The Société des gens de lettres (SGDL), a French organization dedicated to supporting literature and the arts, has named Isabelle Berneron as its new head of prizes and scholarships, starting on September 1, 2026. Berneron has over 15 years of experience in the book industry and international cultural projects. She previously worked at the French Embassy in Buenos Aires and the Ministry of Culture. The SGDL annually gives out 12 literary prizes and 3 creation scholarships, covering genres like fiction, non-fiction, children's literature, poetry, and literary translation. In September 2026, several prominent figures in literature and the arts passed away. These included Janine Boissard, a key figure in French popular literature; Peter May, the author of the Lewis trilogy; Joshua Cassara, an American illustrator known for his work on Marvel comics; Rodolphe, a significant comic book writer; Jean-Paul Desprat, a historian and novelist; and Annie Dillard, a major figure in American literature. Éliane Viennot also spoke about the controversy over a proposal to include Olympe de Gouges, a French revolutionary figure, in the Pantheon, a place in Paris where notable citizens are buried. The Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in Paris announced a program to honor the legacy of poet Mahmoud Darwich, which will take place from September 25 to 27, 2026. The event will be held in 15 cities across France and other countries. The French Institute and the French Institute of Japan also announced the winners of the Villa Kujoyama residency program for 2027, with 14 projects selected from 16 artists. Other developments in the literary and publishing world include the return of Cassandra Rios' books to Brazilian bookstores after they were previously censored. Arnaud Labory was appointed as the director of the press service for Albin Michel, a French publishing house. Hachette Livre, one of France's largest publishing groups, has reorganized its international leadership. Éditions du Félin will launch a new collection called "Illumination," designed for flexible reading. Additionally, the Court of Cassation, France's highest court for civil and criminal matters, ruled against the publisher Allary for violating the Social Security Code by compensating a collection director under the special regime for artists and authors. In the publishing and bookstore sector, negotiations between the Syndicat de la librairie française (SLF), a union representing French booksellers, and employee unions have stalled. There are also reports of potential acquisitions of De Saxus (Eilean Books) by several publishers. In Argentina, the city of Córdoba ordered 50,000 books to support local publishers. In Scotland, bookstores are waiting for details about a government plan to provide financial support to 18-year-olds. Meanwhile, in Russia, concerns have been raised that up to 70% of municipal funds allocated for libraries might be removed from public access.