With Arabic content consumption shifting toward locally-produced material, prizes like Al-Multaqa serve as essential discovery platforms for international publishers seeking authentic voices that balance regional specificity with universal themes.

Arabic short story publishing gains momentum as Kuwait’s Al-Multaqa Prize announces eighth edition shortlist.

The Al-Multaqa Prize for Arabic Short Story has announced 8th shortlist, reinforcing Kuwait positioning itself as a pivotal hub for literary talent across the Arab world.

The award, hosted by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) at the Kuwait National Library from 3-5 February, received 231 submissions from 28 countries – a testament to the growing vitality of Arabic short-form fiction.

A Market Awakening

This year’s prize arrives at a crucial moment for Arabic literature. Recent industry data reveals that UK sales of Arabic and Arab-related books reached GBP 5.9 million in 2019, representing a 50% year-on-year increase. Between 2010-2020, 596 Arabic titles in translation were published in the UK – more than double the previous decade’s output.

The shortlisted works demonstrate the geographical diversity of contemporary Arabic storytelling:

Jordan’s Amani Suleiman Dawood with “Iceberg” (Arab Studies & Publishing House)

Egypt’s Sherine Fathi with “Cello Player” (Dar Al Ain Publishing)

Syria/UK-based Haitham Hussein’s “When the Mountain Walks” (Ramina Publications)

Publishing Infrastructure Evolution

The prize’s dedication to Fadel Khalaf – the first Kuwaiti short story writer to publish a collection in 1955 – highlights the nation’s longstanding commitment to literary development.

This heritage aligns with broader regional initiatives: the UAE’s Arabic Language Centre and Sheikh Zayed Book Award have been instrumental in fostering translation partnerships, while publishers like AUC Press, Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing, and Saqi Books continue expanding their Arabic literature lists.

Digital Disruption and Opportunity

With only 3% of online content available in Arabic despite 420 million native speakers, the short story format offers publishers a strategic entry point into an underserved market. The prize’s rigorous evaluation criteria – assessing narrative perspective, language experimentation, and contemporary relevance – reflects industry standards increasingly focused on commercially viable, internationally resonant content.

The View From The Beach

The accompanying cultural symposium and planned commemorative publications signal opportunities for rights acquisition and co-edition partnerships. With Arabic content consumption shifting toward locally-produced material, prizes like Al-Multaqa serve as essential discovery platforms for international publishers seeking authentic voices that balance regional specificity with universal themes.

The winner announcement on 5 February will be closely watched by publishers seeking the next generation of Arabic literary talent capable of bridging heritage storytelling with contemporary global narratives.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.