Thibaut Cartier becomes head of SNE's Commercial Uses commission, focusing on book pricing, AI, and second-hand markets, amid industry tensions and new publishing developments.
Thibaut Cartier elected to SNE presidency
Thibaut Cartier, director general of Média Diffusion since 2023, was elected on October 29, 2026, to lead the Commercial Uses commission of the National Syndicate of Publishing (SNE). His new role involves starting a new series of discussions with booksellers on key issues like the single price of books, the second-hand market, and the impact of artificial intelligence.Cartier's background and goals
Before becoming director general of Média Diffusion, Cartier worked at Ouest-France editions, DILISCO, and Odile Jacob editions, and held roles as deputy director general and then director general. He aims to continue the work of his predecessor, Éric Leblanc, and to represent the publishing industry's interests while improving communication with the French Book Trade Syndicate (SLF).Focus on the single price law
The Commercial Uses commission of the SNE collaborates closely with the commercial commission of the SLF on the rules governing the relationship between publishers and booksellers. A key focus is ensuring compliance with the August 10, 1981 law, which mandates a single price for books, including its enforcement on online sales platforms.Diverging views on tax proposals
Despite collaboration, the SNE and SLF have had disagreements, such as in June 2026 when they differed over a proposed tax on the revenues of major players in publishing and book sales. This tax, suggested by booksellers, would fund support for the sector. The SNE also has long pushed for remuneration for authors and publishers on certain second-hand book sales, a proposal opposed by some in the reuse and online commerce sectors.New agreement on pricing practices
In April 2026, the SNE and SLF signed an interprofessional charter to regulate the use of price codes on books. This agreement includes ten commitments to simplify pricing practices and reduce constraints on booksellers. Meanwhile, a survey found that 69% of French people do not consider books written by AI as real literature, and 92% want AI use in writing to be clearly marked on book covers.Controversies and changes in publishing
Two authors, Alana Hadid and Jenan Matari, withdrew from a children's book on Palestine scheduled for publication with Random House due to disagreements over the portrayal of the October 7, 2023 attacks. The book is now set for 2027 by Interlink Books under a different title. The Quebec publisher Boréal announced it would no longer reprint C'était ça ou mourir and would not publish any other books by Thélyson Orélien after AI-generated content was found in the novel's metadata.New releases and industry changes
Boualem Sansal has returned to publishing with La Possibilité d'un miracle, following tensions after the dismissal of Olivier Nora at Grasset. Meanwhile, the independent publisher Dis-moi tout, known for "memory books," has entered judicial liquidation. In the U.S., Veronica Roth's new version of Divergent, titled La Sixième Faction, reached second place on the Publishers Weekly bestseller list for young adult fiction.Industry updates and notable events
Other updates include the passing of Henry Dougier, founder of Autrement editions, and Cécile Mahon, who is launching a new project related to the Nautilus. In India, Siddhesh Gautam released The Blue Book, a graphic novel critiquing the caste system. Bertelsmann is investing in on-demand printing to reduce stock and increase sustainability, while the German Greens are advocating for public support for small publishers. In Russia, the publisher Individuum has ceased operations after years of pressure.
