Top 25 Book Publishing Companies in United Arab Emirates (Updated 2025)

The United Arab Emirates has quietly built one of the most dynamic publishing ecosystems in the Arab world. Between Sharjah’s year-round cultural calendar, Abu Dhabi’s translation grants, and Dubai’s buzzing creative industries, authors now have serious options — from children’s imprints and educational presses to trade, translation, legal, and digital-first powerhouses. Below are the 25 you should know this year.

1) Ghostwriter Inside (Featured Partner)

What they do: Full-service book development for authors who want a professional team to ideate, research, ghostwrite, edit, design, publish, and market in the Gulf and globally.
Why start here: If you have a concept but need high-touch support (or you’re a busy leader who wants a book that sounds like you), a ghostwriting-led, end-to-end setup removes friction and keeps momentum.
Good fit for: Business and leadership, memoirs, thought-leadership, brand books, family legacies, inspirational non-fiction, and polished fiction with a commercial angle.
Submission tip: Come with a clear goal (authority, lead gen, impact, legacy) and a rough audience/outline; they’ll map the rest into a production timeline and a go-to-market plan.

2) Kalimat Group (Sharjah)

The UAE’s flagship publishing group — and a regional benchmark — with award-winning children’s lists (Kalimat), an educational imprint (Horouf), and Rewayat for adult and YA translated and original literature. If your work intersects with Arabic readerships, this is the first trade house to study. The group’s imprints actively translate into and from Arabic and partner globally.

Strengths: Children’s picture books, early readers, literacy and ed-tech (Horouf), adult/YA translations and originals (Rewayat).
Submission tip: Arabic originals and strong translation candidates do best; show market fit and library/school appeal.

3) Motivate Books (Dubai)

Part of Motivate Media Group, Motivate Books publishes lifestyle, history, photography, culture, and business titles — including high-profile UAE leaders’ works — with robust distribution in the Gulf’s retail and corporate channels. Great for polished non-fiction with regional relevance

Strengths: Illustrated non-fiction, corporate/history/heritage, business and leadership.
Submission tip: A crisp proposal with sample spreads (if illustrated) and a defined UAE/GCC audience helps.

4) Al Hudhud Publishing & Distribution (Dubai)

A well-known Emirati children’s publisher and distributor with deep school and retail links. Their lists emphasize values, creativity, and high production quality. If you write children’s/early readers in Arabic, they’re highly visible in the Emirates’ school ecosystem.

Strengths: Picture books and early learning in Arabic; broad UAE distribution.
Submission tip: Keep stories visually strong with classroom or character-education angles.

5) Kuttab Publishing (Dubai)

A market-leading UAE publisher in Arabic children’s/YA and popular non-fiction, with notable digital print workflows and supply-chain efficiency — a plus for authors who value quick, reliable turnaround and school adoption.

Strengths: Arabic trade for young readers and families; efficient print-on-demand and reprint cycles.
Submission tip: Proposals that suit school/library programs or book-fair showcases tend to move faster.

6) Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre — Kalima & Esdarat (Abu Dhabi)

While the Arabic Language Centre (ALC) is a public cultural institution, it actively publishes via two major programs: Kalima (translation into Arabic) and Esdarat (original and re-issued cultural works). It also runs grants and initiatives that stimulate Arabic publishing and translation markets across the region.

Strengths: High-quality translations, cultural and literary non-fiction, support programs for print, audio, and digital.
Submission tip: Strong translation rights packages and culturally significant proposals stand out.

7) SADER Legal Publishing (Dubai)

The regional arm of SADER (established 1863) maintains legal databases and print titles across Arab jurisdictions and operates a UAE office serving practitioners, firms, and universities. If you write in legal commentary, compliance, or reference, they’re the specialist.

Strengths: Statutory compilations, annotated codes, professional handbooks, and online legal portals.
Submission tip: Propose niche practice-area guides or bilingual editions aligned to UAE regulatory needs.

8) Medad Publishing & Distribution (Dubai/Sharjah)

A UAE-based publisher and distributor active in children’s and educational content, with recognized retail and marketplace presence. Authors aiming at school-age readers or activity books should explore them.

Strengths: Children’s lists, educational workbooks, broad distribution.
Submission tip: Manuscripts with clear age-banding and teacher resources have an edge.

9) Dar Rabie Publishing House (Sharjah)

Focused on children’s and early learning in Arabic, with a growing catalogue and online shop. Their lists cover leveled reading, habits, and values — perfect for writers with classroom-friendly stories.

Strengths: Leveled readers, behavior/skills series, science and “fun facts” for little learners.
Submission tip: Pitch series potential (multiple levels or themes) and include educator notes.

10) Jerboa Books (UAE/Gulf focus)

Indie publisher championing English-and-Arabic children’s books that highlight Arabian culture, nature, and heritage — from pearl diving to desert wildlife. Good for writers/illustrators with Emirati themes for international and local classrooms.

Strengths: Bilingual children’s, cultural heritage topics, school outreach.
Submission tip: Emphasize authenticity and curriculum tie-ins (history, environment).

11) Al Borj Media Publishing & Distribution (Sharjah/Abu Dhabi)

A UAE publisher/distributor active in children’s and educational segments, member of local publishing bodies, and a frequent participant in regional fairs and school programs.

Strengths: Children’s and curriculum-aligned books, distribution networks.
Submission tip: Present series with workbook/activity components for adoption.

12) Fusion House Publishing DIS LLC (Dubai)

A Dubai-based educational and trade publishing services company known for curricula development, children’s stories, and multimedia. Suitable for authors seeking collaborative development (content + visuals) and institutional reach.

Strengths: Educational series, K-12 content, production services.
Submission tip: Demonstrate learning outcomes and assessment frameworks where relevant.

13) Alpha Publishing (Dubai)

An educational publisher producing international-standards curricula and resources localized to regional culture — ideal for academic authors or educators building programs for UAE schools.

Strengths: K-12 programs, workbooks, teacher guides, digital complements.
Submission tip: Show pedagogy, scope-and-sequence, and assessment philosophy.

14) United Educational Publishing (UEP) — E7 Group (UAE)

UEP provides integrated educational publishing services as part of the E7 Group. If you have supplemental learning content or niche academic materials, their institutional ties can help.

Strengths: Curriculum and supplemental resources, education projects.
Submission tip: Lead with proof of classroom efficacy (pilots, learning data).

15) Al Qalam / Dar Al Qalam Publishing & Distribution (Dubai/Ajman)

A UAE publisher and distributor network with multiple branches — visible in Ajman and Dubai listings — that works across Arabic trade, children, and educational material.

Strengths: General Arabic lists, school distribution, community presence.
Submission tip: Offer localized themes and series capable of rolling releases.

16) Al Manhal (Abu Dhabi)

A digital-first Arabic scholarly platform and eBook publisher based in the UAE, partnering with universities and research bodies. If your work is academic or reference-heavy, their discovery and database channels are unmatched in Arabic.

Strengths: Academic eBooks, journals, databases, library distribution.
Submission tip: Provide abstracts, metadata, and rights clarity for institutional licensing.

17) Kids and Teachers (Sharjah/UAE)

A UAE entity serving early-years education with materials for KG and primary stages — useful for picture-book authors with classroom utility and educators producing teacher resources.

Strengths: Early-years resources, Arabic curriculum materials, school channels.
Submission tip: Align to KG1–KG2 outcomes and include classroom activities.

18) Motivate Media Group — Corporate/Custom Books (Dubai)

Beyond trade titles, Motivate undertakes corporate histories and custom projects. If you’re a brand or institution seeking a prestige publication, they have the creative and distribution muscle.

Strengths: Bespoke corporate books, heritage photo books, high-spec production.
Submission tip: Pitch a clear concept with access to archives and image rights.

19) Al Qari Al Arabi for Publishing & Distribution Center (UAE)

Listed among UAE publishers by export guides, Al Qari Al Arabi operates in Arabic trade and educational distribution — a route to school shelves for accessible Arabic titles.

Strengths: Arabic trade and education-adjacent lists; distribution.
Submission tip: Prioritize series with repeat classroom utility.

20) AlBorj Media Publishing & Distribution (UAE)

Another UAE-based player visible in education and children’s categories with certification and memberships that matter for school adoption.

Strengths: Children’s and educational, government/school alignment.
Submission tip: Provide alignment notes to UAE MoE frameworks where possible.

21) Medad Publishing (Retail Channels & Marketplaces)

In addition to publishing, Medad’s presence on regional marketplaces can boost discoverability for children’s and parenting titles — helpful for indies aiming at e-commerce.

Strengths: Retail integration, family/children’s niches.
Submission tip: Include marketing language and keywords optimized for online retail.

22) Dar Al Qalam (Retail & Distribution Footprint)

Multiple retail/distribution branches in Ajman make Dar Al Qalam a practical partner for localized reach in Northern Emirates — valuable for authors who’ll tour schools and festivals.

Strengths: Local distribution, community sales.
Submission tip: Offer event-ready content (storytime, workshops).

23) TRC Publication (UAE)

A UAE publisher of educational and children’s materials with a focus on innovative classroom resources. If you’re creating activity-rich or STEAM-leaning content, they’re a fit.

Strengths: Teacher-support materials, creative learning lines.
Submission tip: Provide sample activity pages and teacher notes.

24) Austin Macauley Publishers — UAE Office (Sharjah Publishing City)

While UK-headquartered, AMP maintains an active UAE presence and acquires for regional and global markets. Hybrid models may be available; scrutinize terms and distribution. (Authors should always evaluate costs/benefits across hybrid offers.)

Strengths: Broad genre intake, international reach.
Submission tip: Ask detailed questions about rights, print runs, and GCC distribution.

25) Fusion House (Curriculum & Story Content for Education)

Separate from the “DIS LLC” entry above, Fusion House is also referenced regionally for book, curriculum, and children’s content production that blends print and multimedia — a route for authors open to institutional co-development.

Strengths: Cross-media K-12 content, Arabic/English educational storylines.
Submission tip: Propose IP that can extend into animations, readers, and workbooks.

Table: Top 25 Book Publishing Companies in the United Arab Emirates (2025)

#	Publisher Name	Founded	Specialization / Key Strengths	Location(s)	Best For / Submission Tips
1	Ghostwriter Inside	2017	Ghostwriting, editing, design, publishing, and marketing	Dubai (Global)	Ideal for busy professionals; submit ideas or outlines for full-service support
2	Kalimat Group (Kalimat, Horouf, Rewayat)	2007	Children’s, educational, YA, translations	Sharjah	Arabic originals or strong translation candidates; focus on cultural appeal
3	Motivate Books	1979	Lifestyle, history, business, custom publications	Dubai	Non-fiction or corporate content; strong UAE/GCC relevance is key
4	Al Hudhud Publishing & Distribution	2011	Arabic children’s and early readers	Dubai	Picture books with educational or character values
5	Kuttab Publishing	2010	Arabic children’s and YA titles	Dubai	Series-based proposals for school and library adoption
6	Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (Kalima & Esdarat)	2007	Translations, cultural works, Arabic originals	Abu Dhabi	High-quality translations and culturally significant proposals
7	SADER Legal Publishing	1863 (Regional), UAE branch modern era	Legal databases, statutes, law books	Dubai	Legal commentary, compliance guides, bilingual editions
8	Medad Publishing & Distribution	2015	Educational and children’s content	Dubai/Sharjah	Age-banded stories and school-aligned titles
9	Dar Rabie Publishing House	2008	Children’s leveled readers, skills development	Sharjah	Propose multi-book series with educational elements
10	Jerboa Books	2010	Bilingual (Arabic/English) children’s books with cultural themes	UAE/Gulf	Stories tied to Emirati heritage or nature
11	Al Borj Media Publishing & Distribution	2010s	Children’s and educational books	Sharjah/Abu Dhabi	Propose series aligned to school curricula
12	Fusion House Publishing DIS LLC	2012	Educational books, K–12 curriculum, story development	Dubai	Content with clear learning outcomes
13	Alpha Publishing	2010	Educational curriculum and resources	Dubai	Proposals with strong pedagogy and assessment support
14	United Educational Publishing (UEP – E7 Group)	2015	Education-focused publishing and distribution	UAE	Supplemental learning materials with classroom data
15	Dar Al Qalam Publishing & Distribution	2000s	Arabic trade, children, and educational materials	Dubai/Ajman	Localized content for retail and schools
16	Al Manhal	2010	Academic digital publishing, eBooks, journals	Abu Dhabi	Academic content and reference-heavy works
17	Kids and Teachers	2010s	Early-years educational content	Sharjah/UAE	KG-level resources with activities for teachers
18	Motivate Media Group – Corporate/Custom Books	1979	Corporate histories, coffee-table, and prestige titles	Dubai	Brand stories with archival or image-rich content
19	Al Qari Al Arabi Publishing & Distribution	2000s	Arabic trade and educational distribution	UAE	Repeat-use educational or trade titles
20	AlBorj Media (alternate arm)	2010s	Children’s and school materials	UAE	Content aligned with Ministry of Education standards
21	Medad Retail & Market Channels	2015	Retail distribution and e-commerce for children’s books	UAE	Indie authors aiming at family-friendly niches
22	Dar Al Qalam (Retail Focus)	2000s	Local retail/distribution	Ajman	Event-friendly children’s or cultural titles
23	TRC Publications	2010s	Educational and teacher-support resources	UAE	Activity-rich learning content
24	Austin Macauley Publishers – UAE Office	2017 (UAE)	Broad genre intake, hybrid publishing	Sharjah Publishing City	Understand hybrid terms; good for global reach
25	Fusion House (Curriculum & Media)	2012	Cross-media educational content	UAE	Concepts that can extend to multimedia (apps, videos)

Conclusion

The UAE’s publishing industry is thriving, blending cultural heritage with modern innovation. From Ghostwriter Inside’s full-service support to Kalimat Group’s award-winning children’s books and Al Manhal’s academic focus, these 25 publishers are shaping the region’s literary future. With rising demand for Arabic translations, educational content, and digital publishing, the UAE offers unmatched opportunities for authors. As global visibility grows through events like the Sharjah International Book Fair, these publishers will continue driving creativity and literacy across the region and beyond.

Quick FAQs

Q: Can non-Emirati authors publish locally?

Absolutely. Many UAE houses regularly sign international authors, especially for children’s and translated lists (e.g., Kalimat/Rewayat, Jerboa, Motivate Books). Strong cultural fit and school/library relevance help.

Q: What about digital-first or academic content?

Look at Al Manhal for scholarly and library distribution in Arabic — their e-platform is widely adopted across the region.

Q: Do grants or rights programs exist?

Yes — the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre runs translation/production grants and rights programs that regularly backlist and seed new projects.

Q: Where should I network with UAE publishers?

Start with Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) and Sharjah’s publishing calendar; Dubai’s cultural venues (like Mohammed Bin Rashid Library) also host frequent book events and talks.

Q: How important is Arabic translation for success in the UAE market?

Extremely. Even if your manuscript is in English, most UAE publishers prefer or require an Arabic version — especially for children’s, educational, and cultural titles. Some houses, like Kalimat Group, Rewayat, and Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, offer in-house or grant-supported translation services to help your book reach a wider audience.

Q: How long does the publishing process usually take in the UAE?

Timelines vary:

• Children’s and educational books: Often 6–9 months from acceptance to release due to curriculum cycles.
• Trade non-fiction and fiction: Typically, 9–12 months.
• Custom or corporate projects: Can be faster, around 4–6 months, depending on content readiness.
  Planning ahead is key, especially if you want your launch to align with major book fairs like Sharjah International Book Fair or Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

 

Disclaimer: The publishers listed here are provided for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with these publishers and do not guarantee manuscript acceptance. We only provide professional book editing, marketing, and formatting services to help authors prepare their work for submission and improve their chances of acceptance. Always verify submission details on the publisher’s official website before applying.