AGP Executive Report

Publishing & Retail Deals: Barnes & Noble is acquiring Joseph-Beth Booksellers, keeping the stores’ community and events team after the Lexington and Cincinnati chain was sold as “necessary” for its future. Book-to-Screen Tech: Plotsy signed USA Today bestselling author C. Gockel for a Plotsy vBook™ adaptation of “Wolves,” translating novels into watchable “parts” while keeping the story and storyteller the same. AI in Research & Learning: Elsevier’s LeapSpace now draws on 23M+ full-text peer-reviewed sources and 2.6B cited references from Scopus, adding an advisory board for algorithm and standards guidance. Education & Reading Levels: The Emirates Publishers Association teamed with Miqyas Al Dhad to help UAE publishers classify Arabic content by reading proficiency using digital text analysis tools. Libraries & Community: Darlington and Cockerton libraries’ summer events boosted children’s borrowing, with thousands of kids taking part in reading-focused activities. Cultural Calendar: The Palace Museum released its 2027 calendar editions, including a Year of the Goat zodiac version that has sold 10M+ copies since 2009. Higher Ed Pressure: Florida faculty report fear of being targeted or “canceled,” citing student surveillance worries and the fallout from DEI cuts. Design & AI: Typographer Yu Jiwon argues AI should be limited to proofreading, defending human judgment in how projects are framed and built.

Publishing Partnerships: The Arab Book Award and the Arab Publishers Union signed a cooperation deal in Doha to boost Arabic-language publishing through joint events, seminars, and professional exchanges. New Book Buzz: A new Freddie Mercury archive volume, A Life in Lyrics, is set to spotlight handwritten drafts and unused verses behind Queen’s biggest songs. Community Reading Spaces: Two Friends Community Books opened in Springdale, Arkansas, adding a cozy reading nook and kids’ chalk-friendly corner. Book Awards: The Washington Center for the Book named winners for the 2026 Washington State Book Awards, honoring titles across memoir, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, picture books, and young readers. Local Library Spotlight: Cranbrook Public Library marked a century of service and highlighted how library programs keep evolving for readers. Health & Safety in Public Institutions: Wales’ Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board faces legal action after a patient death at Glan Clwyd Hospital, with a court hearing set for Nov. 16. Science & Food Safety: A report warns that heavy metals like cadmium and arsenic can build up in rice from phosphate fertilizers, and explores agroecology as a safer path. Trauma Care Research: UAB researchers say current pediatric blood pressure thresholds may miss early signs of hemodynamic instability after injury.

Publishing & Book Deals: Canongate acquired Caryl Lewis’ debut non-fiction Fferm: In Defence of Fragile Cultures, while Magic Cat will publish Margaret Atwood’s illustrated middle-grade “forgotten gem,” and Macmillan Children’s Books snapped up Candice Carty-Williams’ debut picture book Family Is a Feeling (illustrated by Dapo Adeola). Children’s & YA Publishing: Scholastic signed Lauren Titmuss’ thriller debut in a two-book deal; Firefinch acquired five Tim Ayliffe thrillers; HarperMagpie bought into Kristen Ciccarelli’s Crimson Moth series. Industry Events: London Book Fair 2027 will host a Children’s Media Conference, and the Children’s Media Conference 2026 is moving to London Book Fair next year. Literary Culture: Agatha Christie’s 136th birthday is being marked with crime-mystery promotions, and the Amman International Book Fair’s Silver Jubilee (Sept. 24–Oct. 3) spotlights the “Jordanian narrative,” with AI’s impact on writing and publishing on the program. Press Freedom: Eugenia Duran-Apostol, founding chair of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, died at 100, with UP honoring her legacy of fearless journalism.

Publishing & Books in the News: Eugenia Duran Apostol, founding chair of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and a longtime champion of press freedom, died at 100, with her family asking for privacy. Libraries & Community Reading: Cambridge Public Library’s NEA Big Read-style program CPL Reads will bring residents together around Shari Lapena’s thriller Getting Away with Murder, with a community event featuring the author on Oct. 30. Bookstores & Local Culture: A new “third space” is coming to Olde Town Arvada as My Book Cellar prepares to open as a bookstore-café-bar-community hub. International Literature & Heritage: Dominica’s Pont Casse Press launched a new digital platform to share the island’s history, literature, and African diaspora heritage. Education & Access: St. John’s University rolled out a free textbook program for first-year students via QR codes at the campus bookstore. Tech, AI & Reading Habits: A study commissioned by publishers and authors groups argues library e-lending of ebooks may be nudging readers away from commercial book sales. Literary Events: PRO-ZA Balkan opened in Skopje with Bulgarian participation, and Chelopek in Bulgaria unveiled 230 literary plaques as it leans into its “book village” identity.

Publishing & Booksellers: Barnes & Noble is expanding again, but Spartanburg’s promised return still isn’t set—officials say they’re hunting for the right space and no reopening date is confirmed. Book Fairs & Community: The 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair opened at ADNEC under “Let’s turn the page and read the world,” running to Sept. 18 with 95 countries, including Qatar. Local Book Culture: Boise’s Rediscovered Books marks 20 years, with a new owner team keeping its “Where Books and People Meet” mission alive. Language & Literature: Uttarakhand CM Dhami honored Hindi contributors at Dehradun’s Hindi Diwas ceremony, while Amit Shah urged Hindi to grow alongside India’s other languages. AI in Writing: A new report warns AI “slop” books are flooding marketplaces and squeezing paychecks for human authors. Rights & New Titles: Fontana will publish Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s unfinished novel; Manchester University Press backs Allison Leigh’s book on misogyny in modern art; Penguin Random House launches DUSK, a new adult crossover imprint. Film & Books: Sphere signs Valentino Rossi’s autobiography, and Vishal Chaturvedi’s team announces “RamBola,” a Tulsidas biopic. Library Funding: Florida’s proposed property tax vote faces pushback from library advocates, who warn it could cut books and services.

Abu Dhabi Book Fair: The 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair opened at ADNEC under UAE presidential patronage, running Sept. 13–18 with a “Turn the Page, Read the World” theme, plus major pavilion visits and a full educational program putting children and young adults at the center. Qatar in the mix: Qatar’s Ministry of Culture is taking part with publications spotlighting its cultural profile and aiming to deepen Gulf and Arab publishing collaborations. Reading crisis: A new push argues the U.S. literacy slump is a national opportunity crisis, warning that weak reading skills ripple into learning, college, work, and civic life. Local books & community: Maine library card holders can get free entry to participating state parks on Sept. 19—an easy win for getting readers outdoors. Publishing culture: In West Bengal, CPI(M) bookstalls at Durga Puja are back in the spotlight after political sparring over which authors get space. Tech & media: A new study says one weak cell in an EV battery pack can cut usable life by nearly 23%, while another report warns GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may rarely link to severe vitamin B1 deficiency brain illness.

Publishing & Culture: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (35th edition) opened under UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, running Sept. 13–18 with 1,500+ events, Balkan Culture as Guest of Honour, and Cervantes’ “Don Quixote” as Book of the World. Libraries & Access: Arkansas’ Act 372 faces a long legal fight over whether public libraries and bookstores can stock sexually explicit adult books, with courts previously issuing injunctions. Literary Community: Gomti Book Festival 2026 kicks off at Lucknow University (Sept. 12–20) with 250+ stalls, author sessions, children’s programming, and e-library access. Book & Language News: Ketaki Kushari Dyson, a major Tagore scholar and translator, has died at 86 in the UK. Local Literary Events: Canterbury’s City of Ghosts Festival returns Oct. 3 at St Gregory’s Church, celebrating 320 years of the modern ghost story with talks and “cursed objects.” Remembering Writers: Dr. Aziz Hajini is marked with literary gatherings and school events on his 5th death anniversary in Bandipora/Hajin.

Publishing & Books: A bilingual U.S. release of Vasyl Stus’s poetry, Vortex: Selected Poems, is set for November 2026, billed as the most substantial English selection to date, with Ukrainian originals alongside new translations. Literary Culture: New Zealand writer Tina Makereti has been named the 2026 Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellow, winning a $43,000 residency in southern France. Community Reading: Palm Springs’ free “Pride on the Page” book festival returns Nov. 14 with Ty Herndon and other memoir-focused authors. Book Town & Events: Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town, sees a historic cottage Laigh House go on sale near the coast. Tech & Learning: A new study argues academic integrity needs rethinking in the AI era, shifting focus from policing outputs to what assessments are actually measuring. Local Media/Books: Ashburn Magazine’s latest issue spotlights data-center growth and includes community features like a bookstore on wheels. Notable Deaths: Tamil scholar and Pattimandram moderator Solomon Pappaiah was cremated with full state honours. Health/Research (book-adjacent): The AHA/ASA published a 2026 adult stroke rehab guideline update, replacing the 2016 version.

Book Events & Author Tours: Brighton’s 2 Dandelions Bookshop will host bestselling novelist Marjan Kamali (The Lion Women of Tehran) on Sept. 15, with doors opening at 5:30 and registration required. Local Libraries & Tech: IIM Jammu launched Jammu’s first “smart library,” using KOHA and RFID plus a web portal for booking spaces and tracking resources. Tamil Literature in the Spotlight: Tamil scholar Solomon Pappaiah died at 90; Tamil Nadu announced state honours for his final rites, and tributes highlighted his Pattimandram legacy. Publishing & Culture: Nigeria targets 2 million creative-industry jobs by 2030, pushing artists to build businesses and use intellectual property. Media & Rights: Delhi High Court ordered Meta and Google to remove deepfake videos impersonating Rajat Sharma. Health & Reading Culture: A new dementia-focused guide, When Memory Fades, frames when memory lapses may signal something more than normal aging. Tech Consumer News: Apple opened iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max pre-orders in India, with sales starting Sept. 18.

Publishing & Platforms: Wattpad marks 20 years by bringing its Filipino creator community to the Manila International Book Fair, blending online fandom with in-person events and author appearances. Book Industry Funding: NatWest backs Glassboxx with £1m to expand its tech and add an AI capability for publishers and university presses. Consumer Protection & AI Pricing: The FTC signals tougher enforcement on AI-driven personalized pricing, warning that unclear disclosures around data use could trigger Section 5 violations. Education & Censorship: Florida reports nearly 600 book removals in 2025-26, with Clay and Escambia counties driving most of the removals amid ongoing First Amendment fights. Books & Culture Events: CORA leads a Lagos Comic Con panel on “The Power of Story” across books, comics, and screen adaptations. Local Reading Life: Vermont Almanac shuts down after six years, citing “financial realities” and the difficulty of publishing in the 21st century. Community Libraries: A board game exchange returns at Worthington West-Franklin Community Library with credit-based swaps for families.

Publishing Industry Moves: Simon & Schuster Children’s Books adds AF Steadman’s World of Skandar with a new novelty title, while Caroline Dawnay is set to move from United Agents to Lexington Literary and High Line Publishing Studio launches as an independent international publisher led by Oliver Malcolm. Book Retail & Community: Brackish Books opens a brick-and-mortar home in Centreville after starting as a mobile bookstore, aiming to spotlight Maryland and Eastern Shore writers and host events. Literary Honors: Philippines President Marcos Jr. declares Sept. 12 a Day of National Mourning for National Artist for Literature Resil Mojares, and a separate proclamation names new National Artists including Nicanor Tiongson and Gregorio Brillantes (Literature). Books & Culture: Kokuyo opens its first Singapore store, bringing its Campus notebooks and stationery staples to local shoppers. Controversy & Public Debate: An open letter signed by 5,000+ public figures rejects Israel genocide accusations, warning it fuels rising antisemitism.

Reading & Libraries: BookBreak will launch its free First Annual Culture of Reading Virtual Conference (Sept. 15–17) for K-12 librarians and educators, aiming to help schools build lasting reading habits. Library Access Push: St. Maries Public Library is running National Library Card Sign-up Month in September, with sign-ups entered into a fall gift-basket drawing and access to ebooks/audiobooks via Libby. Local Book Culture: Southern Oklahoma Library System’s “Pick-A-Pop!” library card sign-up event runs through Sept. 30, with prizes tied to 3D printing. Publishing & Books: Adam Nelson’s debut novel “Huckleberry Jim” earns a William Faulkner–William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition semi-finalist nod ahead of its release, plus prior industry recognition. Culture & Diplomacy: Austria unveiled a 2026–2032 strategy for cultural and scientific diplomacy, emphasizing art, dialogue, and resilience—plus a focus on AI, literature, and society. Tech & AI in Health: A review challenges the “natural Ozempic” hype around berberine, pointing to gut-microbiome and inflammation pathways and possible side effects/interactions.

Publishing & Literacy Crisis: A new push argues America’s reading decline is an opportunity crisis, warning that kids falling below basic levels face long-term barriers in school, work, and civic life. Publishing Industry Moves: Piatkus acquired Jenna Levine’s stand-alone paranormal romance Love You to Death; Harper Fire snapped up Nina Mingya Powles’ YA debut Jade River; Solstice bought Rhi Aden’s dystopian romance series; Bookouture hired Franz Edlmayr for translations and promoted Jennifer Hunt. Festivals & Forums: The 2026 Seoul International Writers Festival opens with “Who Are We?” and debates what makes us human; Sharjah Narrative Forum closes its 22nd edition in Amman, spotlighting narrative literature across the Arab world. Education & Books in Classrooms: A Smart Money Teacher Grant funded Native American trickster-tale books for an American literature class, shifting students from online stories to shared physical reading. Tech, Words & AI: Separate coverage questions AI safety and warns that language-driven systems are moving faster than safeguards. Book Culture & Community: A local bookstore ownership transition in Waco, Texas highlights how indie shops try to protect their identity even when they change hands.

Publishing & Culture Honors: The Philippines’ Malacañang named 10 National Artists for 2025, including Nicanor Tiongson and Gregorio Brillantes for Literature, with a first-ever woman visual-arts honoree among the visual arts winners. Local Book Retail Revival: Bethlehem’s historic Moravian Book Shop reopened under Moravian University after the church stepped back from running the store, keeping the 1745 legacy alive on Main Street. Library Push: Blackwater Regional Library is running Library Card Sign-up Month, highlighting free cards plus eBooks, audiobooks, hotspots, and “Library of Things.” Book-to-Film Buzz: Keanu Reeves is set to star in the CIA thriller adaptation Kill Current, based on Oliver Lowe’s novel, with publication planned for May 2027. AI & Science Watch: OpenAI says an internal system produced a proposed solution to the Navier-Stokes Millennium Prize problem, adding fuel to the debate over whether AI is moving from assistance to genuine discovery. Community Festivals: St. Maarten’s Third Reading Festival (Sept. 25–26) aims to spark kids’ love of reading with author visits, workshops, and games. Education & Religion Policy: Deer Valley Unified is considering a “teaching about religion” elective policy that studies the Bible’s influence on Western culture while staying religiously neutral.

Publishing & Books: World Book Day 2027’s £1 titles are out, with new picks from authors including Steve Cole, Selina Brown, Farhana Islam and others. Industry Watch: Head of Zeus has appointed Anne Perry as editorial director for Aria. Genre Buzz: Dark romance keeps going mainstream, driven by TikTok and Goodreads—alongside fresh arguments about whether it glamorizes coercion and violence. Self-Publishing: Indie authors are warning that some self-publishing “intermediary” distribution/royalty services can become a single point of failure if they collapse. Libraries & Reading Culture: September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, with multiple local promotions and events highlighted. AI & Teaching: A guide argues teachers should use retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) so students can ask AI for help finding and checking sources, not just polished answers. Global Book/Arts: A children’s book series is launched in Qatar tied to Guyana’s 60th independence celebrations, and Egypt’s Cairo experimental theatre festival says it published books and translated plays during its run.

Book Industry & Retail: Barnes & Noble Education reported fiscal 2027 first-quarter results, citing improved profitability and momentum toward its First Day program growth. Community Libraries: Washoe County Library kicked off September’s Library Card Sign-up Month, urging residents to tap eBooks, audiobooks, and job-training resources. Local Book Culture: Turn the Page Bookshop in Williamsburg blends new, used, and antique titles with a “time machine” vibe for readers. Publishing & Translation: Taleb Alrefai’s “Shadow of the Sun” is now available in Greek, marking the first Gulf novel translated into the language. Book Events: Elephant Mountain Lit Fest’s Writers Cubed returns with a free author reading and panel at Nelson Public Library (Sept. 25). AI & Reading/Math: Anthropic says its Claude agents turned Fermat’s Last Theorem into a computer-verifiable proof in 11 days, using formal logic checks. Education & Literacy: A superintendent in Wareham, Massachusetts, is rolling out a multi-year early literacy action plan after students fell behind grade level. Books & Society: A Christian group in Baguio asked the city council to block a planned horror convention, arguing it could promote occult imagery and undermine local values.