RIYADH: The Riyadh International Book Fair continues to be a showcase for ideas, culture, and innovation. At this year’s fair, which ended Friday, several booths stood out for their contributions to the literary and cultural scene.

One of the most eye-catching was Samawi, a Saudi platform looking to transform the publishing landscape through its print-on-demand model.

One of the most eye-catching booths this year was Samawi, a Saudi platform transforming the publishing landscape through its print-on-demand model. (AN photo by Jafar Saleh)

The platform allows authors to upload their books, which are then printed only when a customer places an order. This model significantly reduces costs for writers, who no longer need to stockpile large print runs. In addition, Samawi connects bookstores directly with authors, opening more channels for distribution and visibility.

“We serve writers, publishers, and readers by providing technical support for the publishing industry, whether it’s reading, writing, printing, or digital and audio books,” Khaled Bamohamad, CEO of Samawi, told Arab News.