Court Orders WeLib to Pay Publishers $19,500,000
Judge Victor Marrero entered a default judgment ordering WeLib to pay 13 publishers $19,500,000 for willful copyright infringement. The operators did not respond.
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Hachette in The Publishing Times
One of the Big Five publishers (Hachette Livre, parent of Hachette Book Group and Hachette UK). Official site: www.hachette.com
FLASHBACK: Stephen King's warning, and the publishing numbers behind it
The 2022 Penguin Random House case exposed concentrated profits, unearned advances and unequal marketing budgets. Four years later, the distinctions still matter for authors.
Such a Witch by Sarah Henning: A Magical-School Murder Mystery With Romance
Sarah Henning's YA fantasy Such a Witch, published July 28, 2026, makes its popular head prefect the prime suspect when a vampire student is murdered at her school for magic.
The Week in Global Publishing, July 27, 2026: Anthropic Payouts, Simon Stream and Attacks on Books
Our recap of the international publishing news for the week of July 27, 2026: Bloomsbury's Anthropic settlement estimate, S&S's new imprint for indie authors, strikes on Ukrainian publishers and more.
A Spell of Heart & Havoc by Kristen Vale: Now Out From Forever
Kristen Vale's fantasy romance A Spell of Heart & Havoc, once a preorder, was released by Forever on September 15, 2026. Here is the premise and where it fits.
Renaudot Names Its 2026 Finalists and Drops Thélyson Orélien
The Renaudot jury picked six novels and four essays for its centenary year and cut Thélyson Orélien's novel, which faces AI and plagiarism accusations. Winners are named Nov. 3.
Olivia De Zilva Wins the 2026 Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction
Her autofiction debut Plastic Budgie, from Pink Shorts Press, beat a shortlist of six picked by 15 Readings staff. The prize is worth $5,000.
Australian Authors and Publishers Tell AI Inquiry: No Opt-Out
Charlotte Wood, Anna Funder and Markus Zusak joined the publishers' and authors' associations before Parliament's AI committee. They asked for opt-in licensing, not a looser copyright law.
Australian Publishing Workforce Is More Diverse, Survey Finds
The Australian Publishers Association's second workforce survey, with the University of Melbourne, collected 774 responses from March to May 2026. First Nations representation rose from 1% in 2022 to 3.3%.
Supreme Court Affirms BMG v. Vetter for Lack of a Quorum
On October 19 the Supreme Court said it lacks a quorum in BMG v. Vetter. Justices Sotomayor, Gorsuch, Barrett, and Jackson took no part, and the Fifth Circuit judgment is affirmed.
Hachette UK’s award-winning Changing the Story Design Festival returns
25 September: Hachette UK announces the return of its award-winning and free-to-attend Design Festival. Taking place on 24 November 2026, it is created to demystify the publishing industry f…
Hachette to Distribute Global Brother in the US and Canada
The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies publisher moves into US and Canadian stores through Hachette, effective October 5. Workman has acquired Nicole Apelian's The Green Pill Solution.
Hachette Owner Lagardère Says UK and US Publishing Each Grew 4% in Q3
Lagardère Publishing grew 0.9% like for like to €836 million in Q3 2026. The UK and US each rose 4%, with rising US audiobook sales, while France fell 4%.
Pan Macmillan Takes a Stake in Indie Non-Fiction Publisher New River Books
New River, the Islington press behind The Glucose Goddess Method, stays independent under its founders, with Pan Macmillan taking over sales and distribution from Hachette in July 2027.
Reading Agency Will Put Nearly 500,000 Quick Reads Books Into UK Prisons
Eleven short books chosen with prisoners and staff, from Lee Child, Lemn Sissay, AA Dhand and more, will go to every cell in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Romantic Novelists' Association Names Its 2026 Romance Industry Awards Shortlists
Seven categories honour the publishers, editors, agents, narrators, booksellers and librarians behind romantic fiction. Winners are named in London on November 4.
Malcolm Edwards, Editor Behind Neuromancer and A Game of Thrones in Britain, Dies at 76
Malcolm Edwards, who published Neuromancer at Gollancz and A Game of Thrones at HarperCollins before two decades at Orion, died on October 3 at 76.
Tim Winton, Zana Fraillon and Aaron Fa'Aoso Among 2026 Karajia and Environment Award Winners
The Wilderness Society has named six winners of its 2026 children's nature book awards, from Tim Winton's Ningaloo to a collection by 28 Northern Territory students.
Frankfurt Book Fair Closes Its 78th Edition With 236,000 Visitors
Frankfurter Buchmesse reports 236,000 visitors from 137 countries for the 78th fair, and names Chile as guest of honour for 6–10 October 2027.
Big Five Staff Tell WIRED AI Is Quietly Writing Publicity Copy and Agent Emails
WIRED reports that HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Hachette staff are using LLMs for publicity copy, agent emails and marketing, often at executives' urging.
Publishers' AI Copyright Suit Against Meta and Zuckerberg Moves to California
A New York judge sent the Elsevier, Hachette, Macmillan, McGraw Hill, Cengage and Scott Turow suit against Meta to California, where six similar cases sit.
Hachette UK Acquires Children's Publisher Otter-Barry Books
Hachette UK has bought Otter-Barry Books, the ten-year-old independent publisher of diverse picture books and children's poetry. Its list moves to Hachette Children's Group.
Amazon Ebook Antitrust Case: Judge Recommends a 30 Million-Buyer Class
A magistrate judge has recommended certifying a class of more than 30 million Amazon ebook buyers. A less-redacted version of his report was refiled in early October, and Amazon has objected.
David Shelley Promoted as Hachette Reshuffles Senior Leadership, Expands International Efforts
Hachette’s leadership reshuffle, including David Shelley’s promotion, hints at new opportunities for indie authors in the global market.
Hachette Book Group Names Ben Sevier CEO
Effective January 1, 2027, Ben Sevier becomes CEO of Hachette Book Group, and Richard Kitson becomes president and chief operating officer for global English.
Acquisition Announcement: REVENGE PIECE by Eman Quotah
Eman Quotah's upcoming novel blends found footage and performance art, showcasing a fresh narrative style indie authors should explore.
Authors Guild Asks Publishers to Share More of the Anthropic Settlement
The Authors Guild wants publishers to drop claims on long out-of-print books and to pay authors when a house failed to register the copyright in time.
Little, Brown Names Michael Goldsmith to Lead Publicity
Hachette has hired Michael Goldsmith as Little, Brown's vice president and executive director of publicity, a new role, effective October 13.
AI and the Publishing Industry: How Major Publishers Are Using and Fighting Artificial Intelligence in 2026
The intersection of artificial intelligence and commercial publishing has created a complex landscape where traditional houses act as both eager adopters and fi…
How to Get a Traditional Publishing Deal in 2026: Query Letters, Agents, and Advances
The publishing industry has undergone massive digital transformation over the last decade. While platforms like Amazon KDP
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