Empowering the literature sector through the Malta Book Fund

Guided by a remit that empowers it to cater to the wide-ranging needs of the local publishing sector, the National Book Council (NBC) coordinates events and organises activities aimed at increasing book readership and offering support to stakeholders through public funding mechanisms, cultural initiatives, and international outreach. 

Among its flagship events, the NBC organises the National Book Festival, an annual celebration that occupies a central place in Malta’s cultural calendar. The festival attracts thousands of visitors from diverse backgrounds and provides extensive networking opportunities for authors, publishers, and industry professionals.

In addition, the NBC awards the National Book Prize each year, the highest literary honour in Malta, recognising excellence among authors, editors, translators, publishers, and illustrators for works published during the preceding year. The NBC also administers the Public Lending Rights (PLR) scheme, which remunerates authors, editors, translators, illustrators, and photographers for the borrowing of books available in public libraries in Malta and Gozo.

The Malta Book Fund

Another key initiative within the NBC’s programme is the Malta Book Fund, which provides subsidies for projects aimed at strengthening the skills and capacities of authors and publishers. Established in 2015, the fund has played a significant role in promoting cultural development within the local book market by supporting publications and assisting authors, translators, and publishers throughout the various stages of their projects.

As in the previous year, the fund allocated a total of €135,000, financing literary projects across several categories. The first category, Publishing Grants for New Books, supports the publication of original works of fiction – including novels, short stories, poetry, drama, biographies, graphic novels, and literary non-fiction – as well as manuscripts of Melitensia research. This strand encourages new projects that enrich the local book market and enables the publication of high-quality works that may not be commercially viable. It also provides emerging and non-established authors with the opportunity to see their manuscripts published. In the previous edition, 72 applications were submitted, of which 31 were awarded grants.

The second category, Publishing Grants for New Editions of Out-of-Print Works, provides financial support for the republication of books that are no longer available. This strand aims to make classic works and texts forming part of the Maltese literary canon accessible once again to the general public.

International dissemination and translation

As part of its remit, the National Book Council has a duty to promote Maltese literature internationally. Over the years, the NBC has developed an international strategy that includes two dedicated funding schemes – the Translation and Export Grants – which support the translation of Maltese books and their distribution beyond Malta’s shores. These initiatives enable local authors to explore international opportunities and establish connections with foreign publishers.

The first strand, Translation and Export of Maltese Books, subsidises the translation of Maltese works into other languages. The second strand, Book Translation Pitch Grants, supports the translation of excerpts from Maltese works written in Maltese or English into other languages. This scheme assists literary translators in preparing sample translations for international publishers, thereby enhancing the global visibility and recognition of Maltese literature.

Funding under this strand covers the translation of excerpts from original literary works – including fiction, poetry, drama, biographies, literary non-fiction, and graphic novels – as well as research-based works such as academic and scholarly publications, monographs, edited collections, critical editions, and researched exhibition or gallery catalogues. 

Another category, Grants for Translations into Maltese, supports the translation of international literary and research works into Maltese. This initiative encourages Maltese translators and publishers to make international literature accessible in the Maltese language, thereby enriching the national linguistic heritage and fostering cultural exchange.

Funding framework and adjudication

Funding under the Malta Book Fund covers publication-related costs, including research, writing, editing, documentation, illustration, artwork, printing, marketing, and author or researcher fees. In the case of translations, funding also covers translators’ fees and copyright obligations. Each category is governed by specific guidelines and regulations, and publication grants are awarded through a competitive adjudication process based on pre-established criteria. The NBC is committed to ensuring that this process is transparent, fair, and free from any conflict of interest among adjudication board members.

New categories for 2026

The National Book Council is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 edition of the Malta Book Fund on 17 March, with applications open until 19 May 2026.

This year’s edition of the Malta Book Fund will be open for applications until 19 May, with all applications proceed through the Submittable platform: https://ktieb.submittable.com/submit.

As from this year, the fund will include two new categories: Ebook Publishing Grants and Audiobook Grants. In response to advances in digital publishing, the NBC has allocated €4,000 for the publication of new ebooks and €5,000 for new audiobook projects.

These grants cover expenses related to digital publication, including writing software and formatting tools for ebooks, and narration fees and recording costs for audiobooks, in addition to authors’ fees, illustration, proofreading, editing, and distribution.

To further support applicants interested in these formats, the NBC will organise workshops later in the year led by professional trainers and industry experts. These sessions will focus on best practices and the latest tools for producing high-quality ebooks and audiobooks. In drafting the regulations for these new strands, the NBC is also considering the introduction of the Marrakesh Directive, which aims to increase the availability of accessible-format works for blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print-disabled persons. These initiatives form part of the NBC’s broader vision to widen access to literature for all members of society.

The National Book Council invites writers, translators, and publishers to participate in the Malta Book Fund, thus contributing to the enrichment of Malta’s cultural landscape and fostering reading among the public.

The Malta Book Fund is open for applications until 19 May. All applications are to be submitted through Submittable: https://ktieb.submittable.com/submit. Find out more about the Fund here: https://ktieb.org.mt/malta-book-fund/