Live from Abu Dhabi

It seems like I have just opened a door to a brand new world.

It is truly amazing! There are over 325 million Arabs and 95% are just beginning the journey to literacy… AND they are all at the Book Fair in Abu Dhabi. Those who are readers enthusiastically guide newbies through the aisles and help them explore the tens of thousands of books on display. There is a passion similar to early micro shows from 1980! Everything is new and exciting

The majority of the Emiratis (those from the Emirates) devour the color and excitement. They attend workshops; they ask really good questions. They are really enjoying themselves.

And so am I. Working with my colleagues from AEP, I am finding out a lot about things that are brand new to me and reestablishing communication lines with a few old friends who are pioneers.
All this and the city, the dazzle, the desert, the heat, the freshness.

Thanks, Abu Dhabi
- Dick Casabonne

Thoughts Heading Home from Abu Dhabi

First of all, I want to thank Charlene for pulling this off…it was no small feat. I believe all the publishers are grateful – I know Capstone Publishers sure is – Thanks Charlene!

It seems we are in the relatively early stages of opportunity here in this region of the world, and as with other Int’l sales/mktg efforts, one will need to figure out the “nuances” of this region to be successful, and doing it early vs later is critical. This does seem to be a push for both export and rights opportunities.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai are special places in the world…I felt like I did as a child exploring with awe in a brand new environment…almost speechless on many levels here. To attempt to grasp the changes that have occurred here in one generation…from thatch or tent type homes to Lamborghinis, is mind boggling.

Thanks again Charlene, I would not have made this trip without your leadership.

Tom Ahern

Capstone Publishers

Live from Abu Dhabi 2009

Day Three

We’re into the rhythm of the fair, and the facts are flying.  At times, they’re careening, colliding and conflicting.  A kind of elegant chaos (or is it rugged individuality) seems to be part of the culture. Take the example of the square head scarves worn by the Arab men.  I’m curious about  the  variations in color and fold.  When the opportunity presents itself, I ask.  I’ve done this about a dozen times so far and have a dozen different answers–age, region, season, religious sect, family tree, fashion statement. The common thread is that each answer is given with passion and absolute certainty.

This same principle seems to apply to understanding the Arab market.  With each expert, educator, distributor,  sales rep, service provider and local comes a slight variation on the theme. It’s the wild, wild west, and within a single hour,  my mindset can swing from you can get scalped if you don’t watch out to there’s gold in them there hills.

So this is what I know for sure.  In the past 3 days,  folks in our group have done rights deals on two  book series,  signed on with a distributor,  reconnected with existing partners and forged new partnerships with one another.

Things are looking up.

Submitted by Charlene Gaynor

9 Things Linda Learned at the Abu Dhabi Book Fair

Here are nine things I learned on my trip to the Middle East which has included a sales trip through Beirut, Cairo, Alexandria, Dubai and finally, the Abu Dhabi Book Fair.

The source for some of this information has come from notes taken during sessions at the Abu Dhabi Book Fair.  The rest of this information came from customers and cab drivers I have conversed with.  Given that the sources for these “facts” are various and perhaps even unreliable I apologize in advance for any errors, misunderstandings and typos.

Live from Abu Dhabi

Day Two

Our boxes have been delivered and at last we’re ready for show time. When the doors open today, nearly 10,000 teachers and school children stream in. They’re clutching 10 Dirham coupons courtesy of the sheik and they’re eagerly looking for books to buy. Reportedly, the government distributes about 4 million dirhams worth of coupons (about $1.1 million) to teachers, parents and kids to subsidize the purchase of books at the Fair. Kids in uniforms of all types from mini thobes (the traditional white gowns worn by Arab men) and abayas (the long black gowns worn by the women) to British prep school jumpers dash through the halls. The range of uniforms confirms what we’ve been told about the proliferation of private and independent schools in the region.

One of our exhibitors succumbs to temptation and sells a book. Folks in our group say they could have sold everything in their booths today. But, since they’re here in search of rights deals and distributors, they won’t have anything to demo if they sell now. This yin and yang–the public good versus the business purpose–is one of the challenges faced by the Fair. Not to worry we learn, there’s yet another incentive program–a $1,000 bonus to buyers who purchase rights at the Fair.

 

Later, I stand in line waiting to redeem the four 10 Dirham coupons we took in today. All around me are people with bags and wads of coupons. They tease me about my big “deal” and finally one of them offers to redeem my coupons from his pocket money. We laugh and I hand over my coupons and accept the cash. Tomorrow is another day.

 

–Submitted by Charlene Gaynor