SCRF panel discusses strategy behind self-publishing success

From overcoming personal challenges to building global readerships, independent authors are re-defining the publishing landscape on their terms.

- Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

At the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2025), a panel discussion titled "Self-publishing is more than simply uploading a manuscript" brought together Arab and international voices to explore the journey behind going to print.

Speakers emphasised that self-publishing is not just about the writing, but about owning the creative process, understanding the market, and forging genuine connections with readers.

The session hosted Caroline Bakker, Kim A Page, Yasmin Ahmed, and Adil Al Zarooni, who stressed that with persistence, strategic thinking, and right platforms, independent authors can successfully bring their stories to global readers.

Al Zarooni, an Emirati author of three books, including his popular work of fiction Red Island, reflected on the regional challenges of writing in English. "No one in the region wanted to publish a book in English, and I had no support. But I pushed forward using Amazon and Shopify, and now two of my titles are among the most successful in the Middle East. I turned Emirati culture into fiction so it could travel beyond borders."