AGP Executive Report

Publishing & Culture: A new spotlight on Lewis Carroll’s Croft Rectory home traces how the future author’s wordplay and nonsense writing took shape in the village that shaped him. Language Politics: France is pushing to toughen Loi Toubon for the internet era, aiming to force more French in online advertising and product labeling—another attempt critics say will keep colliding with global English. Books & Community: In Singapore, editor Jason Wee’s SQ21 brings nine queer families’ stories to print with full picture spreads, after many profiles pulled out earlier over personal risk. Major Publishing Row: Penguin Random House India says it is “not the publisher” of Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging in India, rejecting claims it backed out over requested edits, as Congress and BJP trade accusations over freedom of expression and fact-checking. Industry & Tech: A bookseller warning and related coverage keep the focus on AI’s growing impact on books, from scanning to destruction, while libraries and publishers grapple with what comes next. Local Book Life: Aotearoa’s book trade honors longtime bookseller David Cameron with a lifetime achievement award, underscoring how much local shops still matter.

Publishing Controversy: Penguin Random House India says it will not publish Sonia Gandhi’s memoir “Belonging” in India, but insists the decision wasn’t because Gandhi rejected editorial changes—while the book’s Nov. 10 release date and the dispute over fact-checking and recommendations keep the story in the spotlight. Legal & Media: Trump updated his defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and Penguin Random House, adding more specific claims tied to a book and reporting about his business record. Book Industry Under Fire: Ukraine’s minister says Russian attacks on warehouses have burned over 10 million books, underscoring the physical risk to publishing supply chains. Global Book Culture: The Bayeux Tapestry’s London run gets a fresh ticket release, with peak-time pricing set for adults—another reminder that major cultural events still drive demand for “book-like” storytelling experiences. Local Books & Libraries: Rainier Library launches September library-card sign-ups and a veteran letter-writing week, plus author events tied to local reading culture. New Releases: Brandon Sanderson’s “Blightfall” shares an audio chapter 1 sneak peek ahead of its Sept. 1 release.

Sonia Gandhi Memoir Rights Clash: Penguin India has pulled out of publishing Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging after she rejected proposed editorial changes, with HarperCollins reportedly close to taking over the Indian edition and distribution ahead of a Nov. 10 release. Russia-Ukraine Book Supply Hits: A Russian strike damaged a warehouse holding Readeat and other publishers’ stock in Ukraine, disrupting shipments and adding to a growing list of book-industry losses from attacks. AI Meets Books (Google): Google launched “Expert Intelligence” in Gemini Notebook, letting users import eligible books they own from Play Books to generate study-style summaries and visuals. Publishing Labor Pressure: Oxford University Press faces UK union action after proposed redundancies and further offshoring plans, with Unite calling it job-risking “greed.” Community Reading Push: Springfield Public Schools’ 417 Reads literacy campaign, backed by Scholastic, is expanding classroom read-alouds with community mentors. Cultural Storytelling Book Launch: Qatar National Library and Wifaq highlighted a new family-storytelling book, Qissa Min Ghali, stressing intergenerational heritage through shared narratives.

Children’s Publishing & Politics: Otzma Yehudit is launching a children’s book, The Minister Who Didn’t Stop, at its Sept. 1 conference, aiming to distribute copies to students nationwide and spotlighting National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s record. Book-to-Screen: Amazon MGM has ordered Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, adapting Benjamin Stevenson’s bestselling mystery series with Penn Badgley starring and David Hemingson showrunning. Literary & Publishing Industry: T.J. English will publish Blood In The Desert: The T.J. English Reader on Sept. 1, alongside a new hardcover edition of his classic The Westies. Libraries & Literacy Programs: The Winding Rivers Library System will roll out the Dolly Parton Imagination Library across seven counties starting Jan. 4, 2027. Education & Culture: Michael Gove attacks Cambridge’s teacher-training approach as “toxic nonsense,” targeting a book called Rewilding Education. Publishing Heritage: Virginia and Leonard Woolf’s Hogarth Press gets its own exhibition in Sussex. AI & Publishing Business: Google’s AI Mode now lets US users book hotels and pay via Google Pay, with partners handling the transaction and customer service.

AI & Books: A Brisbane author’s copyright appeal against Disney over claims her self-published e-book inspired Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was rejected, with the court saying basic story ideas and themes aren’t enough for protection. Publishing & Policy: The Authors Guild is pushing for scrutiny of AI firms that scan and destroy books to train models, warning it could damage the literary ecosystem. Education Costs: Baylor students are finding ways around rising textbook prices via digital course materials, library reserves, and course platforms like Canvas and Follett Access. Faith & Grief: Sinai Temple rabbis and clinicians published Grieving a Child: A Companion Guide for Clergy, aiming to give clergy practical, Jewish-grounded support for bereaved families. Reading Habits (Italy): New ISTAT data shows many Italians still read and visit libraries, even as the “print is dead” narrative persists. Book Culture & Community: A Kurdish poetry collection by Hoshang Osi is set for release, and a new guide for clergy highlights how books are being used for real-world support. Local Book Life: A Tetbury comic art gallery is praised for helping neurodiverse learners, using comics to engage students.

Youth Reading & STEM Push: Sarawak officials say big, accessible book sales like Big Bad Wolf help families build English fluency and critical thinking, while warning that heavy screen habits can crowd out active reading. Local Literacy Services: Orillia’s literacy council rebrands as Orillia and District LifeSkills Connection, expanding free help from reading and forms to computer skills, money management, and job readiness. New Fiction Sparked by Science: Chloe Benjamin’s “Under Story” (Putnam, Sept. 1) draws on the Antarctic ANITA experiment and mirror-universe theories. Accessible Children’s Books: School nurse Charlotte Russell publishes the “Charlie MacDew” chapter-book series for ages 10–12, aimed at reluctant readers, including kids with dyslexia. Publishing & Awards: The Canadian Children’s Book Centre names finalists for 2026 awards, including Vancouver Island author Gregor Craigie for historical fiction for young people. Book Industry & AI Backlash: Multiple reports this week highlight growing pressure on AI firms over scanning and destroying books, with calls for federal scrutiny. Dolly Parton’s Literacy Legacy: Coverage continues on Parton’s Imagination Library, credited with distributing hundreds of millions of free books worldwide.

Solar IPO Watch: Avaada Electro filed an updated draft prospectus for a proposed INR 7,600-crore IPO, with INR 1,600 crore fresh equity and up to INR 6,000 crore via promoter offer for sale, plus plans to use fresh funds for debt and general corporate purposes. Holiday Music & Publishing Tie-In: Debbie Gibson announced “Winterlicious D’Luxe” for Oct. 22, with vinyl on Nov. 6 and a Las Vegas holiday run starting Dec. 17. Libraries Push Reading: Great Western Railway’s “Adventures in Reading” is placing Little Libraries at stations and adding short-story dispensers to keep kids reading during summer. AI vs Books: John Grisham warned at Edinburgh that AI-written books could undercut authors and publishers as book consumption declines. School Food Rules: Rajasthan’s High Court ordered bans on chips and fizzy drinks (and other HFSS items) in and near schools, alongside new nutrition and monitoring committees. Major Loss: Country icon Dolly Parton died at 80, with renewed attention on her Imagination Library’s impact on children’s reading. K-pop Charts: Stray Kids’ “THIS & THAT” topped the Billboard 200, highlighting sustained creative control and fan-driven momentum.

Publishing & Culture Diplomacy: An international forum in Tashkent is spotlighting how Islamic civilization’s history can be communicated through journalism, documentary filmmaking, publishing and digital tools, with major media partners including CNN and Euronews. AI & Rights: Creators are pushing back as AI firms seek to use voices and likenesses, raising fresh questions about what performers and authors can control. Local Libraries: The Western Pocono Community Library’s new Friends group used an ice-cream fundraiser to build community support and keep programs growing. Book-to-Community Momentum: Dolly Parton’s death at 80 is also a publishing story: her Imagination Library has mailed 1.7 million books in Central Minnesota since 2005. International Book Publishing: L’Harmattan has released a French translation of “A Qatari on the Banks of the Seine: Cultural Dialogue,” extending the book’s cross-cultural reach. New Releases (Games/Comics): Manga UP! Global added “If Witch, Then Which?” in English, and Tsugunohi’s latest horror entry launched on Steam.

Manga Publishing: Übel Blatt II will end in its next chapter, with a break starting next month and a final run in Monthly Big Gangan’s Oct. 23 issue; Yen Press has the English license. Manga Publishing: Fall in Love, You False Angels is going on hiatus for creator health and workload, returning in the Jan 2027 issue. Book & Culture: Westland will publish Sanjoy Hazarika’s Lal Thanhawla biography, Lal Thanhawla: The Boy from Zarkawt, with launches planned in Mizoram and New Delhi. AI & Writing: A fresh pushback against AI writing argues it weakens thought and writing skills, with writers urging people to avoid AI for school and work. Publishing Industry: Australia’s recorded-music industry says fully AI-generated tracks will be barred from official charts, while AI-assisted work may still qualify if humans wrote and performed key parts. Book Trade & Community: Lingham’s bookshop marks 11 years with author events, including John Cleese signing copies of Fawlty Towers Fawlts & All. Publishing Rights/Legal: Harvard Medical School agreed to a $53M settlement over body parts sold by a former morgue manager.

Publishing Policy: Moldova’s parliament voted to withdraw from a CIS treaty on book publishing, distribution, and printing, citing misalignment with national interests and a push toward EU culture programs. Legal/Publishing Industry: A Women’s Pro Baseball League board member is asking a Delaware court to force record release, alleging possible misuse of funds and conflicts tied to the league’s leadership. Comics & Publishing Releases: Bad Idea Comics’ November 2026 solicits include Matt Kindt and Juan José Ryp’s oversized spy thriller debut Retirement Plan #1. Royalty & Media: Princess of Wales Catherine wore a Diana-style “pie crust” collar blouse, another reminder of how fashion stories keep feeding publishing and media cycles. AI & Books: Multiple reports continue to press for action over claims that AI firms are scanning and destroying books to train models, with regulators and advocates in the spotlight. Books & Community: Everett, Washington and Everett, Massachusetts libraries are teaming up for an “East to West Book Club” spanning regional history reads. Book Culture Events: Cal State Fullerton hosted the fourth Philip K. Dick Festival, celebrating the author’s legacy through fan-made publishing and programming. Education Rights: UNICEF highlights Afghanistan’s ongoing ban on girls’ schooling beyond sixth grade, a direct hit to future reading and publishing pipelines.

School Health & Gear: Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health urged families to pick lightweight, padded, water-resistant backpacks and keep loads to 10–15% of body weight to avoid back and posture problems. Doctor Reading List: A new roundup spotlights 10 “every doctor should read” books, starting with Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air and Oliver Sacks’ The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. Publishing & Rights: A major debate is heating up around AI training on copyrighted books, with calls for stronger action as publishers and authors warn deals are being pulled over unproven AI claims. Children’s Literature & Access: North Macedonia’s translation cutbacks are limiting international reach for children’s books, while Cambodia’s veteran publisher Pich Proeng is credited with rebuilding children’s publishing after the Khmer Rouge. Book Industry Moves: David C Cook and Focus on the Family are combining publishing efforts, and Crossed Hearts is bringing new queer manga licenses to Anime NYC 2026. New Releases: Roopa Unnikrishnan’s The Jasmine Murders launches a global hardcover edition, and Marlon James’ The Disappearers gets fresh attention ahead of major prize talk.

AI & Books Under Pressure: A new study says 63% of religious titles on Amazon are likely AI-written, with witchcraft flagged highest (78%), raising fresh concerns about quality and trust. FTC vs AI Book Scanning: Civil society groups are pushing the FTC to sue AI firms over “buying and destroying” books to train models, as more reports claim physical titles are being hoarded or shredded. Retail Shake-Up: An award-winning NZ online bookseller, Bookety Book Book, is shutting its storefront after discount wars, pivoting to a recommendation hub. Comic Publishing Buzz: Dark Horse is reviving Vampire Hunter D with a new four-issue comic miniseries and an English translation of The Rose Princess. Big Screen Adaptations: Tom Hanks is reportedly in talks to star in a film adaptation of Allen Levi’s bestseller Theo of Golden (Simon & Schuster). Community Reading Events: Milagres College in Mangaluru launched a nine-day “Book Quest” exhibition and sale to keep books central for students.

AI & Books Under Fire: A major push is building for the FTC to investigate AI firms accused of scanning and destroying books to train models, with civil groups urging federal action. Publisher Deals & Manga Growth: Yen Press announced nine acquisitions at Anime NYC 2026, including new light novel additions to its Yen On lineup, plus more manga licenses. Reading for Health: New guidance highlights dementia risk reduction through modifiable factors, while another piece argues fiction can boost empathy and social understanding. School Textbook Debate: A letter campaign targets heavy schoolbooks and QR-code “single-use” content, reigniting calls to modernize learning materials. Local Publishing & Fairs: The 23rd Ghana International Book Fair is set for Aug. 27–30, aiming to connect publishers, authors, and readers under a “Transforming Ghana’s Future Through Books” theme. Book Community Moments: Amazon Literary Partnership named 2026 grant recipients, backing youth writing, residencies, and literary magazines.

AI vs Books: Civil society groups have urged the FTC to investigate AI firms accused of buying and destroying physical books to train models, including claims tied to “Project Panama” and internal plans to scan and shred large collections. Publishing & Policy: The push adds to a growing regulatory fight over how training data is sourced and whether the practice harms competition and public access to books. Streaming Adaptations: Apple TV’s Dark Matter, based on Blake Crouch’s novel, is climbing streaming charts ahead of Season 2 (Aug. 28), showing continued demand for book-to-screen sci-fi. Kids & Literacy: Local papers and libraries are leaning into print for focus and vocabulary, with new kid-focused pages and library card promotion efforts highlighting reading habits. Book Fairs: Iraqi Kurdistan’s Kurdish Book Fair in Al-Sulaymaniyah was extended to Aug. 25 after strong sales (30,000+ books in 10 days) and participation from dozens of publishers.

USPS Shipping Costs: Small businesses in rural areas say USPS parcel price hikes are squeezing margins, with some owners even planning to close by February as “nickels and dimes” add up. Book Publishing & AI: A growing push for federal scrutiny targets AI firms accused of hoarding and destroying books to train models, reigniting fears about how publishing gets reshaped by machine learning. Library Access: September’s Library Card Sign-up Month spotlights how libraries expand reading through free cards, e-resources, and easy online access. New Releases (Anime): Yen Press announced multiple new acquisitions and audiobook additions tied to Anime NYC, including new Yen Audio titles. Fall Reading Picks: AP rounds up what’s likely to sell this fall, with fiction expected to lead and major memoirs and political nonfiction queued for release. Local Book Culture: A new Solent wildlife title, The Brent Goose, aims to document migration and conservation concerns while also feeding a children’s goose-fiction series. Faith & Devotion: Coffee with Jesus is positioned as a practical, Scripture-based reflection collection with proceeds supporting ministry in Mozambique.

Publishing & IP Deals: Peacock has named Chris Yost and Eric Heisserer co-showrunners for the straight-to-series adaptation of Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl, continuing the book-to-screen push. Literary Charts: Keigo Higashino’s posthumous Eien no Kioku debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Japan’s Book Hot 100, setting a new high for weekly points. Author/Publisher Business: University of Arkansas Press released an updated second edition of The Amphibians and Reptiles of Arkansas, coauthored by Dr. Chris McAllister and others. Book Industry & AI: Multiple reports highlight how AI is driving demand for scanned books and raising alarms about publishers and booksellers being pressured or harmed by the practice. Community & Access: Harvard agreed to a $53m settlement over stolen donated human remains, a reminder of how trust and handling matter in research publishing ecosystems. Events: Decatur Book Festival announced its 2026 lineup with more than 80 authors for Oct. 2–3.