A new bookstore opens in France, while global publishing trends and controversies unfold, including AI lawsuits and gender debates.
New bookstore opens in 2026
A future bookstore, named La Cabane à Livres, aims to open in Meudon-la-Forêt on December 1, 2026. Project leader Aurélie Fiani describes it as a place for reading, discovery, and exchange, with a generalist book offer, a convivial coffee area, events, and complementary products.Financial goals and expansion plans
The bookstore seeks to achieve a turnover of 234 k€ HT in its first year, with plans to hire an apprentice in the second year and develop partnerships with local shops and authorities.New studio tests story potential
Two former Amazon executives, Jeff Belle and Nicholas Denissen, have launched Macguffin Co., a studio that tests the commercial potential of stories still in development. They have signed an agreement with Andrews McMeel Universal, where the book is part of a wider set intended for screens and games.European acquisition of major book seller
Daniel Křetínský, the owner of Editis, has been granted approval by the European Commission to acquire Fnac Darty, a leading French book seller. The tender offer is expected to close in early November.U.S. publishing industry growth
In the United States, the American publishing industry continues to grow, with net revenue reaching 1.2 billion $ in August 2026, up 8.9% year-on-year. Trade books for the general public saw even faster growth (+12.5%), while ebook sales declined and digital audio continued its growth.French publishers face mixed results
In France, Hachette Livre's sales declined by 4% in the domestic market, but international activities supported overall growth. Lagardère Publishing achieved 836 million euros in revenue in the third quarter of 2026, up 0.9% at comparable data.Restrictions on bookstores in Lyon
At the same time, Relay bookstores at the Lyon station will lose the possibility of freely ordering their books starting November 1, 2026. According to an investigation by Mediapart, Lagardère has decided to remove their access to the ordering platform, previously used to complete the selection imposed by headquarters. A fifth of the space devoted to books must also be replaced by Lego toys.Funding threat to Canadian poetry program
In Canada, the Poetry in Transit program, which has allowed passengers to discover texts by authors from British Columbia during their commutes since 1996, is threatened with funding withdrawal from TransLink, which could lead to its disappearance by the end of the 2026-2027 season.Education reform in Georgia
In Georgia, a reform requires schools to adopt a common textbook for each subject and grade level by September 2028, which the International Publishers Association has denounced as a threat to the freedom to publish, pedagogical diversity, and the future of school publishing.Legal victory for free speech in Florida
In Florida, a federal appellate court ruled that members of a school board cannot invoke their function to avoid questions about books removed from their libraries, marking a procedural victory for PEN America, Penguin Random House, and several authors.UN calls for equality in publishing
The United Nations has called on the book industry to advance equality, with UN Women and the International Publishers Association launching a global commitment to increase the number of women in leadership positions, ensure equitable working conditions, and improve the visibility of female authors.J.K. Rowling's controversial essay
J.K. Rowling accused "transgender activism of being elitist" in a new essay, presenting transgender activism as an "elitist" movement, imposed on the working classes by institutions. Several of her accusations rely on poorly supported generalizations.French writer's death sparks reflection
In France, the death of Japanese writer Ryû Murakami, author of Bleu presque transparent and Les Bébés de la consigne automatique, has sparked reactions, with his novels having told the anger of a youth that no longer found its place in society.Supreme Court recusal in BMG case
In the United States, four judges of the Supreme Court withdrew from a lawsuit involving BMG, a company controlled by Bertelsmann, due to a conflict of interest, as all four have published books with Penguin Random House, property of the same German group.Authors sue Meta over AI training
In the United States, several hundred authors have sued Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, over the use of their works in training artificial intelligence models.French protests echo writer's legacy
In France, the death of Ryû Murakami has found a particular echo in the current climate of protest that France is going through.New prize for comedy writers
In the United Kingdom, Helen Fielding has created a Bridget Jones prize for unknown comedy writers, offering 2000 £ for writers who have not yet published any book and do not have an agent.Book withdrawal over content dispute
In Palestine, two authors have withdrawn their children's book from Random House after several months of disagreements on the treatment of the attacks of October 7, 2023. The independent publisher Interlink Books now announces a publication for 2027 under a different title.Fnac acquisition nears completion
In France, the owner of Editis, Daniel Křetínský, is soon to be in charge of Fnac, with the European Commission authorizing his tender offer on Fnac Darty, which he already owns 28.5% of the capital.French language and nuclear energy
In France, the French Language Enrichment Commission has turned its attention to the field of nuclear energy, aiming to facilitate the use of French in all domains.Ghost honored in Kansas City library
In France, the ghost of the Linda Hall Library in Kansas City, a scientific library, has been given an identity, with the establishment choosing to honor the legend of a supposed French ghost, dead in the Alps in the 17th century.Duplicate entry on ghost honor
In France, the ghost of the Linda Hall Library in Kansas City, a scientific library, has been given an identity, with the establishment choosing to honor the legend of a supposed French ghost, dead in the Alps in the 17th century.Duplicate entry on ghost honor
In France, the ghost of the Linda Hall Library in Kansas City, a scientific library, has been given an identity, with the establishment choosing to honor the legend of a supposed French ghost, dead in the Alps in the 17th century.
