Does the chance of acclaim change the motivation of writers? Can stories win awards without conforming to the requirements of prizegivers, or does the ceremony just distract from the creative process?

Many important contributions of Muawiyah were purposely downplayed or ignored by Abassid historians due to sectarian reasons

With the war in their country not yet entirely over, people there are seeking solace by wearing a new face, perhaps as a distraction from lingering suffering

A new show at the National Gallery, entitled After Impressionism, includes almost a hundred paintings and sculptures by artists as fabulous as Van Gogh, Gauguin, Rodin, Klimt and Picasso

A blend of intimacy and the fresh perspective they provide is making autobiographies more popular. Take a look at why the genre is so captivating via two very different books

Syrian novelist Khaled Khalifa shares his firsthand account from the heart of the country's capital, describing the endless sorrow of the Syrian people

For the second year in a row, Arab participation in the London Book Fair has been extremely successful, highlighting the will to bridge the gap between Arab and foreign book publishers

In an interview with Al Majalla, the acclaimed German novelist explains his literary choices and style and how his dislike for fame took him in an unexpected direction

Arabic poetry had a profound impact on human civilisation and enjoys a deservedly high status in world art and literature

A novelist who decried military rule, tracing it to the country's colonial roots, and a poet showing how tyranny destroys itself both resonate afresh as conflict rages in their homeland once more