AGP Executive Report

Bookshop Openings: York’s Topping & Company is set to open June 5, turning a long-vacant Museum Street site into a major independent range bookseller. Library & Community Sales: Cartersville’s Bartow County Library System runs a Used Book & Media Sale June 6, with a specialty/collectibles table and a final-hour bag deal. Local Reading Culture: South Minneapolis’ Wild Rumpus Books spotlights how a “kitty cat bookstore” model keeps families coming back for decades. Anime & Light Novel Publishing: Square Enix Manga & Books’ Always a Catch! anime adds Kana Hanazawa as Zaira, while Crunchyroll streams The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter OVA episode 13. Literary Awards: New Yorker poetry editor Kevin Young wins the Griffin Poetry Prize for “Night Watch.” Publishing Business Watch: SpaceX targets a near-$1.77tn IPO valuation, while Sunshine Silver Mining and Celcuity price major offerings—signals of continued capital appetite that can ripple into publishing deals.

Publishing & Adaptations: Little, Brown and Company says Jacob Tierney’s hockey-romance adaptation “Heated Rivalry” is getting a behind-the-scenes book, “I’ll Believe in Anything,” out Oct. 13, with a foreword by Rachel Reid. Trade & Rights: Coolabi Group and Tencent Video are developing the authorized animated “Warrior Cats” series (based on “The Prophecies Begin”), aiming for a 2028 debut across China and Southeast Asia. New Releases: Literary Lights 2026 will feature Naira Kuzmich’s posthumous debut “Fearcatcher,” with a June 14 virtual event. Book-to-Screen: Lindsey Anderson Beer’s debut novel “Hollow to Putnam” has been sold to a Penguin Random House imprint, with Sydney Sweeney attached for a feature film. AI Policy: The UK’s CMA says publishers can opt out of having their content used to power AI features in Google Search, including AI Overviews. Local Library Impact: Poplarville Public Library’s Friends group wrapped its annual spring used book sale, while other community library events and sales continue to drive new shelf purchases.

Film & Archives Funding: Venezuela’s National Book Center (CENAL) opened its 2026 grants call, adding a new Cinematographic Research track to mark 60 years of the National Cinemateca’s preservation work, with five grants for projects on Venezuelan audiovisual heritage. Publishing-to-Screen Buzz: Lindsey Anderson Beer’s debut novel Hollow is being adapted into a feature film with Sydney Sweeney attached; Putnam fast-tracked the book for a Fall 2027 release. AI in Writing Under Fire: A Sydney academic’s opinion column urging students not to “cut corners” was removed after it was found to be AI-written using Copilot, reigniting debate over academic integrity and disclosure. Education Tech Disruption: India’s CBSE says its re-evaluation portal was hit by a major cyberattack, including a denial-of-service surge and unauthorized access attempts, even as submissions continued. Book Awards & Jewish Lit: The Sami Rohr Prize 2026 shortlist was announced, with finalists spanning memoir and history, and a June 16 winner date. Local Book Culture: A Colorado author launched a children’s book tour supporting The Lost Board, a surfboard adventure tied to themes of letting go and connection.

Major Deal: Wiley is buying UK publisher Emerald Publishing for £337m, a fresh consolidation move in academic and professional publishing. Rights & Editing Debate: Lee Child calls “offensive-passages” edits from earlier books “slightly Orwellian,” arguing novels are historical artefacts that shouldn’t be rewritten for today. Publishing Careers: Fitzcarraldo Editions hires Jennifer Tighe as operations director, signaling internal scaling. New Work to Watch: Audible is backing Russell Tovey’s debut novel Starlings as an Audible Original, with Andrew Scott and George MacKay starring. Book Industry Support: Malaysia’s PENA launches phase three of its MADANI publishing project, opening submissions across genres with RM1m funding. Author-Reader Process: Hay Festival’s Nibbies Salon spotlights how authors and editors collaborate, with Saara El-Arifi and Natasha Bardon. Book-to-Stage/Screen Buzz: The Karate Kid – The Musical announces UK tour casting, with book by Robert Mark Kamen. Tech & Content: Inkitt expands into AI-native action/sci-fi microdrama streaming app Inkitt Ironblood.

CBSE Class 12 Portal: After a delay tied to technical glitches and cybersecurity worries, CBSE has now launched the online verification of marks and re-evaluation portal, with students urged to follow the step-by-step process and check eligibility, deadlines, and fees. Literary Publishing & Adaptations: Netflix is moving ahead with a feature adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s bestseller The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, with Anna Kendrick set to direct. Community Reading & Book Fairs: Wisconsin’s Bookshop Quest 2026 kicks off with maps for readers to visit 35 independent bookstores across the state. New Book Releases: Spines publishes Mykle-Kane’s Loving the Impossible, a semi-autobiographical story blending faith, Black LGBTQ+ identity, and a legal-media thriller arc. Local Culture: A Truro library event pairs poetry, translation, and film, spotlighting ancient Greek texts through modern voices.

Warsaw IP Deal: Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi attended ERRA’s signing of a bilateral cooperation agreement with Poland’s KOPIPOL, aimed at strengthening reprographic rights and collective management as Sharjah’s Guest of Honour program continues at the Warsaw International Book Fair. Amazon Bestseller Spotlight: Shirley Rickett’s memoir/poetry collection Tales hit Amazon bestseller recognition, with readers drawn to its family, memory, and resilience storytelling. Ghibli Publishing News: Viz Media will release Studio Ghibli: Chronicles in English on Sept. 22, 2026, offering longtime producer Toshio Suzuki’s insider history of the studio. Book Rights & Speech Clash: Meta forced Facebook whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams to sit silently at the Hay Festival after a legal order blocked her from promoting her tell-all book. Children’s Publishing: Xulon Press announced Queen Bee’s Garden of Virtues by Kristin Dean, a character-building picture book for classrooms and bedtime reading. Pride Month Graphic Novel: Oni Press published Pink Monsters, a debut English edition from Claus Daniel Herrmann, following a teen artist navigating sexuality and family pressure.

Library Summer Reading: East Liverpool Carnegie Public Library opens registration for its Summer Reading Club, with weekly Wednesday family programs, trivia/coupon games, and reading-log rewards through July 31. Children’s Publishing & Taboo Topics: A Swedish children’s “How to” book on making a baby (including IVF, insemination, and adoption) faces bans and death threats abroad, while Norway embraces it—highlighting how publishing can collide with cultural and school standards. Celebrity Books & Media: Gail Crowther’s “Marilyn and Her Books” spotlights Monroe as a voracious reader, though a review says the analysis leans sentimental and oversimplified. Reading Tech Deals: Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft drops below AU$300 in Australia’s Mid-Year Sale, pushing color e-reading into more impulse-friendly territory. Print vs AI: Japan’s zine and self-publishing scene grows as creators use newspaper print presses in Kyoto, arguing paper can’t be replicated by AI. Comics for June: DC’s June lineup leans into new series, specials, and Pride-themed storytelling for readers heading into summer.

Book Fairs & Marketing: At the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair, Malaysian publishers say social media is now a core sales engine—helping readers discover authors and boosting new-title launches. Education Publishing: The Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books is bringing 500+ TVET titles to PBAKL 2026 and exploring Malay translations to widen access to practical, industry-linked training materials. Legal Pressure on Publishing: At the Hay Festival, author Sarah Wynn-Williams was effectively silenced after Meta’s legal action tied promotion of her book to an injunction—prompting a public “solidarity” moment on stage. International Publishing Diplomacy: Sharjah’s Guest of Honour push at the Warsaw International Book Fair included PublisHer’s women-in-publishing programme and cultural panels, while Arabic studies in Poland were highlighted through long-running academic ties. Human Stories in Books: A Canadian petition seeks an apology over forced adoptions in postwar Canada, with a new book spotlighting the lasting harm. Children’s & Community Publishing: A nine-year-old in Sartell celebrated his debut comic at a local signing, and Copenhagen’s “Human Library” model keeps “people as books” on loan for short, conversation-led sessions.

Guest-of-Honour Push: Sharjah is using the Warsaw International Book Fair to spotlight Emirati and Arab publishing, translation, and theatre, with officials crediting the emirate’s long-running cultural project for growing global reach. Translation Drive: Saudi Arabia, also at KLIBF 2026, says Malay-Arabic translation volumes are still below expectations and promises tighter work with Malaysian partners and the private sector. Reading Culture: Malaysia’s education minister unveiled a Women’s Reading Club and a “Reading City” vision, backed by a push for daily reading habits and preschool shared-reading programs. Legal/Publishing Dispute: The Hay Festival will withdraw Sarah Wynn-Williams’ Careless People from sale to avoid breaching an injunction tied to promotion. Tech & Security: Microsoft’s threat to pursue criminal charges over “Nightmare Eclipse” Windows zero-day disclosures sparked backlash from the security community. AI & Bias: A new study claims ChatGPT can rank states by perceived traits like “smarter” or “smelliest,” raising concerns about stereotyping. New Releases: Debut picture-book satire If You Give a Man-Baby Some Bronzer lands June 14, while Ani Retak’s self-help Breathe Wisely is now on Amazon.

Summer Reading Push: Bemis Public Library is rolling out “Unearth A Story” with family performances, teen reading logs, and prize-driven challenges aimed at keeping kids reading through the break. YA Publishing Moment: Fifteen-year-old Bethany Taylor’s debut YA murder mystery, When Friends Fall Silent, lands on Amazon June 19 after support from her English teacher and family. Literary Culture & Translation: A spotlight on translator Padma Viswanathan’s Booker International shortlist work highlights how translation opens global literature to English readers. Book-to-Screen Adaptation: Kodansha USA’s manga Hotaru’s Way is headed for a U.S. live-action series, with Angela Nissel and Sasha Leigh Henry writing. Publishing Industry Watch: The NYT Best Sellers list continues to track combined print and e-book momentum, with series-driven titles dominating this week’s rankings. Bookish Community Events: “Keep N.C. Weird” storytelling tours hit two Randolph libraries June 4, with author Liz Z Pardue bringing spooky local lore.

Warsaw Book Fair: Sharjah opened as the first-ever Arab Guest of Honour at the Warsaw International Book Fair, led by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, with a packed programme of panels, poetry and children’s workshops running through May 31. University Publishing: During the fair, Sheikha Bodour launched AUS Press, a new American University of Sharjah publishing arm focused on scholarship, translation and regional-to-global knowledge exchange. Indie Book Trade: The American Booksellers Association called 2025 a “banner year” for indie bookstores while warning 2026 remains tough, sharing membership and financial outlook at its annual meeting. Children’s Reading Momentum: Oakland University’s Public School Academies recognized 2026 contest winners, publishing student-made robot-themed books. Local Author Spotlight: A Toledo teacher’s horror collection, “Zombie Seagulls and 13 Other Spine-Chilling Tales,” is out from Mission Point Press. Publishing & Culture Events: A Cork performance pairs song with Harry Clarke’s stained-glass legacy, noting Clarke’s book-illustration roots. Community Reading: Oakland University also announced a free Faith in Detroit Summer Writing Workshop June 11–14.

Community Book Culture: Umatilla Public Library is hosting a May 31 watch party for George Takei’s graphic memoir “They Called Us Enemy,” tying into the West Coast-wide One Book, One Coast program with free livestreaming and digital copies via Libby/ComicsPlus. Publishing & Health Nonfiction: Hodder & Stoughton and Vermilion publish practical hormone guides aimed at improving menopause care and pushing back on misinformation and misdiagnosis. Local Literary Events: Berkeley’s Bay Area Book Festival returns May 29–31 with a “Writing the Future” theme, featuring independent publishers and mostly free programming. Book Industry Labor: Dark Horse Comics workers have formed a union after changes at the publisher. Book-to-Screen/Global Rights: Xinjiang writer Wang Meng’s short story collection “In Ili” is being adapted for film, with global translation and publication plans already approved. Used Books with a Mission: Virgil’s new used bookstore, Virgil’s Book Nook, opens June 13 to fund the Farmworker Hub.

Publishing & Books in the News: HarperCollins imprint William Morrow will publish Jason and Travis Kelce’s debut, No Dumb Questions: And All of Our Dumbest Answers, June 2, with a podcast-style Q&A format. LGBTQ+ Publishing: Interlink Publishing highlights new queer titles including Homosexual Intifada: A Queer Palestinian Anthology (June 2). Book Retail & Community: A guide spotlights 10 independent bookstores across the South, from Houston’s mystery hub Murder by the Book to Oxford, Mississippi’s Square Books. Libraries & Literacy Events: The Bay Area Book Festival returns to Berkeley May 29–31 with nearly 400 authors and a “Writing the Future” theme, while Australia’s National Simultaneous Storytime spotlights Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller. Education & Access: India’s CBSE exam row continues as Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan orders transparent fixes to the On Screen Marking System, and a Madhya Pradesh High Court refused to quash an FIR over a preschool’s alleged failure to disclose book prices online. Culture & Collectibles: Rare Marilyn Monroe photos and a Princess Diana “revenge dress” car are both headed to auction.

Publishing & Authorship Transparency: A new report argues AI-written and human-written online content is now roughly equal, reigniting debate over whether AI text detectors can reliably spot machine writing. Book-to-Film Rights: France’s $100M Louvre heist book, Main basse sur le Louvre, is being adapted for a film by director Romain Gavras, with rights sold before bookstore release. New Book Releases: HarperCollins publishes a children’s Heroes of 1776 co-authored by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, while Eriu releases Miriam Mulcahy’s Walking to the Foot of the Sky and Square Enix’s Manga UP! finishes Trapped as the Villain in My Favorite Dating SIM. Literary Events: Lit Youngstown spotlights poets Philip Brady and Jacqueline Marino; St. Martin Book Fair 2026 opens June 5 with a focus on island authors. Cultural Spotlight: A Budapest museum opens Apocalypse: Biblical Prophecies from Dürer to Béla Kondor, tracing Revelation imagery through major printmakers.

Publishing & Politics: Sally Rooney’s new work, Intermezzo, is set for a Hebrew release via Israeli publisher November Books, reigniting debate over whether the deal is “BDS-compliant” and what that means for authors, publishers, and readers. Book Trade & Sales: Canada’s biggest used-book event, Birchway Niagara’s sale at the Gale Centre (June 2–7), promises mostly $3 titles and community-funded proceeds. Local Publishing Wins: UP Visayas researchers and Panay Bukidnon IP partners won major recognition for Epics of Panay (Humadapnon… Book 8), with the project credited for elevating oral traditions into national literature. New Book Releases: Palmetto Publishing released Terry S. Earley’s coming-of-age Vietnam-era novel Enter the Ring. Libraries & Community: Buncombe County Public Libraries launched an online community archive preserving Leicester-area history through photos, scrapbooks, and oral histories. Poetry & Prizes: The 2026 CBC Poetry Prize jury panel was announced, with submissions open until June 1 and publication on CBC Books for winners. Book Culture in Media: Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie Season 2 adds Willa Dunn as Nellie Oleson, signaling a more layered take on the classic character. Book-to-Book Buying Tips: A guide explains how to read reviews to make better next-book choices.

New Book Spotlight: Bloomsbury’s Our Deadly Summer (Emer McLysaght & Sarah Breen) blends noughties nostalgia with a fast, funny millennial mystery—two timelines, a buried secret, and a friendship that snaps back into focus via an unexpected email. Author & Culture: Leïla Slimani talks craft and desire, using the Prado’s Goya darkness as fuel for her writing—while Sven Axelrad’s The Dogs of Vivo leans into literary noir with artists, sacrifice, and a devilish arrival. Publishing & Institutions: Princeton University Press marks a milestone for the Thoreau Edition with The Correspondence of Henry D. Thoreau: Volume 3: 1857–1862, expanding the record beyond the coffee-mug myth. Libraries on the Move: Rainier City Library launches a Business Resource Center; Moultonborough gears up for its July summer book sale. Community & Events: Pride programming ramps up across Northeast Ohio, and local author talks—like dementia memoir support—keep turning reading into real-world connection.