Abu Dhabi: The 13th edition of the Shaikh Zayed Book Award is accepting entries across its nine categories till October 1.

Applicants must apply online through a new nomination system. Following the online submission, applicants must send five copies of their books to the office address listed on the website.

Books may be nominated by individuals, including by authors themselves, apart from translators and publishing houses.

No book may be submitted for consideration in more than one category. Books should also have been published in the last two years of submission.

In most categories, nominated titles should be in Arabic. However, the award will accept nominations in other languages in two categories — Translation and Arab Culture in Other Languages.

Dr Ali Bin Tamim, secretary-general of the Shaikh Zayed Book Award, said: “In line with our continuous efforts to improve and upgrade the award’s processes and systems, we have launched a new online nominations portal to ease the application process for all applicants. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all cultural and literary entities, both individuals and organisations, to make use of the remaining few days until the deadline to send their nominations to be considered for the 13th edition.”