AGP Executive Report

Independent Book Retail: For the Love of Romance opened in Newmarket and says its first month is “really good,” with romance-focused merch and fast-selling shelves drawing steady crowds. Grief Publishing Milestone: Widowed father Jesse Kuhn’s Always Here Grief Companion Series is nearing 6,000 copies sold, with seven targeted titles for different kinds of loss. New Releases & Deals: Head of Zeus snapped up Lucy Holland for two historical fantasy novels; Tor Bramble acquired Grace Draven’s new trilogy plus companion; and NJ Ayuk’s Crude Oil: Power, Turnaround and Transformation in Angola hit Amazon’s Top 3 on launch. Industry Labor & Access: Hachette Book Group employees voted to unionise in the US, while HarperCollins UK opened the Marlborough Story House in Southwark to put children’s books in local hands. Libraries Under Pressure: Orillia’s library warns e-books cost about three times physical books due to licensing rules, complicating collection building. Controversy & Culture: Texas’ Bible curriculum push is framed as a constitutional line-crossing over mandated translations and testing. Horror Buzz: Evil Dead Burn lands as a brutally gory sixth entry, with critics split on whether the franchise’s humor has fully vanished.

Saudi Tourism & Publishing Tie-In: flynas and the Saudi Tourism Authority launched “Saudi Experiences,” a digital marketplace for booking 150+ activities across 15+ destinations, aiming to boost local tourism businesses. Labor & Policy: Sen. Chris Murphy introduced a federal minimum wage hike bill to $25 over 12 years, framing it as a response to automation and AI-driven job displacement. Book Culture & Community: A Kansas City church history “coffee table” book is back in print after demand, while an East London Advertiser reporter won a true crime book award for “A Spy in the Family.” Publishing, Media & Adaptations: Channel 4 is filming “Army of Shadows” in a village set as “American-occupied Britain,” based on Joseph Kessel’s book and film. Controversy & Censorship: Jammu & Kashmir officials were suspended and books pulled over claims of “separatist” content, with police filing FIRs and ordering probes. Global History Publishing: China Daily reports release of “Black Box 731,” documenting Unit 731 war crimes with new historical photographs. Tourism Visa Tech: Saudi Arabia rolled out “Package Visa,” letting travelers book flights, hotels, and an e-tourist visa in one digital process.

Publishing & Rights: Sycamore Studios snapped up animated movie rights to John Patrick Green’s InvestiGators franchise, betting on its 5M-copy print run since 2020. Book-to-Screen: Apple TV ordered Guilty Creatures, a thriller series based on Mikita Brottman’s true-crime book, starring Julia Garner and directed by Craig Gillespie. Community Reading: Toronto author Alexander Burton donated 48 queer-belonging books to six Niagara libraries for Pride. Early Literacy: St. Charles Parish hit a milestone with 250,000 free Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library books delivered to kids ages 0–5. Children’s Publishing: Penguin Random House Audio will release the first Bluey audiobook collection, narrated by Miranda Tapsell, on Sept. 1, 2026. Awards & Industry Buzz: Manhattan Book Group announced Gold for Anthem Lightner And The Realm of the Fount in the 2026 Manhattan Book Awards. RPG & Genre: Modiphius announced Star Trek Adventures RPG 2E: Allies and Adversaries Sourcebook shipping in August 2026. Controversy & Censorship: Jammu and Kashmir officials reviewed actions over alleged anti-national/separatist literature in schools and libraries, warning of legal consequences.

New Releases & Author News: Malik DeBracey III has launched Velvet Shadows: The Bloodline Trilogy (Book One), a character-driven crime drama set between Oakland and Los Angeles, with themes of power, identity, and survival. Children’s Books: Heather Donovan released Gustav’s Musical World, a picture book that teaches note recognition via a story-led treble clef guide. Publishing & Industry: Campbell Clinic physicians published the 15th edition of Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics, a major surgical textbook updated with new techniques and digital learning resources. Literary Culture: Sara Baume’s Opening Night arrives as a memoir that blends her earlier obsessions with art, friendship, and creative process. Books & Freedom: Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee, seized by Chinese authorities in 2015, has died in Taiwan, underscoring the risks around independent reading. AI & Research: A new report warns generative AI diet plans are often nutritionally off for adolescents, and another piece questions how AI use in academic work should be treated. Controversy in Schools/Platforms: In India’s J&K, authorities moved against books alleged to glorify separatists/terror figures, while India’s government ordered OTT platform ZEE5 to take down the film Satluj over “security concerns.” Adaptations & Creator Pushback: Tomi Adeyemi says she won’t watch the upcoming Children of Blood and Bone film, distancing herself amid reported behind-the-scenes tensions.

Publishing & Community Access: RYA Book Bank is offering free textbooks for college students, with applications due July 20. New Releases & Author News: Willie Nelson’s patriotism-themed “Letters to America” lands June 29 via Harper Horizon; local novelist Steve Dudrow’s “Sandcastle Windows” is out now on Amazon; Cherokee Nation citizens Jen Loren and Rebecca Lee Kunz are pre-selling “Ruth Muskrat and the So-Called Indian Problem,” releasing Oct. 6. Education & Standards: Ghana’s NaCCA warns publishers to stop using its logo on unapproved learner materials or face legal action. Industry & Rights: Over 100 authors sue Anthropic for allegedly training AI on pirated books, seeking $75M+ in damages. Comics & Screen Tie-Ins: “Judge Dredd/Biker Mice From Mars” is set for a 2026 Oni Press/Rebellion run; “X-Men ’97” Season 2 drops new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+. Crypto & Market Watch: Mt. Gox repayments begin via registered custodians, a fresh supply event traders are watching closely.

Publishing & Community: Wild Meadows Cafe and Books opened in Williston, Vermont, a general-interest bookstore with a cafe and local artwork, aiming to bring readers back to physical shelves. Literary Milestones: Pamplona marked the 100th anniversary of Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, while a Bedford County-linked author, Ellen Prentiss Campbell, promoted her new historical novel Vanishing Point. Book Pricing Pressure: A new commentary argues books are getting too expensive, pointing to rising hardcover costs and consumer sticker shock. Legal & Censorship: South Africa’s Madlanga Commission faced fresh questions over why Carnilinx CEO Adriano Mazzotti was never prosecuted despite alleged admissions; in India, the Madras High Court said a historical reference to a 1967 Tamil nation demand isn’t automatically sedition. Education Textbook Scrutiny: Odisha’s OPF formed a panel to probe alleged errors in SCERT textbooks, while Jammu & Kashmir officials suspended over “separatist” content in school books. New Releases: Tom King’s Jughead: Piemageddon gets an exclusive preview, and Image Comics’ DIE: Loaded #7 launches a new arc.

Jammu & Kashmir Textbook Crackdown: India’s J&K government has withdrawn school library books accused of “glorifying” separatists and militants, suspended eight education officials, and triggered police action including an FIR under UAPA/BNS—sparking a wider political fight over what belongs in classrooms. Supreme Court Religious Rights: The US Supreme Court agreed to hear an Orthodox Jewish man’s case after local authorities barred him from hosting home prayer gatherings, with zoning and harassment claims at the center. China Community Work Book: Central Party Literature Press published a new compilation of Xi Jinping excerpts on community-level governance, drawing from decades of speeches and directives. Disability Representation Launch: A Nashville-based photographer and Janesville native is releasing two self-published books aimed at changing how children and adults view disability through portraits and everyday strengths. AI & Copyright Lawsuit: Over 100 authors sued Anthropic, alleging AI training theft, as creator-rights pressure keeps rising. Publishing & Tech How-To: New titles include The Deployed Data Scientist (MLOps in practice) and a bilingual Zimbabwe language learning book bridging Ndebele and Shona. Book-to-Screen Tensions: Tomi Adeyemi says she won’t watch Paramount’s Children of Blood and Bone adaptation, calling the experience painful. Prize for Oct. 7 Memoir: Israeli author Amir Tibon won the Sami Rohr Prize for The Gates of Gaza, honoring his nonfiction account of Oct. 7 and its aftermath.

Jammu & Kashmir Book Crackdown: The J&K government has recalled and withdrawn school library titles accused of “glorifying separatist leaders” and “convicted terrorists,” suspending eight officials and launching a probe after backlash over books supplied under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. AI & Authorship Clash: Over 100 authors have sued Anthropic for $75M, alleging AI training copyright theft, as the debate over reading, writing, and machine learning keeps heating up. Author vs Adaptation: YA hit Children of Blood & Bone author Tomi Adeyemi says she won’t watch the film adaptation, calling the experience “painful” while fans react to casting and messaging. New Releases & Media Buzz: Lionsgate released a Hunger Games prequel BTS featurette on Haymitch ahead of Sunrise on the Reaping (Nov 20, 2026), while Prime Video’s Philip K. Dick adaptation coverage continues to spotlight how books translate to screen. Literary Culture & Events: Murakami says his novels are “completely different” from AI literature as a new book lands in Japan, and a Nepali poetry tour wrapped in Cambridge with plans to publish a collected volume.

Censorship Crackdown (J&K Education): Jammu and Kashmir suspended eight school officials and ordered a probe after two Samagra Shiksha library books were pulled for “highly inappropriate” separatism-related content, with authors and publishers blacklisted from further work in the territory. Local Publishing & Community Reading: Shreve Memorial Library narrowed its One Book One Parish picks to three titles—Shannon Terry Wiley’s “Yellow September,” Allen Levi’s “Theo of Golden,” and Tayari Jones’ “Kin”—as it prepares a parish-wide discussion. Indie Book Launches: Atlanta author duo Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores announced “Perfect Life” (out July 7) following “Happy Wife,” with a launch event set for July 8. Route 66 Shelf News: UNM Press released a revised Route 66 Centennial edition of “Hip to the Trip,” while University of Oklahoma Press spotlighted seven Route 66 titles for the 100th anniversary. Summer Reading Picks: A curated list highlights “hidden gems” worth reading beyond bestseller churn, including art and nonfiction standouts. Book-to-Screen/Pop Culture: Reviews and coverage continue around DC’s “Supergirl” and other entertainment tie-ins, keeping comics and adaptations in the publishing conversation.

Tax & Repatriation: Türkiye set a July 31, 2027 deadline for “asset peace” notifications, with a 5% advance tax collected by banks and brokerages and possible reduced rates for certain pledged accounts. Publishing & Design: Indian book cover designer Bena Sareen won Oxford Bookstore’s Book Cover Prize for Amitava Kumar’s My Beloved Life, discussing how tactile covers must also work as screen thumbnails amid AI pressure. Local Books & Community: Marlborough’s Big Town Read will distribute Kit de Waal’s The Best of Everything via library orders and free café copies, while Wantage CE Primary opened a new Reading Shed with children’s author Camilla Reid. Literary Culture & Reviews: Alice Oseman shared her favorite graphic novels, and reviews highlighted works from Nuala O’Faolain’s Are You Somebody? to David Thomson’s A Sudden Flicker of Light. Education & Reading Access: South Kingstown’s debut YA fantasy Sera, Lily & The Fox Prince leans into friendship and “choose goodness,” and a school reading shed aims to keep books available all day and at home.

Press Freedom & Accountability: Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan told Organiser Weekly on its 80th Foundation Day that democracy depends on courageous, responsible journalism, recalling the paper’s 1949 censorship fight. Public Services & Identity: Nagaland opened its first Aadhaar Seva Kendra in Dimapur, aiming to boost enrolment and mandatory biometric updates for children. Illustration Industry: UAE illustrator Abdulla Alsharhan was named to the Professional Jury for the Beijing International Book Fair Illustrations Awards, underscoring the region’s growing publishing footprint. War & Books: Ukraine’s BookChef Publishing said a Russian strike destroyed about 800,000 books stored in a Kyiv-area warehouse. Library & Community Reading: Hanford Library’s “Chapter Chat” book club continues to grow, adding a playful “duck” tradition for discussion flow. Children’s Reading Push: Universal Music Group UK and The Reading Agency opened sign-ups for the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, themed “Read To The Beat.” Book-to-Screen Buzz: Netflix’s “Shadow and Bone” is revisited as a standout book adaptation that still struggled to sustain momentum.

Children’s Literature: Philosopher-author Neera K. Badhwar’s new picture book, Kali the Elephant Learns from Socrates the Philosopher, turns teasing into a lesson on self-confidence, resilience, and using humor to respond. Historical Fiction: Hancock County author Eddie Price released his fourth historical novel, The Crucible of Wrath, a “standalone sequel” set in colonial Maryland and centered on moral fallout and empathy. Major Author Release (Japan): Haruki Murakami’s The Tale of Kaho hits Japan with a 250,000-copy first print run and e-book release, marking his first full-length novel in three years and his first lone-woman protagonist. Publishing & Rights (Hong Kong/Taiwan): Lam Wing-kee, the Causeway Books bookseller seized by Chinese authorities in 2015, has died in Taiwan at 70. Book Industry (Comics/BL): BluPetal expands its English-language manga footprint, announcing new Animate International licensing/agent plans plus additional BL titles and a forthcoming subscription platform. Book Culture (US): A new illustrated Declaration/Emancipation Illustrated pairs major American texts with comic and animation characters. International Publishing/Politics: RSF urges Sweden to press for jailed publisher Gui Minhai’s release during a high-profile visit by China’s foreign minister.

Publishing & Culture: The Jiangsu Book Fair opened in Suzhou with 400+ publishing groups, 150+ reading events, and an online showcase of 200,000 titles, with a strong push on youth reading and family-friendly programming. Book Deals: Hodderscape signed Jamie Cass to a three-book deal for debut dark academia novel Starfall. Local Author Events: Left Bank Books in Belfast hosts Marilyn Rockefeller and Susan Conley in conversation for Rockefeller’s essay collection Time is the Substance. Children’s Reading: Kevin Hawkes visits Whitefield Library for the “Read the Maine Outdoors” summer program, reading and illustrating for kids. Religion & History in Print: A review highlights Thomas Kidd’s God of Liberty as a timely look at Christianity’s role in the American Revolution. War’s Toll on Books: Reports say Russia’s overnight attack on Kyiv destroyed about 800,000 books from BookChef. AI & Books: Cory Doctorow’s The Reverse Centaur’s Guide to Life After AI tops Canadian non-fiction charts with a warning about an AI bubble. Library Policy: Rhode Island joins a multistate push to rein in e-book licensing costs for libraries.

Publishing & Faith-Based Media: “Young Washington” is framed as a modern faith-based patriotic action blockbuster aimed at theologically conservative men, signaling a shift in what evangelical audiences want on screen. AI & Workflows: A New Zealand reporter’s two-month AI reporting project says the tech is less a job-killer and more a tool that can speed tasks and reshape daily work—after plenty of early missteps. Real Estate & Consumer Pressure: Barfoot & Thompson reports June sales up slightly, but median and average prices fell, with stock at an 18-year high—an affordability squeeze that will ripple into local publishing and libraries. Tax, Oligarchy, and Power: Jeffrey Winters’ “The Blind Spot” argues democracies are structured to enable oligarchy, with a fast-moving look at tax dodging and the people who facilitate it. Children’s Books & Community: New picture-book and poetry releases keep landing—like Glenn Moore’s animal-imagination collection “I Dreamt I Was”—while local events and signings push reading habits. Book Culture & Rights: The Freedom to Publish prize spotlight includes a high-stakes legal fight involving META and a whistleblower’s gag order, underscoring publishing’s collision with platform power. Sports Meets Storytelling: Football and sports coverage continues to drive book-adjacent attention, from World Cup narratives to a rugby league history book uncovering a missing trophy and a smallpox scandal.

EV & Climate Policy: A new report argues thermal management—not “AI-defined cars”—will decide winter EV usability, as heat loads and a 2029 refrigerant ban (R134a, GWP>150) compress the industry’s timeline for smarter control. Publishing & Reading Access: Malaysia’s RM100 MADANI Book Voucher Programme 2026 is rolling out to help secondary students buy exam references and keep reading culture alive. Community Literacy: Rowan County’s Salisbury Greenway Story Walk opens July 7, placing rotating pages of children’s books along a walking trail for free, year-round family reading. Rights & Industry Deals: emaqi Premium launches in the US/Canada with licensed manga access (400+ series, 2,000+ volumes) via a $6.99 monthly subscription. Book Trade & Retail: Oxford gets a new dedicated romantasy shop, Bad Girl Books, stocking around 2,000 titles and planning author visits. Book Releases (Spotlight): Frank Baillargeon’s historical fiction “Ambitions” returns John and Susannah Morrissey to the spotlight, while Dennis J. Ackman’s “Patterns: Cycles. Building Life.” offers a faith-based addiction recovery testimony.

AI Copyright Clash: Australian authors and artists say big tech is “scraping” their books to train AI without permission, calling it copyright crime and urging payment/consent. Royal Reading Room Backlash: Queen Camilla’s photo with JK Rowling at the Palace of Holyroodhouse sparked fury in comments tied to Rowling’s past remarks about trans people. Publishing & Rights in Court: A judge ruled a memoir by Tupac Shakur murder suspect Duane “Keffe D” Davis is admissible in his trial, keeping the book in the spotlight. Book Community & Events: Wellington’s Matariki Ahi Kā waterfront celebration (fire, projections, storytelling and kai) spotlights intergenerational stories, while Hungerford Bookshop’s Summer Celebration lines up author talks and readings. Local Book Culture: Tulsa’s new Palomino Books & Music opens with a focus on Indigenous authors and bilingual titles, and a North Carolina library brings back its North Carolina Reads statewide book club for fall. New Titles in Focus: “Enola Holmes 3” reviews and a spotlight on Liza Minnelli’s memoir “Kids, Wait Till You Hear This” add major mainstream reading buzz.