a judging panel of elite members of the UK publishing sector, who are asked to decide the IYPY winner on this basis. The winner will be chosen on this basis.

Yara Moualla, Arts Project Manager at the British Council UAE, commented: "Evaluation has shown IYPY to be highly valuable both for international participants and UK partners, and the award continues to grow in stature. IYPY celebrates entrepreneurial ability, and strengthens creative leadership, networking, and capacity building in the international publishing industry - particularly reinforcing engagement between young creative entrepreneurs in participating countries and the UK. This will be the fifth IYPY award and, so far, young publishers from 21 countries have taken part in the project."

The International Young Publisher of the Year (IYPY) award is a collaboration between the British Council and London Book Fair (LBF). It was launched in 2004 to celebrate the entrepreneurial and leadership ability of a young person (aged between 25 and 35), working in the publishing sector in their own country.

IYPY is one of a range of International Young Creative Entrepreneur (IYCE) awards, designed by the British Council to celebrate the achievements of young entrepreneurs across the creative industries, and make a significant contribution to their ability to access international markets. The IYCE programme is unique in its recognition of the entrepreneurial ability vital alongside creative talent in the development of a competitive and sustainable creative economy.