New novel crowdfunding campaign

CONQUISTA, a historical adventure novel by Franck Pertegas, follows Francisco de Peralta, a young Aragonese hidalgo who leaves Spain in 1535 for the New World. The novel explores the 16th century's complex realities, focusing on the characters' ambitions, contradictions, and beliefs rather than just the conquest itself. The project has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Ulule to support its publication. CONQUISTA is the first major universe developed under the label LudiK Studio.

Dystopian graphic novel and fantasy manga

Altered Blood, a dystopian science fiction graphic novel by Romane (Holicdraw), follows Kryo, a half-human, half-alien Altérée, on a quest to discover her origins in a world where Earth no longer exists. Heathen(s), a fantasy manga by Shindo, is set in a fictional universe inspired by ancient Greece and is scheduled for release in December 2026.

Bookstore acquisition and exhibition

Daniel Křetínský, owner of Editis, has received approval from the European Commission to acquire Fnac Darty, a major French book retailer, expanding his influence in the French publishing and retail sectors. The closing of the tender is expected at the beginning of November. The exhibition "Philippe Druillet × Enki Bilal, Des Dieux et des Hommes" will be presented at the Fonds Enki Bilal in Paris from December 3, 2026, to May 9, 2027. A catalog for the exhibition is being pre-sold on Ulule.

Book sales and bookstore changes

Stéphanie Lechat's book Lila, mon amour – Le pouvoir des maux, born from the grief of her daughter's illness, has achieved 377 pre-sales three days before its closing on October 5. The project is supported by a collective mobilization. Relay bookstores in Lyon will lose the ability to freely choose their book selections starting November 1, 2026, as Lagardère removes their access to the order platform. A fifth of the space devoted to books will be replaced by Lego toys.

Children's books and crowdfunding

William Guérin's children's album Stella et Luna, which tells the story of the stars and the moon, is supported by a crowdfunding campaign on Ulule. The project benefits L'ENVOL, an association that supports sick children. Éditions Evalou has launched a crowdfunding campaign for an illustrated book inspired by Pomme's song Les Séquoias. Edistat has released a ranking of the 50 best-selling paperbacks in France from October 5 to 11, 2026, showing a mix of thrillers and autumn romances.

Book sales trends and publishing challenges

A NielsenIQ BookData study on the French market found that the sales of books inspired by Netflix adaptations, such as Bridgerton and Lupin, increased around the time of their broadcast. However, the extent to which the screen contributed to this increase remains unclear. Carlotta Films has been publishing books on directors, actors, and films for nearly 10 years, despite the difficulties faced by bookstores, publishers, and shops. Hachette Livre reported a 4% decline in sales in France but growth internationally, with revenue reaching 836 million euros in the third quarter of 2026.

Local publishing initiatives

Tache Papier has been running a Print Club in Dijon since 2015, supporting artists and developing its own editorial projects. In the United States, publishing revenue rose 8.9% in August 2026, with trade books increasing by 12.5%, while ebook sales declined. Cindy C. Teston's fantasy saga Ce qu'il restera du Monde - tome 1 : La Louve et le Targhar reached its crowdfunding goal in less than two hours. The Wandering Grimoire, a traveling café-bookstore, is in the final phase of renovation before embarking on its journey.

Literary projects and new genres

The League of Extraordinary Female Writers is a literary project that stages the confrontation between a real author and a monster from fantasy literature. Caro M. has developed "Romaction," a genre blending romance with action and suspense. David Willer's book The Ogre, the Tree, and the Child is being crowdfunded on Ulule, featuring illustrations by François Aubin. HexaTrek has launched the official book and topoguide for its hiking route across France's mountains.

New releases and cultural initiatives

Raion Éditions has released Fear of the Dark, a Hong Kong horror manga by Wai On. The Sofia collective, which supports nearly 300 events annually, is hosting a conference in Paris to discuss the future of festivals and book fairs. Atama Éditions has launched Chacha et Zali, a children's collection featuring deaf heroes, with the first album telling the story of a child discovering her deafness and hearing aids. Gates of Krystalia, an animated and isekai role-playing game, continues its adventure with Lumina.

Publishing technology and literary events

Bookwire is using artificial intelligence to optimize book prices. Maria in the land of enchantment, a fully watercolor-illustrated children's book by Mathilde Vargas and Mélanie Sutter, invites children to explore a world of enchantment and wonder. COMPLORAMA, a new magazine directed by Rudy Reichstadt, focuses on the analysis of conspiracy theories and misinformation. "My Ritual and Me," a card game by Stéphanie Piton, encourages self-care and introspection.

Corporate changes and legal issues

Valsoft has acquired Firebrand Group, which includes Firebrand Technologies, NetGalley, and Supadu, under the same shareholder as Edelweiss. Juliane Bosch has created Cthulhu, the Ancient Dreamer, an illustrated album based on H.P. Lovecraft's short story. Enchantment, a book by Stéphane Hette and Marcello Pettineo, reminds readers that enchantment is everywhere. De Saxus, a publishing company, is involved in a judicial recovery process with Xavier Niel's NJJ Holding submitting a last-minute offer.

Literary themes and legal challenges

The Sorceress of Maupir, a romantic fantasy by Antoine Grandin, explores themes of healing and magic. Nosoli, in judicial recovery, is seeking buyers for Decitre and the General Bookstore. Sally Rooney has been defended by nearly 160 personalities, including Annie Ernaux and J.M. Coetzee, against a ban on her books in the UK. Mariah Carey has escaped a 20 million dollar defamation lawsuit for her memoirs. Four U.S. Supreme Court judges withdrew from a case involving BMG due to conflicts of interest.

Historical and contemporary issues

Ferdinand Buisson's plea in favor of the League of Nations has been revisited in light of Emmanuel Macron's speech at the UN. Juna Liebrecht's novel about a Ukrainian and a Russian soldier has been abandoned by a German publisher after threats. Nearly 300 authors have sued Meta for using their works in AI training without permission. The Pérgamo bookstore in Madrid will close its historic location after 80 years due to lease issues. Youssef Badr, a magistrate and author, has been targeted by far-right magazine Frontières, prompting an investigation by the Paris prosecutor's office.

Legal and cultural developments

Penguin Random House is contesting restrictions on an investigative book about singer Gloria Trevi. Anne-Laure Béatrix has moved from the Louvre to the Clos Lucé in Amboise. A proposed law aims to share the burden of proof for originality in copyright cases. Éditions Libre is seeking to recover book stocks from Makassar's liquidation. Dis-moi tout, a publishing house specializing in "memory books," has been placed in judicial liquidation. Kana and Le Lombard have reorganized their commercial and marketing directions.

Controversies and social issues

Philippe de Villiers' book Résurrection: The Return of the Eternal France has sparked controversy, leading to the removal of its advertisements from public transport in Saint-Étienne and La Rochelle. Lee Child is supporting an initiative to provide 480,000 books to British prisons. Veronica Roth has reimagined the story of Tris from Divergent in La Sixième Faction, which has reached the second place in the Publishers Weekly bestseller list for young adult fiction. More than 400 writers and book professionals have signed an open letter against the suspension of Sally Rooney's books in the UK.

Literary success and attacks

Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin has sold more than 40,000 copies, signaling a growing interest in horror stories centered on transgender characters. Jean-Christophe Rufin, an academician and Goncourt Prize winner, was violently attacked in front of his home in Bourges. Oskar Éditeur has been reminded of its obligations to deposit digital files with the National Library of France. After the violence of October 17, bookstores in Paris, Grenoble, and Strasbourg have suffered from looting and vandalism.

Personal losses and community efforts

Henry Dougier, founder of Éditions Autrement, died at the age of 90. In Japan, post offices in Fukushima have started selling children's books to compensate for the disappearance of bookstores. Araba Maze's mobile library in Baltimore distributes free books to children in underserved neighborhoods. In Portugal, municipal libraries in Sintra have offered residents the opportunity to exchange pet food for books. The British Library has acquired 68 boxes of archives of Antonia Susan Byatt, illuminating the process of her novel writing.

Cultural programs and literary awards

The Cultural Pass, a flagship cultural initiative in France, is preparing for its future with a strategic plan for 2030. A slum in Australia, Lenora Thaker, has won a major literary prize for her novel The Pearl of Tagai Town, which brings back to life a community that disappeared from Queensland.