Swallow Editions

Swallow Editions is a new not-for-profit publishing enterprise for readers of great literature. Founded and edited by Rafik Schami, this new fiction list will publish the best emerging authors from the Arab world. He will select the Swallows from submissions sent to him and is very strong on the fact that this venture will be 'free of oil, tedium and dictatorship”.

How Swallow Editions works:

Swallow Editions is open to unpublished authors from the Arab World. We seek good narrative writing, which is both fresh and original. Works already published, even in Arabic, are not eligible for consideration. Arab writers who want to be read worldwide should send their works of fiction to Rafik Schami for consideration. If selected, the works will be edited by Schami, translated into English and published by Swallow Editions across the English speaking world. All proceeds from the sales and licences will benefit the authors and translators.

An editorial board of knowledgeable experts of Arabic and English literature will assist Rafik Schami in his selection. He is also advised and supported by a renowned board of trustees in his efforts to mentor the emerging writers and bring their work to publication. The editor, advisors and trustees volunteer their work so the maximum reward goes to the authors and the translators.

This initiative wants to build a bridge to connect Arab writers with readers in other continents. The literary quality, the creative power of the texts and the ability of the authors to tell a great story are the determining criteria for publication. Neither nationality nor religion are taken into consideration. 

The first Swallow Editions titles, Sarmada by Fadi Azzam, will be published in October 2011. Pre-order it here or here. To attend the launch at the Mosaic Rooms on October 20th RSVP to info@mosaicrooms.org or call 020 7370 9990. 

To submit your writing to Rafik Schami email it to swallow.editions@gmail.com

To read more about Swallow Editions follow these links:

Arabic

English