From Publishing Perspectives:
We began with asking [prominent Arabic author Ibraham] Nasrallah what the key challenges are for authors working in the Arab world today.
Ibrahim Nasrallah: There are several challenges facing authors in the Arab world, and the main one is decreased book sales.
Arab book markets are retreating; some Arab countries have and are witnessing wars and destruction as the case in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, and Libya, while other countries have low income levels, as is the case in Egypt, and readers can’t afford to buy books. In the case of Palestine, the Israeli occupation doesn’t allow for the free movement of books.
These countries were consuming 75 percent of book sales, but nowadays the number of readers is decreasing significantly. And unfortunately, this is a vicious circle; destroying the socio-economic and cultural environment of peoples and communities, forcing cultural oppression and pushing communities to ignorance means one thing only: generating more despair and loss.
When authors are pushed away, extremists flourish, despair prevails instead of hope, and we all lose, not only in the region but worldwide.
Another main challenge for authors today is copyright protection and the lack of effective ways to counter unauthorized book copying and sales in hard copies and online in PDF form. This widely spread phenomenon exists not only in countries affected by war and siege, but all across Arab countries. In Jordan for example, some publishers would argue that almost 80 percent of books in the market are unauthorized copies, and no serious effort is exerted to stop this.
Publishing Perspectives: Can you tell us something of the situation in the region about editing and literary agents’ representation of authors?
IN: Although Arabic creative writing is worth noting, especially creative narration, Arabic literature remains unnoticed worldwide. While understanding that the cost for translation and publishing in a foreign language is high, the price tag alone doesn’t explain the lack of interest in Arabic literature.
Some books here and there have been translated and published and have found good success, but even a successful book by a specific author doesn’t mean that there will be an interest in that author’s work in general to introduce his or her work to the reader. In other words, there’s no accumulated impact; success doesn’t necessarily bring more success.
I believe the reason for this is the political context of the Middle East that makes it difficult to acknowledge literature works from this region outside this context.
In my opinion, Arabic literary works aren’t treated as worthy works on their own merits, but are always perceived within the context of conflicts, violence, and political interests.
I’d say that there’s some kind of cultural violence exerted against some countries and communities, just as there’s military and economic violence, therefore our voices aren’t heard.
. . . .
Arabic literature nowadays takes a very clear stand against violence and dictatorships, and it firmly stands with tolerance and freedom. It’s indeed on the same page with celebrated themes in global literature.
Link to the rest at Publishing Perspectives