August 2, 2026

On the Money

Last week, attendees at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con were eager to buy art and collectibles, with comics publishers reporting a largely successful weekend of sales and programming—despite the winners of the Eisner Awards, which are normally the climax of the event, being leaked. Hachette Book Group eked out a 1.3% sales increase in the first half of 2026, compared to the same period last year, thanks to boosts from audiobooks and a handful of popular new nonfiction titles. The Association of American Literary Agents has updated its code of ethics to reflect the rise of nontraditional publishing, with major changes including allowing agents to charge clients for editorial and other publishing services. And audio publisher Podium is teaming with podcast network Realm to adapt 35 serialized fiction podcasts into audiobook format—with the help of some high-profile narrators.

Last week, Penguin Random House, the American Library Association, Authors Against Book Bans, EveryLibrary, PEN America, and the Freedom to Learn Foundation met with Senate and House offices and key committee staff to discuss concerns around H.R. 7661, H.R. 2616, S. 4925, and H.R. 8705. The group emphasized the importance of protecting the freedom to read, preserving local decision-making, and opposing federal efforts that could undermine access to books and educational materials. Pictured (from l.) are Skip Dye of PRH; Gloria Walker of PEN America; Rosie Stewart of PRH; Shawnda Hines of ALA; Rory Steele of FTLA; Lisa Varga and Kevin Maher of ALA; and Curtis Doster of Intersection Government Relations.

Courtesy PRH

San Diego Comic-Con 2026 Delivers Despite Eisner Leak

Though the con’s biggest event, the Eisner Awards ceremony, was marred by the early release of the winners, the show floor was abuzz with comics publishers reporting strong sales, especially for collectibles. Hollywood, meanwhile, had a rather muted presence. more

HBG Posts 1.3% Sales Increase in First Half of 2026

Hachette Book Group CEO David Shelley called the company’s performance, which was aided by solid sales of digital audio, “excellent.” Sales at HBG parent company Lagardère Publishing fell 0.4% in the six-month period, to €1.34 billion. more

Major AALA Ethics Update Allows Agents to Offer Paid Editorial, Publicity Services

Recent revisions to the Association of American Literary Agents’ code of ethics reflect how much agents’ roles have expanded as more authors handle their own marketing and promotion via non-traditional publishing models, president Regina Brooks says. more

Podium to Publish Fiction Podcasts as Audiobooks

The catalog, which begins rolling out August 4, comprises audiobook adaptations of 35 serialized podcasts currently hosted on the Realm network. The L.A.-based Podium has enlisted such celebrity narrators as Fred Armisen and Tatiana Maslany. more

More News

JobZone

SEND US TIPS

SUBMIT A PHOTO

SUBMIT JOB MOVES

Send editorial questions about this e-newsletter to Sophia Stewart.
Send advertising questions about this e-newsletter to Joe Murray.

For additional assistance, contact us by email or at the address below.

Publishers Weekly,
49 West 23rd Street
Ninth Floor
New York, NY 10010
Phone 212-377-5500

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Get your own FREE newsletter subscriptions.

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

You are receiving this email because npkvdejmf6@nie.podam.pl subscribed to one of Publishers Weekly's newsletters. If you are not npkvdejmf6@nie.podam.pl, then please disregard this message. Update your newsletter preferences here.

PW takes spam very seriously. This email message meets all the requirements of the United States CAN-SPAM Act and Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). To remove yourself from the Must Reads email list, unsubscribe.