The 10-day creative writing retreat organised by by 1001 Titles to upskill Emirati and Arab writers and positively impact the Arab world’s creative landscape, concluded yesterday (Monday).

Sponsored by Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature and held in collaboration with the Sharjah World Book Capital (SWBC) Office at the Al Badayer Retreat in central Sharjah, the retreat featured a series of intensive creative writing workshops and other literary exercises led by renowned Algerian novelist Wasini Al Araj, and Libyan academic and novelist, Najwa bin Shatwan.

The 10 participating writers engaged in group discussions to analyse their creative process; underwent one-on-one coaching sessions covering a wide range of topics that complete the writing process (ideation, writing, editing and publishing); understood the basics of freewriting and creative writing; gained insights into the nuances of selecting illustrations most appropriate for their content as well as the right publisher.

The retreat’s comprehensive agenda included field trips to places of historical and cultural interest in Sharjah, like Mleiha and Heart of Sharjah. Participants also got a taste of the vibrant contemporary and culturally rich lifestyle of the emirate by visitinng the Al Rawi Bookstore & Cultural Café.

“The retreat forms part of our ongoing mission to support and upskill local and regional writers, especially those who aspire to advance their literary prowess,” said Majd Al Shehhi, Director of 1001 Titles, adding, “we are delighted to have enabled 10 authors enrich their creative journeys with the insights and expertise of veterans like Wasini Al Araj and Najwa bin Shatwan. We look forward to receiving the creative works of all our participants started developing at the retreat.”

The retreat began with all its participants pledging that would submit finished works of fiction, poetry and other literaray genres within eight months of the retreat’s conclusion, post which their publication will be supported by the 1001 Titles.

Themed ‘Nurturing Talent to Enrich Content’, the 1001 Titles is a cultural initiative launched in February 2016. The first phase of the initiative successfully achieved its goal of supporting the publication of 1,001 first-edition Arabic books, which signalled a big step forward in enhancing the UAE’s collective intellectual product. Through subsequent editions, the initiative ultimately seeks to ensure the growth and sustainability of the publishing industry in the UAE and beyond.