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The National Book Council is a public entity that caters for the Maltese book industry with several important services whilst striving to encourage reading and promote the book as a medium of communication in all its formats.
It represents writers and publishers in public fora and institutions in order to promote the interests…
At a glance
National Book Prize
The National Book Prize is the highest literary prize assigned to authors, editors, translators, publishers and illustrators for books published in Malta during the preceding year.
Titles are shortlisted and awarded according to the various categories of the National Book Prize and Terramaxka Prize for children and young adults. The National Book Prize is evaluated by an independent adjudication board ensuring the highest degree of transparency and fairness.
At a glance
Malta Book Festival
The Malta Book Festival is the foremost book celebration in the country’s cultural calendar. The annual festival routinely attracts thousands of visitors from all walks of life, the participation of some 50 exhibitors, and offers extensive networking opportunities for industry professionals.
At a glance
Malta Book Fund
The Malta Book Fund is an initiative launched by the National Book Council to foster cultural growth in the local book market.
This initiative forms part of the NBC’s endeavour to take on the role of a cultural agent within society, thus becoming a proactive and progressive contributor to the cultural, educational and intellectual development of society. Small amounts of funding can make a great difference to publishing projects in our small yet thriving book market, especially to projects in Maltese of local and cultural significance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The National Book Council (NBC) is a public entity under the Ministry for Education whose aim is to support the local publishing industry through public funding mechanisms, cultural events and international outreach initiatives. It is also the main ISBN and ISMN issuing body on the Maltese islands.
The offices of the NBC are located at the Bice Mizzi Vassallo Complex, Arnheim Road, Pembroke.
The NBC offers direct financial support through the Malta Book Fund and the Public Lending Rights Scheme.
The NBC also supports the industry through initiatives which aim to foster a wider culture of reading and book-buying, chief of which is its flagship annual event: The Malta Book Festival.
Stakeholders in the book industry also benefit from the visibility bestowed upon their work by the National Book Prize. The NBC also invests in promotional campaigns throughout the year which highlight various aspects of the industry, and which serve to further increase the presence of Maltese books among the general public.
No, administration of public libraries is the responsibility of a separate government entity – Malta Libraries. However, the NBC frequently collaborates with Malta Libraries on various initiatives, while also supporting them with an annual donation of books which have won the National Book Prize that year.
The Malta Book Festival is the leading book-based event on the island, organised by the National Book Council. An annual celebration of book culture in Malta, the Festival invites all stakeholders to participate – from publishers and booksellers to self-published authors as well as public entities and the cultural arms of diplomatic institutes from all countries who have a presence on the island.
First established in the late 1970s, the event was rebranded into a Festival in 2013, after which it has also welcomed leading international literary figures as special guests. A family-friendly event which welcomes thousands of visitors each year – with school visits by pupils featuring strongly during its weekday-morning slots – the event offers a dynamic programme of events which caters to various age groups and interests.
Visit the Malta Book Festival page on this website for more information
The National Book Prize is the highest literary prize assigned to authors, editors, translators, publishers and illustrators for books published in Malta during the preceding year. Titles are shortlisted and awarded according to the various categories of the National Book Prize. The National Book Prize is evaluated by an independent adjudication board ensuring the highest degree of transparency and fairness.
Visit the National Book Prize page on this website for more information.
The Malta Book Fund open to applications for five types of grants:
i) Publishing Grants for New Books;
ii) Publishing Grants for New Editions of Out-of-Print Works;
iii) Translation and Export Grants Category 1: Grants for the Translation and Export of books by Maltese authors;
iv) Translation and Export Grants Category 2: Book Translation Pitch Grants (Sample translations);
v) Grants for Translations into Maltese
All grants awarded may support up to 100% of the proposed project up to a maximum of €5,000 for all grants except the Book Translation Pitch Grants, which may support up to a maximum of €500 per pitch proposal.
For more information visit the Malta Book Fund page on this website.
An author/translator/editor or co-author/photographer/illustrator can apply to join one or both of schemes (Malta Libraries and the University of Malta Library) by submitting the filled-in and signed application form and a detailed bibliography of works listing the i. Title of Publication, ii. Name and Surname (as printed), iii. Role in Publication, and iv. ISBN, to the Secretary of the NBC at the address below.
ISBN Manager,
Kumpless Bice Mizzi Vassallo
Triq Arnhem
Pembroke PBK1776
Visit the PLR page on this website for more information.
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