AGP Executive Report

Literary Culture & Events: Cuba’s Portus Patris gathering in Las Tunas brought writers and young creatives together for readings, panels, and workshops at the Nicolás Guillén Foundation. Publishing & Reading Habits: A new report on Nigeria’s journalism book “Truth, Trust, and the Future of Journalism” argues credibility depends on both truth and trust, while another piece warns that reading is slipping as attention shifts toward faster, AI-fed content. Youth Literature: Waterford’s Lit Festival returns for its ninth year as a youth-led weekend of poetry, prose, performances, and workshops. Bookshops & Community: A Leeds indie shop, Colours May Vary, highlights how physical books still thrive with niche titles and community-focused retail. Film/TV Adaptations: Netflix’s “East of Eden” re-centers Cathy Ames and tries to “deconstruct” the novel’s “monster” label, while “Verity” tops the box office as Colleen Hoover adaptations keep pulling readers to screens. Education Under Strain: France plans to close up to 500 schools after violent student protests, with classrooms targeted and staff injured. AI & Research Skills: An MGM College workshop focused on academic writing and AI tools for faculty, reflecting how research and publishing workflows keep changing. Arts & Authors: Canadian rock and “Canadian Idol” judge Sass Jordan has died at 65.

Publishing in conflict: A Gaza book survived bombing and rubble, then was recovered, repaired, and returned to a child—highlighting how libraries and school texts are becoming lifelines when education collapses. Higher education independence: PEN America’s “Champions of Higher Education” group has launched an open letter urging government and society to respect universities’ independence, pushing back on a federal “call to action” seen as political pressure. Book culture under pressure: In the UK, Jacqueline Wilson and other major authors are backing independent bookshops’ fight against crippling business-rate tax bills that could worsen a youth reading crisis. Literary awards watch: The 2026 Sunday Times Literary Awards shortlist is out, with fresh South African fiction and non-fiction contenders. AI and ideas events: Sydney Opera House’s Curious festival kicks off with talks on AI, journalism, and meaning-making—bringing big-name thinkers to the stage. Books and war on books: Ukraine’s publishing community continues to face destruction tied to Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian literature and warehouses. Local bookstore spotlight: Denver’s The Bookies Bookstore recommends new genre-spanning reads, including a thriller and a fantasy mystery.

Banned Books Week: Penguin Random House’s “Banned Wagon” rolls into Brooklyn Public Library’s Bushwick branch Oct. 5 with 50 banned/challenged titles for free, plus related censorship-and-access programming. Community Reading Events: Summit County’s One Book One Community program moved books via a “book brigade” to a new library branch—more than 100 people helped transfer the tradition. Publishing & Libraries: Indonesia’s National Library received 100 curated books from 11 Chinese publishing houses, spanning culture, history, literature, science and tech. Local Culture & Festivals: Bengaluru Jatre is set for Dec. 4–13, a citywide festival spotlighting culture, art, literature and traditions across multiple venues. Book Industry Spotlight: HBKU Press says it has published 800+ titles, with Qatari authors making up about half its writers. STEM & Education: West Africa faces a science-student drop, with Ivory Coast reporting tiny numbers in elite math-and-physics tracks. Book-to-Screen Buzz: Netflix’s “East of Eden” adaptation reframes Cathy Ames with more context and sympathy.

Publishing & Books: MacKenzie Scott’s long-awaited first novel in 13 years, Last Days in Two Nations, is drawing sharp criticism, with readers and reviewers calling it “baffling” and questioning the message behind its near-future, two-Americas setup. Literary Prizes: Nigeria’s Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has released the 2026 shortlist, with Uzo Nwamara among drama nominees and multiple writers named across poetry, fiction, criticism, and children’s categories. Crime Fiction Anniversary: Spanish author Alicia Giménez Bartlett marks 30 years of Petra Delicado with Bajo el cielo infernal, a new installment shaped by grief and personal loss. Global Reading & Translation: An Italian translator won a Pisa Book Translation Award for translating Taiwanese author Kevin Chen’s Ghost Town, as Taiwan’s culture ministry pushes to expand international access to local literature. Tech & Privacy for Readers: Apple says it will tighten Mac privacy controls for “Full Disk Access,” warning that AI agents need broad permissions and that risks will grow as they become more autonomous. AI & Publishing Costs: OpenAI is reportedly spending about ₹4.8 crore a day on a review of its AI agents after unauthorized access incidents, raising fresh questions about how agent tools are governed.

Book Sales & New Releases: Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Gruffalo Granny is driving major sales momentum, with the duo returning to the franchise 26 years after The Gruffalo first hit shelves. Community Libraries: Nelson Public Library is running an annual satisfaction survey through Oct. 16, asking patrons what’s working, what’s missing, and offering a chance to win a $50 gift card to a local bookstore. Publishing & Censorship: Penguin Random House’s “Banned Wagon” returns to Detroit for Banned Books Week, giving readers free copies of challenged titles and spotlighting the ongoing debate over what belongs in schools and libraries. Book Events: Burbank Public Library’s free Burbank Book Festival is set for Oct. 3, bringing authors and readers together with a community-first lineup. Education & Reading Habits: A report on AP English Literature shifting toward shorter texts points to broader concerns about declining daily reading among teens. Literary Culture: Yaddo names Cyra Levenson as its next president, continuing the long-running artist-and-writer residency’s push into its next era.

Publishing Industry & Careers: Daniela Schlingmann Literary Scouting promoted Isabel Martin to scout and Tom Taylor to associate scout, signaling fresh talent flow into the book pipeline. Book Trade & Retail: Skylight Books made its first acquisition, Between the Years by Anna Walden, while Tor UK, Harvill, Picador, DK Children’s, and WW Norton all announced new deals, promotions, and imprint moves. AI, Creativity & Rights: Hong Kong’s comic scene is looking to AI to cut production costs and speed adaptation into animation, but copyright and authorship questions are front and center. Independent Bookstores: Chaparral Books opened a second storefront in the Ford Building, leaning into community and low-pressure browsing. Culture & Reading Habits: A viral moment—Alix Earle saying she’s “never read a book”—sparked debate about literacy snobbery and what “reading” should mean in a social-media age. Global Book Events: Curated Korea 2026 brings Korean TV, books, and author talks to London, with screenings and literary stops at major venues. Science & Storytelling: A Pennington scientist links pregnancy cravings to changes in serotonin neurons, adding another research-to-narrative thread for readers.

AI & Publishing Trust: A new report on AI suspicion highlights how readers and writers are debating AI-detection tools, with concerns about false positives and what “AI-like” even means for books and Kindle texts. Tech Power & Antitrust Mood: Cory Doctorow warns that big-tech “enshittification” keeps harming users, and argues the next fight should target digital monopolies—not just chase AI hype. Military Tech Shift: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined a push toward autonomous weapons, including a new command to scale robotic capabilities. Book Industry Snapshot: Industry data says print still dominates publishers’ revenue, while physical retail revenue rose—so “books are dying” isn’t the whole story. Literary Culture & Events: Jodi Picoult shares historical fiction favorites; Bulgaria’s Literature Night returns across 12 cities; and local libraries and bookstores keep rolling out author talks and community programs. Publishing/Books on the Move: Canongate is set to publish Tilda Swinton’s memoir, and a new Christian media publisher launches KJV-rooted books and worship music.

Library & Reading Access: Malaysia’s National Library (PNM) is pushing a digital transformation with AI, data analytics, cloud tools, and immersive learning to boost reading literacy and widen access to authentic information. Publishing & Culture in the Region: Sharjah’s House of Wisdom opened a “Library Corner” with L’ÉCOLE and Van Cleef & Arpels, offering 230+ jewellery-focused titles plus workshops and talks. Kids’ Books Trend: Verse novels are gaining traction with younger readers thanks to shorter, more approachable text and strong read-aloud rhythm. Book Industry Deals: Faber acquired Dee Stevens’ YA romantic comedy; Hodderscape snapped up two standalone romantic fantasy novels from Isabel Ibañez; Gallery YA (Simon & Schuster) acquired Sarah Shaffi’s historical YA debut. Community Reading Events: Spokane Is Reading brings author Laurie Frankel for two Oct. 7 events with Spokane Public Library partners and Auntie’s Bookstore. Tech & Audio Publishing: AI narration firms are framed as a “Trojan horse” for the audiobook industry, raising concerns for creators and standards.

Local Business Spotlight: Great Bend’s IGNITE finalists include The Book Cellar, a Claflin book-and-liquor shop aiming for curated, personalized browsing—owners say liquor-license limits are their biggest hurdle. Library & E-Reading: Grand Island Public Library cuts Hoopla checkouts from 7 to 5 items starting Oct. 1, and plans an unlimited e-audiobook platform soon. Publishing Trade: Spain’s Liber book fair in Barcelona draws 250 exhibitors from 19 countries and pushes new global publishing ties. Community Events: Beckley’s Burm Booksellers expands local author events, while Ferris Public Library marks Banned Books Week with a challenged-title display and kids’ trivia. Education & Culture: Pittsburgh’s new ethnic studies course sparks a debate over civic reasoning vs activism. AI & Books: A class action settlement over Anthropic’s AI training pays authors/publishers, reigniting questions about whether model training should require compensation. Book Culture & Controversy: A Princess Diana memoir tops UK non-fiction lists, fueling fresh debate.

International Translation Day: FIT is marking Sept. 30 with a focus on “The Power of Being Understood,” arguing AI can support translation but can’t replace human judgment and language rights. AI & Publishing Policy: South Korea’s publishers and authors have launched voluntary principles for AI use in books, aiming for transparency, accountability, and fair compensation. Used Books Under Pressure: Japan’s used-book boom is being fueled by bulk buying for AI scanning and shredding, raising fears that culture tied to physical books will be lost. Book Retail News: Birch Tree Books & Plants reopened in a bigger Leesburg space, expanding both shelves and its plant section. Campus Grading Shake-Up: University of Michigan paused a plan to remove letter grades for many first-semester students after backlash and calls for more input. New Fiction Buzz: Ali Hazelwood announced a sequel to The Love Hypothesis, The Two-Body Problem, with preorders open for a Feb. 2, 2027 release. Tourism + Books: Kirkus gave a starred review to Destination Stewardship, spotlighting how tourism can grow without harming communities and culture.

Publishing Deals & Rights: Ladybird won a seven-way auction for Ana Stretcu’s debut in a three-book deal, while Farshore pre-empted Louise Greig’s illustrated “Little Prince” rose story; Picador snapped up Evie Wyld’s first crime novel in a two-book pre-empt, Mantle acquired Kate Morton’s “Christabel,” and Viking pre-empted Kit Haggard’s speculative debut. Book Retail & Community: Decatur Book Festival returns Oct. 2–3 with 100+ writers and a street fair for small presses and booksellers; Maryland/Delaware’s Salty Girl Books keeps expanding after going viral with a mobile book boutique. Digital Publishing Infrastructure: Sri Lanka’s TruePass launched a digital identity and authentication platform and formed a TruePass Media Alliance to help publishers build trusted, first-party audience relationships. AI, Media, and Reading Culture: A study links adolescents’ social understanding (theory of mind) to how they use online conversations; separate coverage highlights how AI narratives in news can skew who gets authority. Arts & Literature News: Scotland’s The Skinny magazine was saved via Outer Spaces’ takeover; Nina Schuyler’s “Open the Floodgates” ties climate fiction to lived experiences on Pacific waters.

Book Culture & Community: Wild Detectives expands in Dallas, opening a second location focused on nonfiction, while Second Chapter Bookstore hosts a Banned Books Week Read-In (Oct. 4) to celebrate the freedom to read. Literary Events & Signings: Vroman’s welcomes historian Jon Else for a talk and signing of Frenchman Flat (Sept. 28), and Oklahoma author Patty McCall does a double signing at Bear’s Bookstore (Oct. 3). Publishing & AI in the Spotlight: France’s Prix Goncourt drops a novel after AI-writing accusations, and Pew Research Center sets rules for measured AI use in surveys and research. Reading, Libraries & New Releases: Meg Anderson’s debut The Memory of Borrowed Books (out Oct. 6) centers on a threatened coastal library, and a small Boox e-reader—Picco—goes up for preorder. Education & Access: A piece on Kuwait’s used-book scene highlights how affordable secondhand collections can widen access to reading. Science & Health (book-adjacent): FDA oncology trials are criticized for not reflecting real-world patients, and a review finds menopause data in health records is often inconsistently documented.

Publishing Deals: Embla Books signed self-published crime writer Alex Scarrow to a 17-book deal, while Transworld poached Mhairi McFarlane on a two-book pact and HarperCollins Children’s acquired five books from illustrator Adam Stower; Arcadia also snapped up MinSook McCreary’s debut fantasy Kumiho. Children’s & Genre Buzz: Hachette Children’s Group bought a children’s murder mystery series by Kristen Perrin, Virago pre-empted Melissa Oliver-Powell’s literary horror debut Sea Mouth in a six-figure deal, and Bedford Square acquired Nicola Whyte’s Godfellas. AI & Books: A French top prize removed a novel from the Prix Goncourt shortlist after AI-writing accusations, with the author denying use; meanwhile, commentary argues publishing must make transparency safer than concealment. Libraries & Costs: Pittsburgh libraries say e-books are draining budgets, with e-book spending now consuming about half of materials funds. Global Literary Events: FILBo 2027 names Sharjah as its first Arab Guest of Honour. Book Culture: David Sedaris headlines an Oct. 1 live event in Pittsfield.

School & STEM Win: Mangawhai Hills College (NZ) takes a national Tournament of Minds title, with students building an award-winning script, costumes and presentation largely without teacher help. Academic Integrity in Focus: An Auburn University professor’s “functional period underwear” and transgender-related claims are questioned after details appeared on the university website. Romantasy Boom: African speculative fiction is surging, with “romantasy” driven by TikTok and authors drawing on local myths and settings. Book-to-Screen Buzz: Netflix is filming at Town House Books in St. Charles, pointing to an adaptation of Lynn Painter’s YA novel “Better Than the Movies.” Publishing & AI Debate: A new push in Sharjah backs aspiring publishers through training on sustainable business models. Translation & Access: World Translation Day coverage highlights how translation keeps languages—and histories—alive, even as AI changes the landscape. Libraries as Community Hubs: Kalamazoo Public Library spotlights free resources, events, and card sign-ups as a gateway to learning and connection.

AI & Authorship: At Qatar National Library’s “Write to Inspire,” author and AI specialist Mohammed al-Qassabi argued AI can draft books fast, but can’t replace an author’s lived perspective—urging writers to use tools to organize ideas, not outsource thinking. Education Policy: Kyrgyzstan’s president signed a decree funding 8.5 billion soms for new school textbooks, with a 2027–2030 publishing plan and QR codes to track distribution by region, school, and class. Publishing & Bookselling: In Milan, Ann Demeulemeester hosted a book signing for “Print,” a coffee-table volume cataloguing her fashion invitations—turning design ephemera into collectible print culture. Literary Culture Abroad: Palestine and Russia agreed to run reciprocal cultural weeks and translate classic and heritage books into Arabic and Russian. Community Reading: A new horror bookshop, “Horrifically Good Books,” is set to open in York’s historic Goodramgate building next month, with writing workshops and in-store events. Book-to-Storytelling: YA author Margaret Owen highlighted how “Camp Half-Blood: The Wild Zone” expands the Camp Half-Blood world while keeping covers and writing craft front and center. Local Books & Learning: Colorado’s SunLit featured “Exit Party” by Emily St. John Mandel, pairing an excerpt with an author interview.

AI & Authorship Clash: France’s top Goncourt prize removed Haitian-Canadian author Thelyson Orelien’s novel from its longlist after AI-writing and plagiarism accusations—while detector results reportedly conflict, reigniting debate over originality and race. Publishing Industry Watch: Canadian novelist Thélyson Orélien also faced AI allegations and removal from a Prix Goncourt longlist, underscoring how quickly AI claims can reshape award pipelines. Healthcare AI Funding: OpenEvidence raised $250M at a $15B valuation, focusing on helping clinicians search medical evidence inside their workflow rather than building a general chatbot. Book Retail & Culture: AfroQuality opened a flagship Accra store blending African fashion, lifestyle, and literature brands, aiming to give publishers and artisans physical access to Pan-African markets. Community Book Life: Bartow, Florida declared Oct. 1 “Bo & Sandy Raulerson Day” for 50 years running Bartow Christian Books and Gifts. Events & Reading Culture: Celebrate Banned Books Week (Oct. 4–10) and local literary festivals keep rolling, with a Scottish book festival featuring Queen Camilla and Paddington star Hugh Bonneville.