One Hundred Saudi Books Initiative

The One Hundred Saudi Books Initiative is a cultural initiative aimed at printing and publishing one hundred books by Saudi authors in various literary, scientific, and humanities fields. This initiative seeks to highlight the content provided by these authors and enhance the cultural movement in the Kingdom. It was launched by the World Encyclopedia of Arabic Literature (Adab) in January 2023, in collaboration with the Cultural Fund, which supports various cultural programs related to different cultural sectors.

The One Hundred Saudi Books Initiative aims to enrich Arab and Saudi cultural and literary content, empower and encourage scientific and creative talents, contribute to the increased cultural presence, and introduce the public to Saudi creative talents in literature and the humanities. This initiative aligns with the National Cultural Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.

The initiative requires applicants to be Saudi nationals, and the content must be distinguished in both form and content, as well as new and unpublished. The World Encyclopedia of Arabic Literature (Adab) has stated that the submitted books will undergo screening and evaluation before approval.

The One Hundred Saudi Books Initiative covers the production and printing of the selected content, as well as its publication and distribution with no cost. The author receives a financial reward through a specific mechanism and gets one hundred free copies of their printed work. The book is also marketed through Adab's various platforms.

The winning books are showcased at major Arab book fairs, and an electronic version is prepared for Adab's online store. The books are also made available in libraries and well-known points of sale.

The One Hundred Saudi Books Initiative assists in refining content for non-specialists and provides consultations if the author wishes. It supports authors in applying for awards both inside and outside the Kingdom (if they wish), as well as in editing and proofreading. The initiative also includes quality assurance attachments, such as evaluation reports and reviews, to enhance the chances of nomination.

If the submitted content is exceptional, the One Hundred Saudi Books Initiative provides the author with opportunities to showcase their work and promote the book through interactive sessions (such as Twitter Spaces or Adab Salon), dedicated meetings and evenings, or public seminars. Additionally, the initiative can recommend the work to relevant entities, should the author desire it.

Adab preserves all intellectual property rights of the books, as guaranteed by Saudi law and other international legislations, through all available legal means. Adab also provides legal representation at no cost if necessary.

Adab Foundation was established in 1999 and offers a range of projects to support the movement of culture, literature, and Arabic content on the Internet. It serves the Arabic language through documentation, translation, and authorship. It also organizes workshops to develop writing skills and contributes to organizing cultural seminars and literary evenings.