AGP Executive Report

Legal Fight in Publishing: Piers Morgan is pressing ahead with a lawsuit against Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, after Spencer apologized for one factual error in his memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister—but Morgan says the “bullst” claims still warrant legal action and even calls for remaining copies to be pulped. **Book Industry & Rights: A new wave of reporting spotlights publishers’ growing alarm over AI training, including claims that Microsoft/OpenAI executives viewed copyrighted training as “the largest theft of labor,” feeding into the ongoing New York Times v. OpenAI copyright fight. Major Book Launches: Taschen and the Los Angeles Lakers unveiled Lakers: An Official History of the Purple & Gold, a 528-page coffee-table volume packed with franchise archives and essays from major Lakers figures. Children’s Publishing: Scholastic Graphix marks Dog Man’s 10th anniversary with Dog Man: A Sprinkle in Time and a 2027 slate of new interactive “Dog Man Dynamite” releases. Global Publishing Events: The Booker Prize shortlist is out, while manga adaptations and new novels—from Nigeria’s Ohanaeze at 50 launch to India’s Pootakoollavva debut—show publishing momentum across regions.

Royal Memoir Legal Fallout: Earl Spencer apologised to Piers Morgan over an error in his Diana memoir, but Morgan says he’ll still sue Spencer and Penguin over “fabricated inaccuracies,” keeping the dispute front and center as the book hits shelves. Royal Culture & Publishing: The controversy is already spilling into broader debate about the monarchy, with Spencer’s claims about the funeral and press intrusion drawing fresh attention. TV Adaptation Buzz: Anthony Horowitz’s Marble Hall Murders heads to BBC One as a six-part Susan Ryeland series, reuniting Lesley Manville and Tim McMullan. Children’s Publishing Spotlight: Chad Ritchey’s I’m Sooo Bored! What Should I Do? turns screen-time frustration into a playful guide for ages 3–7. Book Trade & Community: Colombo’s book fair gets an eco push—CEA urges shoppers to bring reusable bags. Local Book Retail: A new Christian bookstore opens in Springfield, Illinois, tied to a nonprofit mission. New Releases & Deals: Doubleday publishes Benjamin Moser’s Anti-Zionism: A Jewish History; and Insight Editions launches Bookcessories, tiny Disney/Star Wars collectible books.

Publishing & Politics: Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor’s End Times Fascism returns to “disaster capitalism,” arguing the ultra-rich can benefit from crises while insulating themselves from climate fallout. Memoir & Legal Threats: British broadcaster Piers Morgan says he’ll sue Princess Diana’s brother Earl Spencer and his publishers over “demonstrable lies” in Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, as Spencer’s claims spark fresh Palace pushback. Publishing Data & Industry Tools: The Official Charts Company launches Official Charts PRO, opening its sales and streaming intelligence to clients including book publishers. AI, Courts & Copyright: Atlantic Canadian judges warn AI filings and deepfakes could strain accuracy and privacy; meanwhile, a court filing alleges OpenAI and Microsoft staff privately admitted AI training is effectively “theft of labor,” raising new pressure on publishers. Books & Culture: Arnold Schwarzenegger announces Better Every Day (Penguin Press); French manga powerhouse Kana founder Yves Schlirf dies; and Ukraine’s book industry faces collapse after strikes destroy warehouses. New Releases: Michael Koryta’s Die Famous spotlights Indiana gangster Al Brady; and a full-cast audio push for Sapkowski’s The Witcher expands across 2026–27.

UAE Reading Milestone: Abu Dhabi’s Kalima Reading Club drew readers from 69 countries to a Guinness World Record session at Zayed National Museum, discussing Ruqayya Yasmine Khan’s Bedouin and Abbasid Cultural Identities. Ukraine Publishing Under Fire: A new report details how Russian strikes and long-running censorship tactics are destroying Ukrainian books and threatening the country’s literary future. Royal Memoir Fallout: Earl Spencer’s upcoming Diana memoir Swan Song keeps roiling the UK, with fresh claims about King Charles and a Palace pushback. New Memoirs on the Shelf: Michelle Zauner (Japanese Breakfast) announced her second memoir Thank You For Your Suffering for April 27, 2027, while journalist Saeed Naqvi’s six-decade reporting memoir lands Sept. 29. Book Trade Events: Turkey’s 10th Diyarbakır Book Fair kicks off Sept. 26, and China’s Beijing Book Fair draws crowds with hundreds of publishers and rare imperial materials. Publishing Industry Watch: Ukraine’s Culture Ministry launches fundraising to help publishers hit by attacks, and Georgia’s new history textbooks spark controversy over how Russia is portrayed.

Royal Memoir Fallout: Earl Spencer says media treatment of Harry and Meghan “echoes” what happened to Diana, sparking backlash as Buckingham Palace responds to the “forget her soon enough” claim. Publishing & Representation: A new Toronto bookstore, Sick Stories, opens in a gallery space with disability-led titles and authors, aiming to fix a long-missing shelf. Global Book Trade: Sharjah’s Booksellers Conference wraps with 912 participants from 99 countries, adding publisher–bookseller meetings and more first-time attendees. Afghan Women’s Rights: Hachette India’s The Vanishing Girl of Kabul revisits Taliban-era oppression and the post-2021 crackdown on girls’ education. Copyright vs AI: Court filings in major AI copyright cases cite publishers’ claims that companies knew training on published text could be “theft,” challenging “fair use” arguments. Health Reading Incentive: Singapore launches a program paying citizens for verified physical-book reading hours. Book Market Watch: Delhi’s LG releases a pricey Golden Temple picture book and urges publishers to lower costs for wider access. Comics Spotlight: A look back at Animal Man #26 frames Grant Morrison’s 1990s-era turning point.

Sharjah Booksellers Conference: Sharjah Book Authority’s 5th edition wrapped with 912 participants from 99 countries, including first-timers from Zambia, Peru, Portugal and Costa Rica, plus 20+ workshops in Arabic, French and English and a new publisher–bookseller meeting program aimed at getting titles onto shelves. Publishing policy pressure (Kenya): The Kenya Publishers Association urged the government to release accurate Grade 11 enrolment data and clear Sh7bn in pending bills so publishers can plan print runs and avoid shortages. AI and copyright fight: Court filings in consolidated cases against OpenAI and Microsoft cite publishers’ claims that AI firms knowingly used massive amounts of published text, potentially weakening “fair use” arguments. UK publishing fallout: HarperCollins said it will phase out David Walliams’s back catalogue after “inappropriate conduct” allegations, ending new representation. Royal memoir media storm: Earl Spencer renewed claims about King Charles and the press’s “cancerous influence” on Diana and the Sussexes, as Buckingham Palace pushed back. Crime-writing pipeline: Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect highlighted debut authors, with Caroline Grebbel winning for The Songs of the Trojan Mothers. Local booksellers rebound (US): In the Philly area, store owners report sales growth and renewed foot traffic tied to community pullback from doomscrolling.

Sharjah Booksellers Conference: Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi opened the 5th Sharjah event with 912 booksellers, publishers and distributors from 99 countries, focusing on getting books to readers via inventory, e-commerce, digital marketing and demand analysis. Royal memoir row: Queen Camilla urged “togetherness” at her festival as Buckingham Palace and Earl Spencer trade barbs over his Diana memoir claims, with Spencer insisting he’s “telling the truth.” Fiction & publishing culture: October sci-fi highlights include Veronica Roth’s The Sixth Faction and Audrey Niffenegger’s Her Life Out of Order, alongside new releases from Becky Chambers, Claire North and Annalee Newitz. Comics business: Marvel’s Avengers Armageddon #4 reportedly fully integrates Miracleman into the Marvel Universe, while DNX tops a comics bestseller list ahead of major DC and Marvel launches. Literary awards: B.C. and Yukon Book Prizes crowned Vancouver writers Maria Reva and Julian Brave Noisecat among top winners. Native voices: Leonard Peltier’s Q&A looks at life after prison, his art, and a message to Native youth. Local book life: A Hartville pastor’s second book, Quiet Time, explores the history and practice of personal Bible study.

Royal Publishing Row: Queen Camilla urged “go together” amid Earl Spencer’s escalating claims about King Charles in his Diana memoir, a dispute that’s now spilling into publishing and public debate. Debut Novel Pipeline: Ireland’s Writer’s Centre brought 12 debut-novel winners to Pitch Day to pitch directly to agents, highlighting how competitions can cut through the query bottleneck. Talmud Translation Spotlight: Clelia Piperno’s work on translating the Babylonian Talmud continues to expand access to a massive, centuries-old legal and spiritual text. Copyright & AI at Book Fairs: As the Nairobi International Book Fair opens, organizers and publishers are bracing for fresh questions around AI and copyright. Audiobook Pay Pressure (Netherlands): A survey finds 42% of Dutch authors and translators earn nothing from commercial audiobook platforms, renewing calls for clearer deals. HarperCollins Backlist Fallout: HarperCollins dropped David Walliams’ back catalogue after harassment allegations, adding another major case to the industry’s accountability reckoning. Genre Franchise Momentum: Dungeon Crawler Carl’s next era is set with a Peacock live-action series and continued expansion beyond books. New Middle-Grade Mystery: C.A. Hartnell’s UFO February launches a 1956 kids’ mystery rooted in real mid-century sci-fi movie culture. Legal Literacy Release (India): NyayaSpandana, an edited volume on legal awareness and access to justice, debuts with forewords from senior judges and legal leaders. Security & Malware Warning: Researchers report a new “Rapuncel” infostealer that disables defenses using a signed driver, underscoring the risks around software downloads. Indie Bookshop Support (UK): HarperCollins UK funds independent shops via author-nominated grants, with Alnwick’s Accidental Bookshop among recipients.

Publishing Law & Royalties: A Manhattan judge refused to rule for McGraw-Hill in a textbook authors’ royalty dispute, saying a jury could find a breach of publishing agreement terms. AI & Copyright: New court filings and unsealed internal docs fuel publisher-vs-AI fights, with claims that training large models amounts to “theft” of copyrighted work. Controversy in the Spotlight: Amazon formally defended Ed Brubaker after harassment claims, while HarperCollins moved to phase out David Walliams’s backlist following allegations. Book Trade & Access: Mexico’s culture ministry announced a mass book purchase for the national library network, and Kenya faces a Grade 11 textbook printing delay tied to a Sh7bn government debt to publishers. Awards & Industry Moves: SPCK celebrated “Publisher of the Year,” and the Independent Press Award relaunched its website to streamline submissions. New Releases & Culture: Kate Atkinson’s new novel spotlights the Festival of Britain era; J.T. Ellison heads to a Tennessee library event; and a new Stephen King gothic-horror roundup spotlights how modern King reshaped classic nightmares. International Publishing: China’s literature is seeing a “vibe shift,” while manga oversight changes follow findings of concentrated editorial authority.

David Walliams Backlist Pulled: HarperCollins is phasing out and stopping reprints of David Walliams’s entire children’s catalogue after allegations of inappropriate behaviour toward junior staff; physical stock will be wound down and digital formats are expected to follow. Folk Music Book Preservation: Shinnawi documents Galilee wedding songs and “chants and ululations” in a new book aimed at preserving oral heritage at risk of fading. Halo Audio Anniversary: Simon & Schuster Audio releases a full-cast audiobook of Eric Nylund’s Halo: The Fall of Reach prequel Halo: The Fall of Reach for the franchise’s 25th anniversary on Nov. 10, 2026. Manga Oversight Shake-Up: Shogakukan’s Manga ONE faces scrutiny after a third-party review found weaknesses in editorial governance, including hiring creators with prior sexual-offense convictions under pen names. Publishing Meets AI Pressure: A Microsoft executive’s remarks in a major copyright fight add fuel to the debate over AI training and news publishers’ rights. Local Literary Events: Rebecca McClanahan headlines a free ECU reading for her memoir Light Falls on Everything, while the Sharjah Booksellers Conference opens with a heavy digital-sales focus. Education Supply Disruption: South Africa pauses a new Foundation Phase textbook catalogue over procurement concerns, risking delays to literacy gains.

Disability Representation in Books: Toronto’s new micro-publisher and bookstore, Sick Stories, opens its first long-term shop with poetry and short fiction by writers with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Montana History Prize: The Montana Historical Society launches the Montana Headwaters Book Prize for 2026 nonfiction on Montana history, with submissions open until Jan. 31, 2027. Library E-book Costs: Denver Public Library reports e-book demand up 50% since 2019, but borrowers face waitlists up to 12 weeks as licenses get pricey and expire quickly. New Fiction Release: Peninsula-raised Tyler Martin Hanley debuts with Firewalkers, a family-centered adventure novel mixing bounty hunting, Alaska survival, and a darker scientific thread. Publishing/Print Industry Move: Pace Prints buys Brand X Editions, expanding Pace into Los Angeles while keeping both print shops operating. Anime/Manga Business: Crunchyroll takes a 7.03% stake in Link-U Group to expand Crunchyroll Manga distribution and localization. Book Events: The 10th Deep Valley Book Festival returns Oct. 3 in Mankato with keynote author Kate DiCamillo. Memoir Spotlight: Maye Musk says her memoir Timeless includes stories about Elon Musk, published by HarperCollins. Comic Horror Sequel: Image Comics announces a sequel to Mercy, returning fans to the mining-town terror of Woodsburgh.

Publishing Deals & Industry Moves: Pluto Press has acquired the books division of radical publisher Lawrence & Wishart, folding the catalogue into a Pluto imprint from Oct. 1. Rights, Piracy & AI: A new wave of debate keeps circling publishing copyright as AI and piracy collide, with publishers pushing back on how content is scraped and reused. Book Awards Watch: The National Book Foundation released the 2026 longlist for Fiction (451 submissions; 10 titles), with finalists due Oct. 6 and winners Nov. 18. Royal Books & Memoir Fallout: Buckingham Palace responded to Charles Spencer’s Diana memoir claim that King Charles allegedly said, “we’ll forget her soon enough,” a rare public rebuttal tied to a major publishing moment. Education & Access: South Africa’s new Foundation Phase textbook catalogue rollout is frozen over procurement concerns, threatening literacy gains. AI & the Reading Economy: Reports highlight “AI slop” content farms buying legitimate sites, plus the push toward agentic bots that may shop for consumers—raising big questions for authors, publishers, and retail. Global Publishing at Fairs: Menassah Distribution Company is boosting Emirati titles at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2026 with 1,004 books from 75 publishers. Notable Books: Tara Westover announced her follow-up memoir “Brothers and Sisters” (April 13, Random House), revisiting disputes over memories from “Educated.”

Publishing Industry Shift: A new selfpublishing.com report says self-published titles now outnumber traditional books in the U.S. by more than five to one, with 2025 ISBN-registered output topping 4 million and audiobooks quietly overtaking ebooks. Royal Books in the Spotlight: Buckingham Palace issued a rare response to Earl Spencer’s memoir claim that King Charles told him “we’ll forget her soon enough” after Diana’s death, as the book’s release nears. Book Theft Alert: Four copies of Earl Spencer’s unreleased Diana memoir were stolen from a truck in the Netherlands, days before publication. Women & Color in Books: Award-winning comedian MESHELLE announced The Power of Knowing, a 101-lesson guide for girls and young women of color. Global Publishing & IP: WEBTOON Unscrolled shared what’s selling in print and how IP strategy turns webtoons into retailer-friendly collections. Anime Beyond the West: A look at how anime’s long history in the Middle East is reshaping fans into creators. Literary Events: The 2026 National Book Award longlists roll out for nonfiction and poetry, while NYC’s largest free book festival returns with 250+ publishers and readings.

Independent Booksellers: CALIBA’s Fall Fest brought hundreds of booksellers and publishers to San Diego for trade talks, a bus tour of local indies, and a keynote from Nicola Yoon. War on Publishing Infrastructure: Ukraine’s Kharkiv Literary Fair spotlighted how Russian attacks have destroyed millions of books since 2022, with calls for broader support for publishers and library restocking. Bilingual Literacy Push: Jenny Lizarraga’s Cinco Books is expanding access to Spanish- and Portuguese-language titles for schools and libraries, while Printed Word Reviews launched a bilingual English-Spanish magazine edition for Hispanic Heritage Month. UAE Publishing Strategy: The Emirates Publishers Association used Abu Dhabi International Book Fair to build partnerships, including an MoU with Miqyas Al Dhad to classify Arabic content by reading levels. Education Procurement: Ukraine’s education minister announced a UAH 100 million school-library book procurement program aimed at supporting domestic publishers. High-Profile Theft: Earl Spencer’s unreleased Diana memoir copies were stolen from a truck in the Netherlands ahead of release. Licensed Manga Expansion: Random House Worlds will publish a Star Wars: Thrawn manga adaptation, and Crunchyroll boosted its Link-U stake to expand Crunchyroll Manga internationally. Accessibility in Retail: Kyobo Book Centre rolled out 11 new large-print “EasyPage” titles and expanded its large-print menus.

Award & Climate Fiction: Spokane author Leyna Krow won a 2026 Washington State Book award for her fiction novel “Sinkhole, and Other Inexplicable Voids,” a climate-fear collection built around bizarre, near-magical disasters. Publishing Security: Charles Spencer’s Princess Diana memoir “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister” reportedly had four copies stolen in the Netherlands days before release, prompting a police investigation. Accessibility in Print: Bloomsbury will publish a dyslexia-friendly edition of Stephen Graham and Orly Klein’s “Letters to Our Sons” on the same day as the standard book, using larger fonts, spacing, and cream paper. Small Press Momentum: UW-Stevens Point’s Cornerstone Press marked a year of national recognition, with 22 titles earning 45 award/selection citations. Translated Literature Spotlight: The National Book Foundation released the 2026 longlist for Translated Literature, featuring 10 titles from 159 submissions. Digital Catalog Growth: BookWalker expanded its catalog via a partnership with Mahjong Pros Publishing, adding localized mahjong manga, strategy guides, and pro-player memoirs. Industry Watch: Circana BookScan data for August 2026 showed “Dungeon Crawler Carl” leading the Author chart, with major manga and superhero graphic novel titles also ranking. New Literary Events: Pride on the Page returns as a free Palm Springs festival previewing LGBTQIA+ authors and independent presses. Book-to-Stage: David Armand’s “The Late Shift” sold out in community theater runs, marking his first produced play after a career writing books. International Publishing Ties: The Arab Book Award and the Arab Publishers Union signed a cooperation agreement to expand joint events and professional expertise exchange. Podcast Awards: ParaPod Podcast Awards announced 2026 nominees and industry judges, with winners set for Oct. 24.

National Book Awards Watch: The National Book Foundation released the 2026 longlist for Young People’s Literature, pulling 10 titles from 290 submissions, with finalists due Oct. 6 and winners announced Nov. 18. Publishing & Culture: Asterix in Britain’s original cover art sold for a record €1.475m, underscoring how comic heritage keeps climbing in value. New Books in Focus: Pope Leo XIV’s “Freedom Under Grace” lands in English, bringing St. Augustine reflections to a wider Commonwealth audience. Literary Events: Hauser & Wirth Publishers will open a Mayfair pop-up bookshop during Frieze week, spotlighting new releases and signed backlist copies. Author/Imprint News: Ocean Science Consulting launched OSC Publishing House with an expanded “Marine Mammal Observer and Passive Acoustic Monitoring Handbook II.” Awards & Recognition: Christiane Scarpino’s memoir “Missing Pieces” won the NYC Big Book Award for Best Anthology category (and other NYC Big Book Award honors rolled in this week). Book-to-Screen Buzz: Quentin Tarantino’s second novel, “The Adventures of Cliff Booth,” arrives Dec. 8 via Harper, tied to the upcoming film release. Independent Book Retail: Inkstone Books opened its first Lincoln city-centre store, specializing in limited sci-fi and fantasy editions.