Acquisition of Marie Romaine

In January 2026, ediSens, an independent publishing house founded in 2016 by Philippe Laurent, acquired the editions of Marie Romaine. The acquisition followed financial difficulties faced by Marie Romaine since September 2025, as it sought a new owner.

Expansion into fiction

The acquisition allows ediSens to enter the field of fiction with the brand "A certain reflection of the world." This brand will publish texts from "literature of the real," which blends fiction, historical narrative, and reconstruction.

Retention of identity

Marie Romaine retains her name and identity, maintaining an editorial advisory role. She continues to receive manuscripts and exchange with the new owner about potential texts for the catalog.

First publication under new brand

The first publication under this brand, Monsieur Sucre, L'aventurier du cinéma La Pagode de Pierre Collier, was released on October 6. It recounts the history of La Pagode, a Parisian ballroom that became an art and essay cinema.

Upcoming titles

Upcoming titles include UMOJA, Du sanctuaire des femmes au tumulte des hommes by Christophe de Sagazan, expected on December 8, and Frank Ghery, Le Rêveur de Bilbao by Dominique Memmi. The books are distributed and sold by Pollen, as are those of ediSens.

Launch of "Essay" collection

In the same expansion effort, ediSens launched a "Essay" collection in September 2025. The collection aims to popularize science and move away from an overly academic approach.

Titles in the "Essay" collection

The collection includes titles such as And if it wasn't the climate? Biodiversity and the fight to change the world by Frédéric Gruet and Degrowth - From Societal Utopia to the (Re)Construction of a Common World by Serge Latouche, published in December 2025. A fourth book, announced for February 2026, will focus on the effects of plastics on health.

Production and distribution

The production remains deliberately limited, with a maximum of four essays per year and initial print runs between 1,000 and 1,500 copies. The manufacturing process emphasizes the elimination of lamination and the use of labeled papers, even if it means slightly higher costs.

Operational structure

The house operates with a small team, largely composed of independent contractors, particularly for communication, proofreading, and layout. Its leader sets a limit of twelve books per year.

Future goals

With the "Essay" collection and the acquisition of Marie Romaine, the house now seeks to consolidate its visibility in bookstores without abandoning its guiding principle: to circulate ideas and illuminate contemporary challenges.