From 12–15 January 2026, Saba Agency attended the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) at Hall No. 2–6, Bharat Mandapam, marking another important chapter in our international collaborations. Building on the momentum of last year’s Fair, this edition offered even more opportunities for dialogue, networking, and celebrating the global reach of literature.
Expanding Connections at the Rights Tables
The Rights Tables, held on 12 and 13 January, brought together a larger group of Indian and international publishers and agents than in the previous year. For Saba Agency, these sessions were particularly meaningful, as many of this year’s achievements grew directly from conversations that began at the Rights Tables in 2025. Like last year, the Business Lounge also served as an important space for meeting new publishers who value high-quality children’s books, both in terms of content and illustration.
Launching Three Iranian Books in India
The highlight for Saba Agency this year was the launch of three books by Shahr-e Ghalam, the Tehran-based independent publisher specializing in children’s and youth literature. As the agent facilitating this collaboration, Saba Agency played a central role in making these launches possible.
The book launch took place on 13 January, from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. at the International Stage, Hall 4, during the Fair. These titles, now available in English, were published in India over the past year following initial discussions during last year’s Rights Tables. Visitors could find the books at the stall of Antonym Council of Global Arts and Literature (ACGAL), their Indian publishing partner.
Founded in 2020, ACGAL has established itself as a platform for literary translation and international collaboration. Its first project, the online magazine The Antonym, publishes translated literary texts, while its publishing initiative, The Antonym Collections, launched in 2023 and has since published more than 150 books translated into English from Bengali, Hindi, Assamese, Tamil, Spanish, French, Turkish, Persian, Russian, and Italian.
Shahr-e Ghalam, founded in 2004, is an Iranian independent publishing house based in Tehran. Since around 2011, it has focused heavily on books for very young children, producing interactive board books, early-learning titles, and illustrated stories that introduce basic concepts such as animals, colors, sounds, and everyday experiences.
The three titles launched at the Fair are:
Aposh the Giant by Mohammad Reza Yousefi, illustrated by Hasan Amehcan — published in English and Bengali.
Why Is My House Flying? by Soroor Kotobi, illustrated by Mitra Abdollahi — English edition published, Assamese edition forthcoming.
I See! by Davud Ghafarzadegan, illustrated by Mitra Abdollahi — English edition published, Tamil edition forthcoming.
To learn more about the books and their authors, please visit our catalog.
Continuing the Journey: Chennai Publishing Fellowship
Following the Fair, the Saba team traveled to Chennai to take part in the Chennai Publishing Fellowship Program.
Our experience at the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 reaffirmed the importance of long-term relationships and sustained dialogue in international publishing. From Rights Tables to book launches and professional meetings, this journey highlighted how literary exchange grows over time — and how agencies play a vital role in bringing stories across borders. Being in India during a time of celebration, with Lohri and Makar Sankranti celebrated in New Delhi and Pongal marking our time in Chennai, added a special cultural dimension to this journey, reminding us how closely literature, tradition, and community are intertwined.
