> Our Main Activities

Book Fairs

The SBPA will have a booth at all the major regional book fairs in 2008, including:

• Bangkok International Book Fair
• Brunei Book Fair
• Ho Chi Minh Book Fair
• Hong Kong Book Fair
• Indonesia Book Fair
• Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair
• Manila International Book Fair
• Seoul International Book Fair
• Taipei International Book Exhibition
• World Book Fair (Singapore)

and at the world's largest book fair:

• Frankfurt Book Fair
  

SBPA members attending these fairs may make use of the SBPA stand as their base (sharing facilities with other SBPA members). Members unable to attend a particular fair may send samples of their books (currently limited to three books per company) via the relevant SBPA representative attending that fair, who will display the books and be on hand to answer questions on the member’s behalf. Click here for a calendar of events.

Book Launches

The SBPA holds book launches every few months, usually at Singapore’s National Library. Other launches have been held during Singapore Writers Festival and World Book Fair (Singapore). The cost per submission is S$100 per title. Each launch is graced by a guest of honour, and refreshments are served. Click here for a calendar of events or here to see a showcase of titles recently launched.

Skills Upgrading

The SBPA organizes a number of events every year for members to upgrade their skills in the fields of editing, production, list-building, management and design. Click here for a calendar of events.

Industry Seminars

The SBPA helps stage publishing talks and seminars, alone or in association with other organizations. Recent talks include 'STM publishing', Legal Deposit', 'Google Books' and 'Book Piracy in Indonesia'. Click here for a calendar of events.

> Aims & Objectives

• To encourage fair trade practices and maintain high standards of workmanship and service in the publishing business.
• To cooperate with other associations representing similar or allied businesses, and with organizations of an educational or cultural nature in Singapore and other countries of the world to further the reading and study of books.
• To encourage the widest possible distribution of printed books in Singapore in particular and throughout the world in general.
• To promote and protect, by all lawful means, the interests of the Publishers in Singapore.
• To protect members by dealing collectively with problems which can best be so dealt with.
• To examine all legislative proposals likely to affect Publishers and the Book Trade, and to take such measures in support thereof, in opposition thereto or to secure amendments thereto as may be expedient.
• To extend the activities and usefulness of the Association as may seem desirable.
• To encourage the improvement of the technical and educational qualifications of members of the Association and their staff and to initiate or encourage research into the resolution of all problems technical or otherwise affecting the production and distribution of books.
• To form groups of members with specialised interests, to promote and protect within the framework of the Association.
• To encourage local publishing and allied trades in Singapore.
• To encourage local authors and to take necessary measures to strengthen the Copyright Laws in Singapore and stop piracy of books.
• To help to foster national consciousness through publishing.
• To invest in movable and immovable property or properties, or acquire rights or privileges for and on behalf of the Association.

> History of the SBPA

The concept of a Singapore Book Publishers Association was first mooted at a workshop on Book Publishing and Distribution held in Singapore in 1966. It was not until May 1968 that the Association was formally incorporated with 22 company members, 14 of which were of Singapore origin. Practically all of the original members were engaged in the publishing, importation and distribution of textbooks.

Today, the SBPA has 63 members engaged in a wide range of publishing, marketing and distribution activities. In 2008 the SBPA celebrates its 40th anniversary. The SBPA is a member of the International Publishers Association, a worldwide network of all national publishing organizations.

> Executive Committee Members