Every great publishing house starts with a single book and a dream.
At Uhibbook Publishing, our journey began eight years ago with one self-published book, a baby stroller as a makeshift “distribution center,” and a relentless belief in the power of storytelling.
Today, we’re a mission-driven publishing house in the UAE, helping authors turn their ideas into impactful books. But the road wasn’t easy; it was built on small steps, resilience, and a direct connection with readers.
This is our story -and the lessons we learned along the way.
The Humble Beginnings: Selling Books from a Baby Stroller
When we published our first book, no distributors were interested. So, we took matters into our own hands:
- Sold copies directly at local events, markets, and community gatherings.
- Used a baby stroller to carry books to our first “mobile bookstore.”
- Relied on word-of-mouth because marketing budgets were nonexistent.
The First Big Win:
The book sold out quickly. That early success gave us two things:
- Enough revenue to fund the next project.
- The confidence to keep going.
Lesson learned:
Start where you are. You don’t need a big platform, just a committed audience.
Also Read: The Heart is In: A New Era of Spiritually Grounded Leadership
Key Lessons from Our Publishing Journey:
#1 – Credibility is Earned, Not Given:
No one trusted us at first. We had to:
- Prove our quality through well-designed, meaningful books.
- Deliver on promises (meeting deadlines, maintaining standards).
- Let our authors’ success speak for us.
#2 – Don’t Rely Too Much on Distributors:
Early rejections taught us:
- Direct sales build real relationships.
- Your readers are your best marketers.
- Hybrid publishing (mixing self-publishing and traditional routes) gives you control.
#3 – Build Relationships, Not Just a Mailing List:
The biggest asset for any author or publisher? A loyal community.
- We engaged readers through events, social media, and personal interactions.
- We listened to what they wanted to read and published accordingly.
#4 – Purpose – Driven Work Doesn’t Feel Like Work:
When you’re passionate about books that create impact, the challenges feel worth it.
- Every late-night edit.
- Every rejected draft.
- Every book fair where we started with just a small table.
It all adds up.
#5 – Keep Going – One Day, You’ll Look Back in Awe:
From one book in a stroller to a full-fledged publishing house, the journey was slow but purposeful.
Now, we help UAE authors:
- Publish business books, self-help guides, children’s stories, and more.
- Navigate hybrid publishing for maximum reach.
- Make an impact through storytelling.
Also Read: Where Do You Belong?
How Uhibbook Supports UAE Authors Today:
Our evolution taught us what authors truly need:
#1 – Hybrid Publishing Flexibility:
We blend traditional publishing quality with self-publishing control, so authors:
- Keep their rights.
- Access professional editing & design.
- Reach both local and global markets.
#2 – Direct-to-Reader Strategies:
We help authors:
- Build an audience before publishing.
- Use social media & email marketing effectively.
- Host book signings & talks (like our event with Books Kinokuniya UAE).
#3 – Publishing for Impact:
Whether it’s:
- Sustainability books
- Parenting guides
- Business & self-development titles
We ensure each book serves a purpose beyond sales.
Your Turn: What’s Your First Step?
Every big achievement starts with one small decision.
- Want to publish in the UAE? Start by writing consistently.
- Dream of becoming an author? Connect with your future readers now.
- Looking for the right publisher? Find one that aligns with your mission.
At Uhibbook Publishing, we’re proof that a single book can grow into something much bigger.