Melitensia publications of important cultural and intellectual value, but which do not have wide markets because they are specialised, are to be given a boost through the Malta Book Fund.

The National Book Council is issuing a minimum of eight grants totalling €40,000 for Maltese publications of cultural, educational, academic and literary value.

Each project will be allocated a maximum of €5,000.

Council chairman Mark Camilleri explained that while Maltese novels were popular, interesting works of a more profound and complex nature were not easily profitable since the niche audience in Malta is a small one.

Many publishers did not take the risk of publishing them since they proved difficult to distribute, he said.

Some €32,000 will be reserved for publication grants while €8,000 will be distributed for education foreign marketing. The grants are to be distributed following a rigorous and application process vetted by an appointed adjudication board.

If our publishing companies die out because they’re not making a profit, we’ll be losing out

Publishers and/or authors may apply for subsidies to publish one or more books.

The grant may finance the artwork, editing, research, documentation, illustration, printing, marketing and payment of the author.

If an application is filed for a project which includes more than one book, the books must have a common theme.

The education grant enables publishers and authors to further enhance their skills and capabilities by providing them with funds to attend workshops, courses and cultural initiatives.

A travel grant may be given to publishers or authors who opt to travel to foreign fairs, festivals and other events to promote their own material.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said that while he was aware that the grant won’t be solving all the problems in the sector, it will help serve as a small boost to publishers and authors.

“It was rightly pointed out to us that our country spends a lot of time in promoting a variety of services and products but there was no help for something as important as books, which nourish our soul and form our identity.

“Apart from the cultural and educational significance of books, there’s also the commercial aspect.

If our publishing companies die out because they’re not making a profit, we’ll be losing out.”