Dubai: Publishers have until the end of the month to send their online entries for the ‘Young Adult Book of the Year’ category of the 10th Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature (EA).

The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) announced on Tuesday that the deadline for sending online entries will be July 31. Physical submissions to the Etisalat Award across its various categories, meanwhile, can be made until August 31.

The UAEBBY has called on publishers of Arabic language books in the UAE and abroad who cater to the YA category (13 to 18 years age group) to immediately submit the electronic versions of the work they want to nominate for the 10th edition of the award.

Organised by the UAEBBY and sponsored by Etisalat Group, the Etisalat award is one of the most prominent recognitions of outstanding achievements in children’s literature in the Arab world.

The Etisalat award’s net worth is Dh1.2 million, which is distributed among six prize categories including ‘Children’s Book of the Year’ with a prize money of Dh300,000 to be distributed equally between the author, illustrator and publisher. The ‘Young Adult Book of the Year’ will win Dh200,000, to be divided equally between the author and publisher.

The categories Best Text, Best Illustration, Best Production and Digital Book App of the Year have a prize money of Dh100,000 each. An additional Dh300,000 is dedicated to organising workshops to what is called the Warsha programme, which was conceptualised by the award to build Arab people’s capacities in writing and illustration and to discover and foster a new generation of Arab talent in children’s books.

Authors and publishers keen to participate can visit www.etisalataward.ae for more details about the competition and terms and conditions of entry. Eligibility criteria include that submitted books must not have previously received a local, Arab or international award, and must be published in Arabic.

Books submitted for the ‘Adult Book of the Year’ category are eligible to compete only if they were first published less than five years ago.

Application packets to be sent to the UAEBBY office at the following address: Al Qasba, Block D, First Floor, Office 45, UAE.