AGP Executive Report

Hong Kong Booksellers Crackdown: Police raids on two independent bookstores led to arrests over “seditious” publications, and a Taiwan-made T-shirt slogan—“I am a bookstore employee”—has gone viral as readers rally for press freedom. Queer Healing Publishing: North Atlantic Books released Queer Expressions, a clinical guide blending expressive arts and somatic therapy for queer trauma recovery and dysphoria support. New Publishing Model: Market First Publishing launched “Platform Publishing,” aiming to build an audience while a manuscript is still in production. AI Copyright Fallout: A U.S. judge approved Anthropic’s record $1.5B settlement over books used to train Claude, with payouts to authors and publishers. Library Access Shift: One library system is leaving CloudLibrary and adopting Hoopla, citing high ebook costs and publisher borrowing limits. Comics Retail Spotlight: Books With Pictures Eugene is a finalist for the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award ahead of SDCC announcements. Reading Crisis Focus: A new report highlights how falling child reading-for-pleasure rates track with smartphone adoption, raising alarms for the future of publishing. Poetry & Voice Tech: Terence Ang’s stroke-survival poetry work is featured at NYC’s Poetry Festival, including an audiobook narrated via AI voice-cloning to overcome aphasia barriers.

AI Copyright Fallout: A US judge approved Anthropic’s record $1.5B settlement over pirated books used to train Claude, with thousands of authors and publishers set to receive payments after the class action’s claims process. Textbook Policy Shake-Up: Nigeria’s NERDC cut textbook assessment fees from N2,000 to N1,500 per page and slashed ranking fees from N1m to N750,000 per title, ordering refunds for publishers that already paid the higher rates. Publishing Distribution Push: BookWalker added Abrams Books’ Kana imprint to its digital platform, bringing new manga titles to its web and mobile apps. Local Reading Momentum: Whitcoulls’ Top 100 Books List shows a surge in Aotearoa New Zealand authors, with 26 local writers making the cut and fresh newcomers entering the rankings. Fantasy Universe Expansion: Janci Patterson discusses “Blightfall,” the first Riftwake trilogy novel, and what it takes to carry Brandon Sanderson’s Cytoverse forward. Book-to-World Events: Ignition Press is going bigger at San Diego Comic-Con, expanding its comics lineup and pop-up presence.

AI Copyright Fallout: A US judge approved Anthropic’s record $1.5B settlement with authors after pirated books were used to train Claude, with payouts of about $3,000 per eligible book and broad coverage already claimed by most rights-holders. Tech vs Creators: The same AI fight is widening: Anthropic is also facing a separate patent lawsuit from the University of Tennessee Research Foundation. Publisher Cash Relief: Nigeria’s educational council cut textbook assessment and ranking fees and ordered refunds for publishers who already paid higher rates. Legal Pressure on Publishing: A Bengaluru court issued an interim injunction blocking publication and distribution of a book alleged to defame former BJP MP Prathap Simha, with the case set to return in August. Censorship and Books: Human Rights Watch urged Vietnam to release five people arrested over a Ho Chi Minh book, calling it a crackdown on freedom of expression. Rights & Safety in Print: Jessica Kingsley Publishers launched removable “safety covers” for books amid rising hostility toward LGBTQ+ and other marginalized readers. New Christie Companion: British Library Publishing will release an Agatha Christie life-and-works book to tie in with a major exhibition. Children’s History Push: National Book Trust launched novels based on characters from Kashmir’s Rajatarangini to bring regional history to younger readers.

AI Copyright Fallout: A US judge gave final approval to Anthropic’s $1.5B settlement with authors after pirated books were used to train Claude, with about $3,000 per claimed work and 91%+ of eligible books already claimed. Global Publishing Pressure: Vietnam arrested five people over a Ho Chi Minh book, charging them under national security laws, while Hong Kong police raided multiple independent bookstores over “seditious” titles. Book-to-Screen Boost: Emily Wilson’s Odyssey translation is seeing a major sales surge after Christopher Nolan’s film release. Retail & Community: Melbourne’s best independent bookshops list spotlights local browsing culture, and Edmonds Bookshop hosts Tamiko Nimura for her Tule Lake memoir. Comics & Fandom: Skybound/Image’s Terminal #1 blind-bag promo teases rare surprises, and SDCC chatter continues as creators and retailers gear up. New Releases & Events: Aesop’s Women’s Library brings female-authored books to China duty-free retail, and Pope Leo XIV’s peace-and-disarmament anthology lands in print.

AI Copyright Shockwave: A U.S. federal judge has given final approval to Anthropic’s landmark $1.5B settlement with authors and publishers over Claude training on millions of pirated books, setting a per-work payout of about $3,000 while leaving the bigger “fair use for training” question unsettled for other AI cases. European Market Alarm: German publishers warn of a growing antiquarian-book pipeline where old titles are bought in bulk, shipped abroad, scanned, and reportedly destroyed for AI training—called a “clear and serious violation of copyright.” Book Trade & Rights Abroad: Hong Kong’s book fair drew a bigger publisher presence as independent booksellers faced removal amid renewed political scrutiny, underscoring how regulation can reshape what gets displayed. Publishing Industry Moves: Otherworld Media secured distribution with Blackstone Publishing for a new radio/streaming adaptation of Treasure Island, while Monaco Associates’ book-launch practice was acquired by Caraballo & Co. to continue its author-platform work. Community Reading & Festivals: Toronto’s Muslim Literary Festival returns Aug. 8 for its third year, and the Coimbatore Book Festival expands with hundreds of stalls and more participants. New Titles & Voices: VG Lee’s Our Shadow Selves review spotlights queer identity and survival; PEN Translates named 14 new translation winners, and a hybrid horror/witchcraft publisher, Kristen J Sollée’s Feral Eye, is launching.

Copyright & AI: A federal judge in San Francisco gave final approval to Anthropic’s $1.5 billion copyright class-action settlement over alleged book piracy used to train Claude, with authors and creators set to share the payout and Anthropic agreeing to destroy the disputed files. Platform Scrutiny: Amazon and Apple are facing fresh pressure after reports of AI-written books that copy real titles and mislead readers with fake authors and bios, with removals happening only after complaints. Authorship Rules: A Philippine literary contest says it may request drafts and revision histories to prove “predominantly human authorship,” warning entries suspected of undisclosed generative AI could be disqualified. Publishing Industry & War: Ukraine’s book sector is calling for UAH 150–200 million to restore about a million lost books after Russia strikes damaged publishers and printing facilities. Local Books & Community: Santa Rosa County libraries added dozens of free e-books and e-audiobooks via a Florida Humanities America250 grant, while a new independent children’s lit fest spotlights UK creators outside big publishers. Book Culture & Events: SDCC is handing out a limited “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” DC comic tied to the HBO Max premiere, and Shueisha apologized after a One Piece card promo caused Weekly Shonen Jump to sell out.

Prison Book Access Lawsuit: A nonprofit publisher, a prison book collective, an independent bookstore and inmates sued South Carolina’s corrections director over a policy that funnels most book orders through just six pre-approved vendors, arguing it violates the First Amendment and due process. AI Authorship Rules: The F. Sionil Jose Young Writers Award opened submissions with a new clause allowing organizers to request proof of human authorship and disqualify entries that can’t show predominantly human drafting. Publishing Deals & Rights: SLKY World acquired world rights to Nathan Isbourne’s spiritual realism novel The Finger Carrier for summer 2027; meanwhile, Frank Siller’s memoir Let Us Do Good lands Sept. 1 with Broadside Books/HarperCollins. Book-to-World Momentum: A Grafton author’s middle-grade debut Really Rubie hit New York Times bestseller status after selling foreign rights to 16 publishers. Industry & IP in the AI Era: Steven Saxton argues creators need stronger ways to protect intellectual property as AI accelerates and reshapes creative workflows. Global Book Trade: UAE publishers plan to expand their Hong Kong Book Fair presence after a strong debut, signaling more cross-market publishing ties. Cultural/Community Reading: Access Books Bay Area and Linden Tree are teaming up for a book drive to support underfunded school libraries.

Biden Memoir: Former President Joe Biden’s “Promise Me, America” is set for Nov. 17 release by Little, Brown—timed just after midterms, a move that could stir fresh party drama. Hong Kong Bookselling Under Pressure: Lam Wing-kee, the Causeway Bay Bookstore bookseller jailed after authorities demanded a confession, has died in Taiwan at 70, underscoring the risks of selling banned titles. Kashmir Book Crackdown: India-administered Kashmir orders libraries and schools to vet books and digital materials for “objectionable” content, with investigations widened to research and theses. Publishing Industry Watch: New Zealand booksellers say slow supply from Australia is strangling “speed to market,” leaving even local bestsellers stuck in warehouses. Comics & Pop Culture: DC’s “Absolute Batman #23” ramps up the “Batman vs. Batman” premise ahead of release, while SDCC is set to spotlight newly found Jerry Siegel documents about Superman’s origin. Community & Kids Reading: Access Books Bay Area and Linden Tree team up for a summer book drive to stock underfunded school libraries. Self-Publishing Tools: Manhattan Book Group ranks 2026 self-publishing services, naming MindStir Media as #1.

Scottish Literature Rediscovery: North House Press reissues Neil M Gunn’s The Grey Coast, spotlighting the 20th-century Scottish giant and reminding readers why The Silver Darlings stayed in print for decades. Censorship & Books in Kashmir: India-administered Kashmir orders libraries and schools to vet and investigate books and digital resources labeled “objectionable” or “seditious,” fueling fresh controversy over what gets read. Publishing Meets Power in Hong Kong: Police raids and arrests tied to independent bookstores add to a chilling pattern of national-security enforcement that pushes self-censorship. Marvel’s Big Publishing Shift: Marvel Comics plans to leave Manhattan for California, ending an era for New York’s comics ecosystem as its publishing operations move to Burbank. AI Copyright Fight: Publishers sue Google over alleged use of copyrighted books for AI training, escalating the legal battle over authors’ rights. Biden Memoir: Little, Brown announces Promise Me, America for Nov. 17, turning the next publishing headline into a political one. Kids & Community Reading: The Chinar Book Festival opens in Srinagar with major student turnout and events, while local kid-lit like Ballpark Mysteries keeps sports storytelling rolling.

Books as civic power in Kashmir: The Chinar Book Festival (July 18–26) opened at SKICC, drawing 200+ publishers and thousands of students, with organizers pushing a year-round reading culture and translation. Free-speech publishing under pressure: Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee, a symbol of resistance after his detention tied to Causeway Bay Books, has died at 70. Comics retail drama: Absolute Batman retailer-exclusive variants are back in the spotlight amid allegations of embargo-breaking and early selling. Publishing + politics, South Carolina style: A Black church campaign event framed elections as “bringing intelligence back,” spotlighting candidates’ professional credentials. Global publishing industry watch: Photobook publisher Steidl faces insolvency proceedings in Germany. Pop-culture reading habits: Solo Leveling’s new webtoon clone is criticized as a “clone” trend, while a NYC pop-up store plans a fandom mash-up for Solo Leveling and Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.

Publishing Deals & Global Reach: Filipino children’s author Mary Ann Ordinario signed a Malaysian translation and distribution deal, expanding access to her books across libraries and primary schools. Tech & Reading Life: A guide argues it’s time to upgrade home Wi‑Fi and storage, pushing readers toward newer routers/mesh systems and NAS-style home servers. Children’s Media: ZDF joins Dandelooo and TFOU’s “Hold on Gaston!” as a co-production partner, based on Hachette Enfants’ “Little Unicorn” series. Book Culture & Community: Vermont Humanities will spotlight Tillie Walden’s “Charity & Sylvia” as Vermont Reads 2026, revisiting a long-ago same-sex couple’s local legacy. Controversy in Literary Advocacy: PEN America president Dinaw Mengestu resigned over a “pro-Zionist” statement, reigniting debate over free expression and censorship. Industry Watch: Reuters reports Marvel Comics will move its publishing division from New York to Burbank and install Stephen Wacker as editor-in-chief. Legal Fight Over AI Training: Major publishers continue suing Google over Gemini AI training using copyrighted books. Literary Tourism: A new piece asks why India’s reading landscapes aren’t getting the same travel hype as Austen, Tolkien, and Harry Potter. New Releases & Lists: “Best Books of 2026” coverage and multiple debut/novel spotlights keep the focus on what readers should pick up next.

Romance Retail Boom: The American Booksellers Association says romance-dedicated stores are multiplying fast, with 232 new romance bookstores opening in three years and 54 already this year, driven by pandemic-era demand and a new wave of booksellers building community in “third spaces.” Bestseller Roundup: This week’s lists highlight major YA and genre momentum, including the final run of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper books and continued litRPG crossover into mainstream hardcover. Comic-Con Publishing Buzz: Skybound Entertainment mapped out its San Diego Comic-Con 2026 panels and merch, with Robert Kirkman leading a major slate and Energon Universe getting its own spotlight. Marvel’s Big Move: Reuters reports Marvel Comics will relocate its publishing operation from New York to Burbank, ending nearly 90 years in the city and pairing the shift with a leadership shake-up. Global Kids’ Animation: ZDF joins the co-production of Hold on Gaston! based on Hachette Enfants’ Little Unicorn series, expanding international reach ahead of late-2027 delivery. Manga/Pop Culture Licensing: Seven Seas licensed Ultraman by Kazuo Umezz for a North America hardcover release in July 2027, timed to the franchise’s 60th anniversary. Publishing Finance Stress: Germany’s Steidl faces insolvency proceedings after creditor action tied to unpaid contributions and salary delays. Book Censorship Crackdown: Hong Kong police raided independent bookstores, arresting staff over “seditious” publications as the city’s national security rules tighten. Literary Prize: Patricia Lockwood won the $10,000 Gabe Hudson Prize for her dark, comic COVID-era novel Will There Ever Be Another You.

AI & Copyright Clash: Germany’s media regulator ruled AI search outputs are “content,” not “mere conduit,” putting Google AI Overviews and Perplexity on the hook under media law and raising the stakes for Europe-wide AI products. Publishers vs Big Tech: Authors and publishers keep suing Google over alleged AI training copyright infringement, as the legal fight over who can use books for models intensifies. Hong Kong Book Crackdown: Hong Kong security officials warned booksellers to avoid titles that could harm national security, after police arrested people tied to independent bookstores in a widening pressure campaign. Industry Moves: Marvel is relocating its publishing division from New York to Disney’s Burbank HQ as part of a major overhaul, while Hachette Book Group employees vote to unionize. New Releases & Campaigns: A Kickstarter is live for the collected graphic novel “Odysseus: In Defiance of the Gods,” and a new memoir, “Letters to Family,” turns a year of grief into an epistolary guide to healing. Global Publishing Events: The Hong Kong Book Fair and related expos open together for a week-long run, blending reading with sports and food.

AI & Copyright Clash: Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese says unlicensed AI training using books, music, art and news is “theft,” pushing back on carve-outs and setting a legislative deadline. Legal/Publishing Accountability: A Ninth Circuit ruling revives a pandemic-payout fraud case and narrows what counts as “news media” for whistleblower bars—another reminder that publishing-adjacent claims can hinge on definitions. Memoir Spotlight: Joe Biden’s publisher sets Promise Me, America for Nov. 17, 2026—two weeks after midterms—shaping how Democrats may handle the book’s fallout. Graphic Novel Sales: Circana BookScan shows DC dominating superhero graphic-novel charts, with manga led by Jujutsu Kaisen and webtoons/web comics still driving momentum. Industry Stress Test: Steidl Verlag faces preliminary insolvency proceedings in Germany, with reports of delayed salary payments. Books & Borders: Hong Kong authorities arrest booksellers in a crackdown tied to national-security concerns, while India’s Kashmir controversy keeps escalating around “objectionable” titles. Local Literary Life: Bozeman launches Anemone, a print-only independent magazine betting on analog culture. Bestseller/Book Culture: Patricia Lockwood wins the $10,000 Gabe Hudson Prize for her dark comic COVID novel Will There Ever Be Another You.

AI Copyright Clash: Hachette, Cengage, Elsevier and novelist Scott Turow have filed a class action against Google over Gemini training, alleging millions of copyrighted books were copied and copyright management info stripped. Hong Kong Book Raids: Police arrested five linked to independent shops “Have a Nice Stay” and Greenfield, with security chief Chris Tang telling booksellers to ensure titles won’t “endanger national security,” while President Lai urged respect for diverse views. Kashmir Curriculum Crackdown: In Indian-administered Kashmir, Jammu University banned and blacklisted authors and publishers tied to “separatist” books, ordering audits and withdrawals after police remands. Publishing Deals & Launches: Transworld acquired rights to Johnny Gaunt’s debut Offcumden for horror imprint 3AM Books; and BlueRose Publishers released TravelFitPro for frequent travelers. Books in the Spotlight: A Chinar Book Festival runs in Srinagar from July 18–26, and a Roald Dahl museum event opens a Fantastic Foxy Summer featuring Dahl’s original handwritten Mr Fox manuscript. Memoir News: Little, Brown will publish Joe Biden’s Promise Me, America on Nov. 17.

AI Copyright Clash: Hachette, Cengage, Elsevier and author Scott Turow sued Google in New York over alleged Gemini training using millions of copyrighted books, arguing Google copied works from Google Books and other sources without permission. Memoir Watch: Little, Brown and Company says former President Joe Biden’s “Promise Me, America” will land Nov. 17, two weeks after midterms—an election-timing move that could reignite party fights over his legacy. Legal Pressure on Publishing: The DOJ warned HarperCollins against publishing Zachary Young’s CIA-linked spy memoir “American Spy,” threatening criminal action if the manuscript proceeds. Publishing Industry Signals: ComicHub data shows DC slipped in Q2 direct-market share (31.9% from 34.7%), while Image jumped (15.3% from 11.8%). Community & Culture: San Jose State poet Alan Soldofsky died; he built the local literary scene through teaching and the San Jose Poetry Center. Events: WORD Christchurch Festival returns Sept. 1–6 with 100+ writers and thinkers. Books & Business: Coimbatore Book Festival runs July 17–26 with 200 exhibitors and daily launches, workshops and contests.