AGP Executive Report

UK Book Sales: Sally Rooney and Faber say her books will no longer be supplied in the UK after she pledged to support Palestine Action; Faber says it cannot pass her royalties under UK law, and Rooney agreed to the decision. Publishing Deals: Italy’s SoFiGraf, through GV Group, has acquired CPI Books and print-on-demand division CPI Antony Rowe after a six-month bidding process. AI and Authorship: Quebec publisher Éditions du Boréal will keep Thélyson Orélien’s novel in shops despite AI-writing allegations, saying it cannot verify the manuscript’s earlier history and should stand by its author; Orélien denies using AI and has acknowledged past plagiarism. Book Trade Leadership: Batch for Books CEO Fraser Tanner will leave at month’s end after 26 years, handing responsibility to Izzy Carlile. Sales Surge: A biography by ICC President Tomoko Akane has sold 85,000 copies, with the publisher linking the spike to US sanctions against her and the court.

AI and Authorship: Haitian-Canadian novelist Thélyson Orélien denied using AI to write his bestselling novel but apologized for plagiarism in earlier work; the Goncourt Prize had already dropped the book from its longlist. Reports that major publishers use AI for cover art and other work are adding to scrutiny across the industry. Book Sales: ICC President Tomoko Akane’s Fighting War Crimes has sold 85,000 copies and reached its ninth printing, with sales rising after U.S. sanctions against her and the court. Global Publishing: Frankfurt Book Fair drew about 236,000 visitors and hosted 3,800 events, with publishers and authors weighing AI, translation and the future of reading. Independent Presses: Ann Arbor’s Small + Indie Press festival showcased comics, zines and artists, while a new crowdfunder aims to establish a cooperative bookshop in Peckham.

Publishing Scandal: Quebec author Thélyson Orélien admits plagiarizing in earlier work but denies using AI for his acclaimed novel; publisher Éditions du Boréal has suspended promotion, and the book was dropped from the Goncourt selection. Independent Bookselling: A crowdfunder for a cooperative Peckham bookshop passed its £3,000 goal in under a day. Fifteen independent presses will share the two-month pilot, with 90% of sales going to publishers. Global Reach: Chinese books drew German readers at the Frankfurt Book Fair, where translators say interest in Chinese science fiction is growing. Industry Pulse: Heartland Fall Forum booksellers reported strong trade-show energy, alongside concerns about supply-chain and distribution problems. AI and Trust: Publishers face growing scrutiny over AI-generated cover art and other behind-the-scenes uses, while “human-authored” labels gain traction. Reading Access: U.S. public schools recorded 11,982 book-ban instances in 2025–26, a record since tracking began in 2021.

AI and Publishing: Staff at HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Hachette say their employers use generative AI for tasks including marketing and cover art, even as publishers scrutinize authors suspected of using AI. Separately, an AI-made imitation of Kevin Roose’s book surfaced beside the real title on Amazon. Global Reach: Korean web-novel platform HiveMind is building tools to handle the work beyond translation, including e-book production, distribution and sales tracking. Frankfurt Book Fair coverage also highlights publishers seeking new routes for Arabic and other national literatures. Reading Access: PEN America says US school book bans reached a record 11,982 instances in 2025–26, affecting 7,370 titles. Industry Shifts: New Brunswick has announced more funding for publishers, while publishers in Serbia are organizing their own October events after opting out of the Belgrade Book Fair over unfavorable terms. Books and Prizes: Zimbabwean writer and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga has become the first Black woman to receive Germany’s Peace Prize of the German Book Trade.

AI in Publishing: Employees at HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Hachette told WIRED their companies use AI for marketing copy and routine communications, even as authors face scrutiny over suspected AI-written books and staff worry about job losses. Publisher Support: New Brunswick is adding $200,000 to grants for book and periodical publishers, bringing 2026–29 funding to $550,000 and supporting nine publishers. Literary Honor: Zimbabwean author and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga has become the first Black woman to receive the German Book Trade Peace Prize, recognized for her artistic work and advocacy for freedom and political change. Book Bans: PEN America says manga including Attack on Titan, Fire Force and One Piece faced school restrictions in the U.S.; its tally records 11,982 ban instances in 2025–26. Global Reach: Frankfurt Book Fair showcases efforts to connect readers with Indian and Arabic literature, as publishers seek wider international audiences.

AI and Copyright: Argentine publisher Editorial Perfil has sued OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging their AI products used its journalism without permission and unfairly compete with publishers. At the same time, major houses are reportedly using AI for marketing copy and cover art even as they reject some AI-assisted manuscripts, prompting staff concerns. Comics Reach: BOOM! Studios is bringing titles including Something Is Killing the Children and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers to WEBTOON, opening a new digital route to readers ahead of further releases in 2027. Global Publishing: Frankfurt Book Fair discussions spotlighted AI translation’s potential for nonfiction—and its limits for poetry—while publishers raised concerns about the visibility of Arabic books. Literary Honors: Canadian poet Anne Carson’s Nobel win has driven renewed interest in her books, including a sales surge in South Korea. Author Platforms: Ghana’s Pa Gya Literary Festival is working to connect local writers with publishers and readers, while Nigeria’s authors’ association has opened submissions for the 2026 Chinua Achebe Prize.

AI in Publishing: HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Hachette are using AI for marketing copy, publicity emails and cover art even as publishers reject some AI-assisted manuscripts, a WIRED investigation reports. At Frankfurt, publishers also debated AI’s uses and risks, while human-authored book labels gained traction. Global Rights: Frankfurt Book Fair wrapped with the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade awarded to lawyer and author Philippe Sands. Arab Voices, a new platform showcasing 200 books from 22 countries, aims to help Arabic writers find translation deals; Qatari publishers also used the fair to sell rights abroad. Book News: Bloomsbury will add books on Minerva McGonagall and Fred and George Weasley to its Harry Potter collection in February 2027. Anne Carson’s Nobel win sent her book sales soaring in South Korea, where one bookseller reported a 138-fold jump.

Nobel Effect: Anne Carson’s Korean-language book sales surged after her literature Nobel win, jumping 138-fold at Kyobo Book Centre in the first 12 hours. Literary Recovery: Editor Onaiza Drabu’s The Big Book of Kashmiri Literature brings together centuries of writing, from historical poets and scholars to contemporary voices, to show how literature lives in everyday culture. Global Rights: At Frankfurt, Chinese and Qatari publishers pitched books and negotiated translation deals, using the fair to bring their writers to new markets. AI and Publishing: Publishers are weighing AI’s use in translation, where it may help with lengthy nonfiction but still needs human oversight. Separately, a report alleges major publishers used AI to produce promotional copy and cover art without telling authors, intensifying calls for transparency.

Frankfurt Book Fair: Chinese publishers brought about 170 institutions and up to 55 events, while HBKU Press worked to sell Qatari titles abroad and acquire works for Arab readers. The fair is a major meeting place for rights deals and cross-cultural exchange. Literary Spotlight: Anne Carson’s Nobel Prize has renewed attention to her work; South Korean online bookseller Yes24 reported sales up roughly 184-fold overnight. AI and Authorship: Publishers face growing debate over AI in book production, copyright and how to identify human-written work, with staff resistance and “human-authored” labels gaining ground. Freedom to Read: U.S. schools saw more than 12,000 book bans, while reported censorship attempts reached 4,235 in 2025; nearly 92% were attributed to pressure groups and government officials. Independent Publishing: Paraguay registered 1,393 new publications in 2025, up 10.4%, as author-publishers surged nearly 70% to 431.

Romance Boom: Dark romance has surged on BookTok and bestseller lists, bringing taboo themes and questions about where publishers draw the line into the spotlight. AI and Publishing: Major US publishers are reportedly using AI for marketing copy, agent emails and cover art, while staff raise concerns about undisclosed use; “human-authored” labels are gaining traction as authors and publishers confront trust and copyright questions. Global Rights: Indonesian publishers are exploring Chinese children’s titles, drawn by interactive formats and printing options, while Frankfurt Book Fair showcases publishing from across the world. Literary Honors: Anne Carson’s Nobel Prize is lifting attention and sales for her books, and her publisher has now won the award twice in two years. Reading Access: Banned Books Week highlights a record number of US school book bans, keeping censorship and readers’ freedom to choose at the center of literary debate. Audio Expansion: Spotify says its audiobook service now reaches 750 million people, with 350,000 titles in 120 languages.

AI and Authorship: Human-written labels are gaining traction at the Frankfurt Book Fair after scandals over suspected undisclosed AI use, as publishers seek ways to reassure authors and readers. Book Deals: Century has acquired children’s author Katya Balen’s debut thriller in a five-publisher auction, while Chooseco plans adult interactive books, starting with a branching version of Pride and Prejudice in 2027. Literary Spotlight: Anne Carson’s Nobel win has renewed attention to women’s recognition in major literary prizes and sent her books’ sales soaring in South Korea. Audiobooks: Spotify is expanding its audiobook service to more markets, even as publishers challenge its subscription bundle. Industry News: Frankfurt’s fair has brought publishers together around translation, international rights and AI’s impact on copyright. Jeffrey Archer’s death, just before the release of his final novel, also brought fresh attention to his bestselling legacy.

Authors and the Courts: Steven Galloway told a B.C. Supreme Court trial that he can no longer write after allegations derailed his career; he denies the claims, and the case is ongoing. Literary Honors: Canadian poet Anne Carson won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature for work the Swedish Academy praised as bold and inventive, bringing renewed attention to her books worldwide. Audiobook Expansion: Spotify says its Audiobooks+ service has topped $100 million in annual recurring revenue and plans to bring audiobooks to more than 180 markets by year-end. Publishing Pressures: The European Publishers Federation warned that falling reading levels threaten the book trade, as industry turnover has dropped sharply. AI and Copyright: A U.S. federal court ruling that AI training on copyrighted books is fair use adds to a growing debate over publishers’ rights and AI companies’ use of books.

Literary Honors: Canadian poet Anne Carson won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature for work that blends poetry, classics and other forms, bringing renewed attention to experimental writing. Publishing and AI: New York Comic Con and Frankfurt Book Fair discussions highlighted unresolved questions over ownership and copyright in AI-assisted graphic novels, as publishers also debate AI narration. Audiobooks: Spotify plans to bring its audiobook service to more than 180 markets by the end of 2026, widening its reach across the global book trade. Global Book Trade: Frankfurt Book Fair opened with countries including India, Azerbaijan and Romania showcasing books and seeking translation and publishing partnerships. Industry Loss: British novelist Jeffrey Archer, whose books found a vast readership in India, has died at 86. Freedom to Read: Banned Books Week renewed calls to protect access to challenged titles and support the writers, publishers, librarians and booksellers who make them available.

Comic Publishing: At New York Comic Con, Boom Studios said it will become a Random House Worlds imprint starting in January 2027. Marvel also introduced its Renown line of books intended to remain in print. Global Book Trade: Frankfurt Book Fair opened with more than 4,000 publishing institutions from over 100 countries, with AI, rights trading and audiobooks among its key topics. Audiobooks: Spotify plans to expand access to more than 180 markets by year-end; publishers continue to challenge its bundled audiobook model, while Spotify says its Audiobooks+ tier has passed one million subscribers. AI and Copyright: A U.S. federal court ruled that AI training on copyrighted books is fair use, while Japanese publishers voiced concern after Anthropic bought books in bulk. Industry Loss: Russian attacks destroyed a Kyiv warehouse used by Knygolove, including tens of thousands of books and reprints of titles lost in an earlier strike. Remembering Jeffrey Archer: The bestselling novelist died aged 86 on the eve of his final novel’s release. His books sold more than 300 million copies worldwide.

Audiobooks: Spotify plans to bring its service to more than 180 markets by year-end, with 350,000-plus titles in over 120 languages and monthly listeners up 40%. Frankfurt Book Fair: More than 4,000 publishing organizations from 100-plus countries are meeting in Frankfurt, where publishers debated AI narration. A separate industry discussion put self-publishing’s biggest players on a scale comparable to major consumer publishers. AI & Copyright: A U.S. federal judge ruled Meta’s use of copyrighted books to train AI fair use, an early win for developers in a case brought by authors. Censorship: PEN America counted more than 12,000 school book bans nationwide in 2025-26, with Texas accounting for over 8,100. Literary News: Bestselling novelist Jeffrey Archer died at 86, a day before the release of his final novel, Adam & Eve. Ukraine’s Books: Volumes burned in a Russian attack on a Kharkiv publisher’s logistics center are displayed as an art installation at the Frankfurt fair.

Publishing & Community Events: Neighborly Books hosts Appalachian ghost-story readings Thursday, Oct. 8, featuring authors from the 2026 Howling Hills Publishing anthology. Representation on the Floor: New York Comic Con’s Pride Lounge returns Oct. 8-11 as a curated respite for LGBTQIA+ fans at Javits. Religion & Publishing: The Vatican Publishing House will release Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández’s “The Private Diary of Pope Francis” worldwide Nov. 24 in five languages. Censorship Watch: Washington authors and librarians mark Banned Books Week with videos on reading freely, including the removal of Kelly Jones’ “Unusual Chickens…” from a school district. International Book Business: Greece brings 282 titles and 47 publishers to Frankfurt Book Fair, with ELIVIP coordinating the national pavilion and rights-focused catalogues. Copyright & AI: The ABC tells lawmakers robots.txt opt-outs are being bypassed by AI firms, arguing existing copyright law is the only workable remedy. Book World News: Tyra Banks is rereleasing “Modelland” for its 15th anniversary on Nov. 3 via Delacorte Press. Major Theft: A Salvador Dalí-designed bronze “Livre de l’Apocalypse” cover (150kg) is stolen from a French museum. Industry Deal: Valsoft acquires Firebrand Group, including NetGalley, expanding its publishing software and services reach. Bestsellers Snapshot: Circana’s 2026 year-to-date list is dominated by adult genre fiction, with older hits still climbing alongside newer breakout titles.