AGP Executive Report

Publishing & Language Rights: Greek academics have urged Amazon KDP to restore support for Greek-language publishing, arguing the platform’s current exclusion blocks Greek authors and readers from a language with thousands of years of written tradition. Prison Reading & Community: Dorchester Penitentiary’s inmate book clubs show how reading can thrive without distractions, with volunteers running meetings and prisoners choosing books they keep. Book Deals & Indie-to-Print: Zombie novelist Jo Salazar’s self-published start has turned into a Sourcebooks Fire three-book deal, a reminder that genre momentum can still win publishers over. Libraries & Access: The Friends of Lancaster Public Library’s annual Big Book Sale is expanding to a weekend start, with a quarter-million items expected. Sports & Ethics in College: A Texas judge cleared QB Brendan Sorsby to play despite NCAA gambling ineligibility, escalating debate over enforcement and integrity. Tech Policy for Readers: The SEC proposed rescinding Rule 611 and 610(e), a potential unlock for tokenized stock trading that could reshape how finance reaches consumers. Author News: Gene Shalit, the long-running “Today” movie critic, died at 100.

Publishing & Community Reading: Halton Hills Public Library named Loghan Paylor’s The Cure for Drowning as its 2026 “One Book, One Halton Hills” pick, urging residents to read together in any format. Author Honors: Malorie Blackman was made a dame for services to literature, adding to a run of major recognition for her YA work including Noughts & Crosses. Children’s Literacy Push: Rise Augusta’s “book bash” and tutoring program aim to prevent summer reading loss for hundreds of children, backed by a $25,000 grant. New Releases (Thriller): Brad Thor’s 25th Scot Harvath novel, Choke Point, lands June 16, with the plot tied to modern geopolitical flashpoints. Book Culture & Events: Husband-and-wife authors Victor Letonoff and Maribeth Fischer will sign books at Browseabout Books on June 17. Media/Streaming: Power Book III: Raising Kanan season 5 premieres tonight on Starz, with free trial options highlighted for cord-cutters.

Publishing & Culture: Hungary’s new government says it will guarantee the “free operation” of the book market, review child-protection-era publishing laws, and revisit VAT, teacher/library book buying, and textbook-market liberalization at Book Week in Budapest. AI in Books: An openly AI-assisted memoir, “How to Win One Million Dollars and Shit Glitter,” keeps racking up recognition, landing as a finalist for the National Indie Excellence Awards even as awards bodies debate disclosure rules. Book-to-Screen Picks: A summer roundup highlights titles to read before their film adaptations hit, including Hayley Kiyoko’s “Girls Like Girls.” Libraries & Reading Access: Dorchester’s Teasel & Skylark is named an Independent Bookshop Week “Bookshop Champion,” spotlighting local author events and community outreach. Education Policy: An inspectorate report says admission policies for special classes for autistic students still include conditional clauses contrary to guidance, with progress deemed insufficient. Sports & Gambling Rules: A Texas judge temporarily blocks the NCAA from stopping a quarterback’s eligibility after a wagering ban, a decision that could ripple through college sports.

Pesticide Policy & Health: New reviews tie chlorpyrifos and other pesticide exposure to multi-organ damage and higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors, pushing renewed scrutiny of EPA approvals for major crops. Science & Safety: A debate over a lithium-free solid-state battery heats up as critics challenge Donut Lab’s claims using lab-test clips, while defenders say the accusations lack hands-on testing. Publishing & Community: Physical bookstores keep rebounding, with a new Webb City shop drawing readers back in person, while libraries lean into summer reading as a confidence-builder—plus Oshkosh’s library hosts discussions around Catherine Price’s “The Power of Fun.” Books & Adaptations: Carley Fortune’s “Every Year After” lands on Prime Video, and Vladic brings WWII-era maritime history to Benicia Bookshop. Business of Books: TMX Group’s deal to acquire RAFI Indices expands index coverage for TMX VettaFi. Local Author Momentum: Memoirs and YA debuts keep breaking through—like a Wellston coming-of-age story and a Kent alumna’s genre-blending sci-fi mystery.

Publishing & Books in the News: An independent debut novel, The Dying Art Of Life: An Oliver Twist Sequel. Probably., is getting a major visibility boost with a Times Square billboard spotlight on June 20 after winning the 2025 NYC Big Book Award. Reviews & Reader Culture: A review of Tanul Thakur’s Wild Wild East spotlights how the H-1B system can be used to trap workers, while a separate piece argues that comparison culture is a growing psychological distraction. Libraries & Community Reading: National Indigenous History Month programming is expanding at libraries, including new titles like Cody Groat’s Always a Part of the Land, and Derry’s library is preparing a “Human Library” event where people share lived stories instead of stereotypes. Author Spotlights: Matt Haig talks life in books, and Sarah Perry shares the personal origins of her new work Death of an Ordinary Man. Media & Adaptations: Prime Video’s UK release of Every Year After continues the trend of book-to-screen romance, based on Carley Fortune’s novel.

Public Health Accountability: Canada’s MP Dean Allison is backing a citizen-led inquiry into COVID vaccine injuries, pushing for transparency and better support as advocates criticize high rejection rates and weak risk communication. Health & Science: A new review links pesticide exposure in pregnancy and early childhood to higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors, with the strongest signals around prenatal exposure. Publishing & Reading Life: A new romance bookstore in Newmarket opened with bookmarks selling out on day one, while local libraries keep summer reading momentum—Sterling Heights launches “Unearth A Story,” and a Tuesday morning book club picks Gretchen Berg’s The Operator. Policy & Kids Online: Canada introduces legislation aimed at making social media and AI chatbot services safer for children “by design.” Books on Screen: FX/Disney+ sets an Aug. 6, 2026 release date for Bret Easton Ellis’ The Shards series. Food for Thought: A federal alcohol study surfaced in a journal, arguing risk rises around one drink a day and stricter limits may be needed.

Sports & Publishing: As the FIFA World Cup kicks off, Ciarán McArdle’s Forbes Books title, The Soccer of Success, argues soccer habits can translate into business, parenting, and personal growth. Legal & College Sports: A Texas judge cleared QB Brendan Sorsby to play after an NCAA ineligibility ruling tied to college sports wagering, setting up a fresh fight over gambling bans. Climate Adaptation: New Irish research urges shifting from monitoring coastal erosion to a binding Coastal Change Adaptation Framework, including relocation tools and funding. Theatre & Reviews: How to Make a Mess gets a review, while a separate write-up on a Nigella Lawson musical weighs what works onstage. Libraries & Community Reading: Norfolk’s long-lost library book returns after 77 years; Massachusetts pushes a bill to curb book bans; and a St. Louis event backs Black authors and youth literacy. Tech & Open Source: LibreOffice maintainers slam Euro-Office “sovereignty” claims, calling the pitch misleading. AI, Finance & Consumer Life: Commentary and reporting keep circling “subscription traps,” while crypto and fintech items mix predictions with practical consumer angles.

College Sports & Gambling: A Texas judge granted a temporary injunction letting Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby play this fall after the NCAA deemed him ineligible for wagering, setting up a likely appeal and raising fresh questions about how gambling bans are enforced. Publishing & Prizes: Vermont’s Youth Book Awards crowned three student-voted winners—Whalesong, Impossible Creatures, and Not Like Other Girls—showing how kids’ reading choices keep driving the next wave of authors. Retail Reading Incentives: Pizza Hut is reviving BOOK IT! momentum with a June 10 free personal pan pizza for customers who bring a BOOK IT! button. Consumer Tech & Pricing: Kroger’s electronic shelf labels are rolling out more widely, but critics worry about “surge pricing” while the company says the goal is accuracy and lower costs. New Books for Readers: Faith, history, and inclusion stand out: Absolute Faith (forgiveness and second chances), Twelve Bells to Freedom (a Hungarian WWII/Soviet memoir), and Luna, My Superhero Sidekick (service dogs and invisible disabilities for ages 3–7). Entertainment Adaptations: Whalefall gets its first trailer, adapting Daniel Kraus’s novel into a deep-sea survival thriller starring Josh Brolin and Austin Abrams.

Local Journalism & Publishing: Watertown Daily Times is making downtown office space available for lease as it reshapes operations for digital growth while keeping print production running. New Books for Readers in Need: Texas author Braylon D. Kelley sets a July 1 release for “Gianna and the Voice of the Voiceless,” a faith-based children’s book for families facing miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, and other grief. Faith, Healing, and Memoir: Ralph Good releases “ALTAR OF AUTHORITY,” a memoir-theology guide aimed at helping readers recognize spiritual abuse and reclaim freedom. Civics for Young Readers: Dr. Olapeju Simoyan’s “Sweet Land of Liberty” pairs photography and stories behind U.S. symbols and songs for the Declaration’s 250th anniversary. Publishing Industry Recognition: Foreword Reviews names University of Nebraska Press Indie Publisher of the Year. Reading Culture & Access: Grand Rapids comptroller Max Frantz sues after city hall changes that critics say undermine an independent watchdog—an issue that could ripple across Michigan. Books Meet the World: The Barbican’s autumn theatre season brings a major Haruki Murakami stage adaptation, with Murakami appearing in conversation and readings.

Author Marketing Workshop: Writers of Kern is hosting a June 20 workshop, “Navigating Instagram and Canva,” teaching authors how to use free tools and grow an Instagram following with practical post-launch strategies. Library Summer Reading: Chilton Public Library’s “Discover Your Story” challenge pushes daily reading for kids, teens, and adults, aiming to fight “summer slide.” Pride Month Picks: Essex-area libraries are spotlighting LGBTQIA+ reads, using the “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors” idea to frame books as empathy builders. Publishing Buzz on Amazon: A wave of “Lead with Empathy” co-authored business/leadership titles hit Amazon best-seller status after a June 4 launch, with multiple chapters spotlighting vulnerability, resilience, and people-first leadership. Censorship & Content Warnings: A UK museum added trigger warnings to a 1949 Janet and John book, saying it will keep the title while prompting conversations about outdated views. New Book Releases: Luisa Ocampo’s embodied-healing debut “Relatos Físicos” heads to Miami after its FILBo presentation, while Max Victor Alper’s Revolution travel-history pair targets America’s 250th anniversary. Sports-Books Crossover: A new book on José Martí is set for a University of Miami panel, tying literature and history to today’s relevance.

Disability Law Overhaul: Ireland has launched a public consultation to review the Disability Act 2005, aiming to update definitions, needs assessment, accessibility rules, universal design, and even genetic data use, with the review framed by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Elder Fraud Watch: The CFPB says elder financial exploitation often goes undetected for months, with losses built on trust—so the advice is simple: pause, ask, protect before acting on urgent requests. Audit Scrutiny: Ireland’s audit watchdog (Iaasa) opened four investigations into auditors and audit firms—the most since it started publishing enforcement figures in 2020—while keeping case details under wraps. Publishing & Reading Culture: A Pride Month roundup highlights queer books beyond “high highs” and “low lows,” while a new review of Julian Barnes’s farewell novel Departure(s) spotlights its blend of fiction, memoir-like memory, and mortality. Climate Storytelling: National Geographic’s Time and Water review argues the glacier-disaster message is urgent, even if the film’s tone drifts into elegiac blandness.

Research & Health: A new study maps a key microglia “state switch” that may explain why some people stay cognitively healthy despite Alzheimer’s brain changes, pointing to earlier intervention targets. Publishing & Culture: Brock University’s Mapping Ann-Marie MacDonald project will be unveiled June 20, pairing literary research with a peek at MacDonald’s developing play. Comics & Identity Debate: DC’s “trans power fantasy” Wonder Woman spin-off sparks a trans row, with critics arguing it reshapes a female icon’s meaning. Tech for Readers: Boox Go 6 (Gen II) launches as a compact Android E Ink e-reader with stylus support and handwriting recognition. Books & Community: Haiti’s Livres en Folie book fair returns with a tribute to René Depestre, drawing hundreds and 1,100 titles by 114 Haitian authors. Local Book Scene: Jeff Martin, “Literary King” of Tulsa’s Magic City Books, settles into West Seattle and plans new community events. Travel Rules for Readers: TSA updates medical marijuana travel guidance, clarifying what patients can bring in carry-on and checked luggage. Game Adaptation Buzz: “Control Resonant” gets a new trailer and dev documentary, expanding its supernatural Manhattan action RPG.

Publishing & Books on the Move: Independent author ButterflyMan dropped two new releases: political thriller The Longest Line (espionage, information warfare, institutional trust) and the critical nonfiction Cryptocurrency: The Cocaine of Finance (social and consumer harms, fraud and cybercrime). Royal & Cultural Commentary: A new wave of royal-book chatter follows claims about King Charles and Prince William “reasserting control,” while readers also keep circling major literary events and reviews. Big-Name Author Tour: Kristin Hannah is set for a massive Michigan event with Kent District Library, after tickets vanished fast and the venue scaled up. AI, Education, and Equity: A new university-focused piece argues generative AI use is uneven, with female students—especially high achievers—using it less. Book World Notes: Alan Bradley, creator of Flavia de Luce mysteries, has died at 87; and West Sussex thriller author Miranda Rijks has surpassed one million sales. Industry & Policy: UK MPs warn defence delays and a delayed investment plan are damaging credibility—an echo of how publishing and public trust both hinge on delivery.

Election Integrity: A U.S. attorney’s office in California says it has opened multiple election fraud investigations, pointing to “serious structural vulnerabilities” in the state’s system. Publishing & Culture: Vancouver’s Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium—fought a landmark 2SLGBTQ+ rights case—gets honoured with a new Canada Post stamp. Art History Spotlight: A new 2026 book aims to deliver the most comprehensive study yet of National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, adding fresh archival material and hundreds of artworks. Book-to-Screen Buzz: Rebecca Yarros shares updates on upcoming adaptations, including Fourth Wing and The Things We Leave Unfinished. New Releases (Faith & Memoir): Cesar Torres’ Mom, Dad, I’m Gay tackles faith and acceptance after his daughter comes out, while Chuck Queen’s The Way of the Living Jesus reframes the Gospel of Thomas for modern spiritual seekers. Community Reading: BRAC Bank reading cafés host author Dipu Mahmud’s Breakup, with readers discussing themes and craft.

Pop-Culture Publishing: South Korea’s Michael Jackson book market is surging after the film “Michael,” with translated editions of “Moonwalk” and new titles like “Michael Jackson: The Legend” climbing bestseller lists. Humanities Funding Shift: The NEH’s recent grants show a conservative turn, including a major $3M award to publish John Adams’s papers alongside more traditional history projects tied to the U.S. 250th. AI’s Value Repricing: In wealth management, automation is cutting meeting prep and reshaping what human labor is “worth,” with firms scaling AI deployments and forcing a rethink of which roles survive. Children, Screens, and Reading: A new push against heavy device use argues screens harm young brains, while other coverage keeps spotlighting kids’ books and reading habits. Local Literary Life: Nepal’s Kalinga Literary Festival hosted a family-spanning poetry launch, and a library mystery book club highlights reader-driven picks. Publishing Awards: Julia Elliott’s short-story collection “Hellions” wins the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, adding to the week’s momentum for women’s and non-binary fiction. Health & Ethics: A Canadian start-up is pitching “economic euthanasia” options, framing housing and finances as drivers of MAID decisions.

Middle East Standoff: The U.S. and Iran stayed locked in talks over a potential truce as the conflict nears the 100-day mark, with Iran insisting on sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and Hezbollah rejecting any Lebanon ceasefire that doesn’t mean total Israeli capitulation. Book Publishing & Discovery: A previously unpublished J.R.R. Tolkien typescript translation from Oxford’s Bodleian archives—“Soul’s Ward,” based on “Sawles Warde”—has been unearthed for first-time publication. New Releases & Reading Lists: The National’s newsroom rounds up “18 sizzling summer reads,” while Mary Kay Andrews’ “Road Trip” spotlights reinvention through a sisters’ Ireland journey. Author News: Dr. Angel A. Diaz’s late-2026 nonfiction “The Vanishing Edge” targets the race to protect America’s technological leadership. Local Book Culture: A Friends of McCracken County Library summer sale readies thousands of bargain books to fund children’s literacy programming. Health & Books: A maternal RSV vaccine study reports nearly 70% lower infant hospitalization risk, adding to the growing real-world impact story around immunization.