Dystel, Goderich & Bourret has resigned from the Association of American Literary Agents in protest over the organization’s new Canon of Ethics, the agency announced. The agency takes issue specifically with a clause in the canon that allows agencies to offer paid editorial services to non-clients, and could decide to represent those clients in the future. The cannon states that agents must put in writing that providing those services does not “indicate or imply that the member will represent them as a literary agent.” In DGB’s view, the policy indicates a “conflict of interest.” “Whether or not an agent claims […]
Prix Goncourt Drops Thélyson Orélien From Longlist Following Plagiarism Accusations
The Academie Goncourt, the organization behind the Prix Goncourt, removed Thélyson Orélien’s novel It Was Either That Or Die from the prize longlist. The news follows accusations that surfaced online that Orélien had used AI to write the novel, as well as an investigation by Canadian newspaper La Press that found evidence of plagiarism in his published work before the advent of AI. The Academie said in a statement to Reuters that they dropped the book from consideration “to preserve the integrity of the Goncourt Prize and that of the Academie, whose central role is to promote and honour literature […]
Trade and School Sales Fall at Scholastic in Q1
Scholastic announced financial results for the first quarter ended August 31, with sales down 4 percent to $217 million, due to lower sales in the Education and Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution divisions, plus the loss of rental income on their New York City office building. Operating loss was even with the previous year at $(92.2) million, including a one-time charge of $3.5 million. Adjusted EBITDA fell 14 percent to $(63.6) million based on stronger sales in the Entertainment and International segments, but higher overhead costs. Sales in Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution fell 3 percent to $105.8 million. Trade book sales were […]
Judge Refuses to be “Jerked Around” By Freeman and Attorneys
The judge in the Freeman-Wolff copyright case offered a rebuke of Lynne Freeman and her attorneys’ attempts to lengthen the proceedings. “I do not believe that Ms. Freeman’s counsel is acting in good faith and I will not stand for being jerked around—and I am indeed being jerked around—in this manner by any lawyer who practices before me,” Judge Colleen McMahon wrote. The filing is a response to months of filings arguing whether Freeman will be able to pay legal fees incurred by the defendants. In July, Judge Colleen McMahon ruled that Freeman must pay all attorney fees for Entangled, […]
Prize-Winning Novelist at the Center of AI Controversy Now Also Accused of Pre-AI Plagiarism
Thélyson Orélien, the debut writer of the Fnac-winning, Prix Goncourt-nominated novel It Was Either That or Die, who is at the center of the latest AI controversy, is now also accused of plagiarism in multiple works published before the advent of generative AI. The controversy began when an anonymous X account called Balance ton Claude accused Orélien of AI use, writing that “according to Pangram, this novel was written almost entirely by artificial intelligence.” Rights to the book have sold in 20 countries, including to Scribner in the US. Orélien and his publisher Éditions Grasset denied the the claims. Orélien, […]
Vroman’s Bookstore and Book Soup Change Ownership
Los Angeles bookstores Vroman’s and Book Soup have changed ownership after decades under the leadership of the Sheldon family. Longtime customer Robert Hoffman and his family will take over both stores. The Sheldons led Vroman’s for 100 years, with Joel Sheldon leading for the last 50. Sheldon acquired Book Soup in 2009 after founder Glenn Goldman died. Joel Sheldon writes in the Vroman’s announcement, “After talking with Robert and his family, I knew we had found the right stewards. They understand what makes this store special, and they’re committed to preserving that legacy while moving Vroman’s forward for our customers […]