Social media plays an important role in helping to increase readership and inspire discussion of books. What impact does this have on both virtual and real cultural life? Can it be considered an extension of traditional literary criticism or an alternative to it? Join our panel to hear about their personal experience. Mohamed Al Marzooqi is the Emirati author of ”This is how the reader spoke: virtual criticism and other concerns.” Abdullah Al Neaimi, author of “Espresso”, believes social media has been important in promoting his own work. Jaafar Salman is a Bahraini novelist who started out writing for local newspapers when he was fourteen years old. His novels explore history, religion, philosophy and politics. Language: Arabic