International Publishing Highlights: October 5, 2026

Japan’s Media Do has sold its Firebrand Group publishing technology businesses to Canada’s Valsoft for $20 million. The deal encompasses five companies, including Quality Solutions, which provides publishing workflow software, and NetGalley, a digital book-discovery platform. Media Do aims to redirect resources towards international expansion focused on U.S. manga and light novels, specifically the recently acquired Seven Seas Entertainment. The sale price, at approximately 1.07 times annual revenue, appears low compared to the companies' earnings, with Quality Solutions reporting $10.2 million and NetGalley $8.5 million in 2025.

In Sweden, Storytel has launched Storytel Books, an online store for physical books, allowing subscribers to purchase titles at a discount. The store will integrate with the Storytel app later in October, enhancing the user experience for audiobook listeners. The operational infrastructure is provided by Sweden Buyersclub, which runs the online bookstore Bookhero.

Italy’s trade book market has shown recovery, with a 3.2% increase to €1.03 billion ($1.17 billion) in value during the first three quarters of 2026, alongside a 2.6% rise in unit sales. This growth is attributed to a government bonus for libraries and strong sales early in the year, according to NielsenIQ BookData for the Italian Publishers Association (AIE). Comparatively, the previous year had reported declines in the same metrics.

In South Korea, purchases of webtoons surged following the shutdown of NewToki, a major illegal distribution site. Users purchasing previously pirated webtoons increased eightfold after the closure, indicating that dismantling piracy platforms can lead to increased legitimate consumption.

Bertelsmann is set to launch a print-on-demand operation for short runs of black-and-white books in April 2027, uniting various companies under its umbrella to create a more efficient production and logistics system. This initiative aims to enter a competitive market dominated by Libri Group’s established services.

Meanwhile, Chinese publishers are increasingly focusing on imprints to enhance brand recognition and reader loyalty. This trend was highlighted at the Publishing Imprint Influence Conference in August, where discussions included how to leverage AI and deepen audience engagement.

In Brazil, the consignment model remains prevalent in the book trade, allowing publishers to supply books to stores without upfront payments until sold. While criticisms exist regarding cash flow and transparency, advancements in technology could improve this system.

Quebec's De Marque has partnered with ElevenLabs to offer audiobook solutions through its Cantook Édition platform, aiming to fill gaps in the French-language market and expand audio availability.

The Chaptrly.eu platform will debut at the Frankfurt Book Fair on October 8, showcasing innovations in publishing while bridging the gap between traditional publishers and startups.

Additionally, the writer anticipates a busy week at the Frankfurt Book Fair, participating in discussions on international book markets and interacting with fellow industry professionals.