Innovative works by eight Indian writers and professionals will be featured in the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which will be held from November 4 to November 15, 2026, at Expo Centre Sharjah. The theme for this year’s edition is "Made of Stories."

Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, the event will bring together speakers who represent modern fiction, Malayalam literature, poetry, current affairs, business leadership, travels, and digital story telling. Their inclusion is indicative of the diversity of the voices that constitute the Indian literary scene, ranging from literary stalwarts to younger authors using the digital medium.

Literary Voices from India in the Context of Literature, Business and Digital Platforms

One of the Indian participants of the programme will be Shenaz Treasurywala, an actor, writer, and travel content creator famous for her work in films, TV series, and digital platforms. This participant is important since he/she shows the development of the connection between travelling, individual stories, and digital platforms.

Another representative of India taking part in the programme is Vineet Nayar, the former CEO of HCL Technologies and the author of such books as Employees First, Customers Second. His last book is titled Humans First, Machines Second and describes the importance of people's potential in organizations working in conditions of technological transformations. Nayar is the founder and chairman of Sampark Foundation aiming at improving the results of education for kids in villages of India. 

Contemporary fiction of India will be presented by best-selling novelist and screenwriter Durjoy Datta, famous for his stories about relationships and youth. Another participant of the programme will be Ria Chopra – writer and social media influencer.

Exhibit for Malayalam Literature and Poetry

Along with highlighting some prominent authors who contribute to the development of Malayalam literature, the festival will also feature authors such as Asokan Charuvil, a short story author with over fifty years of experience and a recipient of many awards in literature, such as Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award and Vayalar Award.

Author of novels and short stories, Ambikasuthan Mangad is one of the literary figures with social outlook. The themes of his writings focus on the issues related to environmental hazards and their effect on communities. For instance, his novel Enmakaje discusses the hazards of endosulfan contamination on the affected community.

P.K. Gopi, a veteran writer of poetry and lyrics, will be the connecting link between poetry, children’s literature, and Malayalam cinema. P.K. Gopi has written over 27 books and received the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award for children’s literature for his work "Olachoottinte Velicham" along with various other literary awards.

The songwriter and poet B.K. Harinarayanan will be the connection between literature and cinema. B.K. Harinarayanan has written more than 700 songs and won the Kerala State Film Award for best lyricist twice. Some of his songs are from films like "Theevandi" and "Oppam."

A Venue for International Literary Exchange

The involvement of Indian writers and artists is one of the initiatives that form a wider program of literary discussion and cultural activities organized by the SIBF. The fair provides authors with the chance to interact with their audience, establish connections with the publishers and learn about how stories migrate between languages and cultures.

The 2026 version of the event will include participation of foreign publishers and exhibitors as well as the program of literary discussion, workshops, shows and interactive activities designed for the audience of various ages. Oman will be represented as the Guest of Honour.

With Indian writers showcasing fiction, poetry, children's literature, business writing, and digital storytelling, the literary festival will afford the opportunity to examine the various ways in which the tales and ideas of India are communicated globally.