Top Book Publishers in Cairo

Cairo is home to some of the best book publishers in the Middle East. But with Egypt's publishing industry hit by an unprecedented economic crisis, some are scaling back operations and others have closed entirely.

To help readers navigate the often confusing landscape of Egyptian books, Publishing Perspectives has compiled a list of the top book publishers in the country. Read on to find out where they're located, what their main focus is, and how they plan to expand their businesses through feedback from readers.

1. Dar El Maaref

One of the oldest publishing houses in Egypt, Dar El Maaref is an important resource for new editions of classic works of literature and scholarship. As a result, it plays a vital role in keeping this literature readily available and accessible to readers at affordable prices.

In a world where books are becoming increasingly harder to find, Dar El Maaref helps ensure that classic Arabic works of literature, scholarship and translations are easily accessible to the public. Given that many bookstores don’t stock older editions (once they sell out, they typically disappear from store shelves), this is an important service to provide.

Its main branch is located on Abd El-Khalik Tharwat Street, a 15-minute walk from Tahrir Square. The shop is open daily and sells beautiful journals and sketchbooks in its signature style, as well as small gifts and handicrafts.

The bookshop also features a gallery showcasing photographs taken by Lehnert and Landrock, who opened the first brick-and-mortar shop on Sherif Street in 1936. Visitors can see these evocative shots of Tunisia, Palestine and Egypt in prints, postcards and coffee table books.

In addition to publishing books, Dar El Maaref has a literary salon that hosts readings by both Egyptian and foreign authors. It is also known for its grant scheme, which supports translations to and from Arabic.

2. Kayan Publishing

Kayan Publishing is an Egyptian book publisher that focuses on literature, "fiction and non-fiction". Its products include novels, short stories, science fiction, poetry and non-fiction books with an emphasis on Egypt/Middle East perspectives and cultural significance.

The company offers services like 8, 4 and 2 color offset printing, prepress, binding and finishing. It also provides a full range of digital services and marketing support.

Sabry says the company has published about 40 authors from different countries, including American bestselling authors Colleen Hoover and Brandon Sanderson. The company also publishes books written in Arabic by Arab writers, and has a growing list of comics and graphic novels.

One of their best sellers is A Jewish Girl in My Heart, which a Tunisian author wrote about a Muslim girl who loses her mother and moves to live with a Jewish family. It has been a hit in the Arab world and has sold more than 200,000 copies, according to Sabry.

But the main challenge for most Arab publishers is piracy. The company is working to raise awareness about the issue, which has a devastating effect on Arab publishers. It is also trying to find new ways to communicate with authors and readers, Sabry said.

3. El-Masry Al-Masry

When Egypt's revolution began in 2011, I was on the staff of Al-Masry Al-Youm, an English version of the Egyptian newspaper. The paper was founded the previous summer, when a group of businessmen approached former Cairo Times editor Hisham Kassem to launch it. The idea of the new independent newspaper was to provide news that was more balanced and objective than what was on offer from state-owned newspapers.

The state-owned papers were "a mouthpiece for the ruling party" and were unable to cover events as quickly as independent newspapers. Moreover, they "had become the voice of partisan political parties and often censored their own coverage," according to one of the founders.

During the revolution, the young staffers of the newspaper saw state media as an obstacle to their ideals of a free society. They felt that the media had a rigid hierarchy, sexism, laziness, nepotism, and self-censorship.

In response, the young staffers of the newspaper formed a group that criticized these flaws in the state-owned newspapers. They were also critical of the journalistic old guard that they felt had been stifling the revolution.

A few months ago, the newspaper sacked its Editor-in-Chief Mohammed el-Sayyed Saleh for his coverage of the presidential election. The Supreme Council for Media Regulations fined the newspaper 150,000 Egyptian pounds (about 8,400 US Dollars) and demanded that it publish an apology.

4. El-Masry Al-Saadawi

One of the most prominent book publishers in Cairo, El-Masry Al-Saadawi publishes a range of books on a variety of topics. In addition to its literary titles, the company also offers translation services.

The company is owned by a group of academics and has a reputation for publishing quality books that are in line with its main teaching and research interests. Its publications are distributed around the world and include works by authors such as Nawal El Saadawi, Mona Helmy, Abdel Hakim Belalfi, and Zahra Al-Raiq.

El Saadawi is the author of several books including Two Women in One (1975), The Hidden Face of Eve: Women in the Arab World (1998), Memoirs from the Woman's Prison (2003), A Daughter of Isis 1999, and Walking through Fire 2002. She has been awarded numerous prizes and recognitions.

In her novels, El Saadawi writes about female oppression in a number of ways. She often depicts women as victims of a cruel society that does not value their contributions or their humanity. She also focuses on the oppression of Muslim women and their struggles against religious fundamentalism.

Her most renowned work is The Hidden Face of Eve, which deals with a number of issues associated with Arab women. The novel includes topics such as aggression against women and their children, genital mutilation, prostitution, and Islamic fundamentalism. The book is considered an important work of women's literature.

5. El-Masry Al-Arabi

The company offers a wide range of services. It is also a major distributor of books, and its distribution network reaches most parts of the country.

El-Masry Al-Arabi is a top book publisher in Cairo that publishes a variety of Arabic and English titles. Its catalogue contains a diverse selection of literary works, including fiction, history and children's books.

Its new releases include Ahmed Samir's second novel Rassail Al-Ganna ("Letters of Heavens") and Mahmoud Abdel-Shakour's Alwan Aghostos (“The Colours of August”). Other titles include Emad El-Din Aysha's The Digital Hydra and Other Stories, Comma Press's Palestine+100, and Algerian author Faycel Lahmeur's Amin Al-Ulwani.

Aside from publishing, the company also conducts workshops on different topics. Its events focus on the literary world and on Egyptian literature.

The company also runs several book shops and a library in Egypt. Its bookstores stock a wide range of publications, including novels, classics, children's books and self-development books.

The company has also launched a literary blog, focusing on the work of new authors. Its online publication includes articles written by its staff. It also features interviews with authors and reviews of their latest books. Its staff has an extensive knowledge of the literary scene in Egypt, and is committed to preserving it.

6. El-Masry Al-Mahrousa

Founded in 1986, El-Masry Al-Mahrousa is an independent publishing house and research and information center. They specialize in a variety of subjects such as science, philosophy, comics and translations from acclaimed world cult literature. They also offer a variety of services that include collecting old periodicals, minutes and journals of legislative assemblies.

Egypt's robust publishing industry - historically a key exporter of Arabic literature, to which readers would flock for the region's cheapest volumes - has already shown signs of trouble. The steep currency devaluation has compounded the cost of import-dependent publishers, which have hiked prices by up to double.

But the economic crisis has not dampened enthusiasm for books among bibliophiles in Cairo, as people continue to read and delve into diverse literature. Despite the rise in prices, some of these people are still eager to explore a wide range of texts, and even make trips to book fairs and bookstores for a chance to purchase a new addition to their library.

Across the country, families are trying to cut back on their spending to deal with an economic downturn that has seen inflation hit 21.9 percent in December. They are forced to cut down on luxury purchases and books are often one of the first victims of budget cuts.

7. Hajj Madbouly

The 70-year-old Haj Madbouly, who started as an illiterate newspaper salesman, is one of Cairo’s most iconic book publishers. He was a fixture on Talaat Harb Square before his death in 2010, and has been fondly recalled by many of the independent shops around the downtown area.

The shop is a little tricky to find, as it’s tucked in a narrow alley off the street behind al-Azhar Mosque and Soor el-Azbakeya, but it’s worth seeking out – especially if you’re a big fan of Arabic literature. Its large literature section contains classics from the likes of Jane Austen for a fraction of the price you might pay in a chain bookstore.

There’s a wide range of Arabic-language books and English-language fiction here, including a selection of Egyptian novels that can be found for less than a few dollars. The staff here are also happy to let you in the warehouse of books that’s situated above the main store, which is usually a good spot for picking up bargains and finding out what else’s been published in the area.

The 53rd Cairo International Book Fair is showcasing a variety of ways to keep visitors occupied, including a hologram based on late author Yahya Haqqi and a VR headset experience for youngsters, where they’ll get to watch the Egyptian writer’s stories. The event will also feature more than 1067 publishers from Egypt, the Arab world and beyond.

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