Mabrouka Arnaud, an author from Toulouse, is preparing to launch her first novel, Jour 2104, a thriller that combines private intrigue with social commentary. The story revolves around a cold case from 2005 involving the disappearance of a teenager near the Deûle River, which remains unsolved. Arnaud has chosen self-publishing to bring her work to life, launching a crowdfunding campaign on Ulule to cover the costs of printing and distribution. She is supported by Marie Lafourcade, an independent graphic designer who created the book's visual identity and layout. If the campaign exceeds its initial goal, a larger print run could allow for reduced per-unit costs and potential distribution in independent bookstores. A local independent bookstore, Nouvelle Page in Pibrac, has already expressed interest in stocking the book once it is available. In a separate development, the French publishing house Eilean Books, also known as De Saxus, is expected to undergo a restructuring process that may lead to a buyout. According to reports, four potential buyers have shown interest, including Hachette Livre, Média Participations, and Editis, though their approaches differ significantly. Meanwhile, the publishing house Invenit is reissuing Entretiens sur la pluralité des mondes by Fontenelle, a 17th-century text, with images from NASA selected by astrophysicist Sylvie Cabrit to create an educational tool that bridges classical literature with contemporary astrophysics. In the realm of literature, the author Mi-rage is presenting Petites Histoires de Guerre – La Première Guerre Mondiale, a collection of ten short stories that explore the global impact of World War I through fictional characters based on documented facts. Meanwhile, in Scotland, the government has proposed a Youth Culture Pass, offering £200 for every 18-year-old to spend on culture, including books, though the specifics of how bookstores will benefit are still under discussion. In the United States, the publishing industry has seen a 14% increase in net revenue in July 2026, driven by the growth of paperback and audiobook sales, while ebook sales have declined. The overall revenue for the first half of the year has reached $6.7 billion, a 5.4% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. In contrast, the Brazilian publisher WMF Martins Fontes has decided to stop supplying Amazon, citing concerns over price competition, and has also withdrawn from university book fairs that impose significant discounts. In France, the independent bookstore La Virevolte in Lyon is facing financial difficulties and is seeking support to continue its operations. Meanwhile, the publishing house familiaR Éditions is set to release the first French translation of FOJO by Osvaldo Medina, a graphic novel set in Portugal during the interwar period. Additionally, the French publisher Caroline Sam’s is launching a collector’s edition of her novel Antonio, which pays homage to two influential figures in motorsports, Jules Bianchi and Anthoine Hubert. In the realm of independent publishing, the platform GoRead has introduced an AI-based translation service that allows authors to translate their works into nine languages for a fee of around €270, potentially changing the economic landscape of publishing. Meanwhile, the French publishing industry is grappling with issues such as the impact of library e-book lending on sales, the challenges faced by independent bookstores, and the need for a more equitable approach to the distribution of cultural resources. Other notable events include the passing of several prominent figures in the literary and publishing worlds, such as Janine Boissard, a French author known for her popular novels, and Peter May, the Scottish author of the Lewis Trilogy. The publishing industry is also witnessing a growing interest in the use of artificial intelligence in content creation, with some authors and publishers facing scrutiny over the potential use of AI in the writing process.