More than 100 Grasset authors say they will not publish future books with the French house after Olivier Nora’s departure
The Facts
- More than 100 authors associated with Grasset said they would not sign their next book with the publisher.
- The authors announced their decision in an open letter.
- The protest followed the departure of Olivier Nora from Grasset after about 26 years leading the publishing house.
- The signatories said Olivier Nora’s removal was an attack on Grasset’s editorial independence.
- Prominent writers including Virginie Despentes, Bernard-Henri Lévy and Frédéric Beigbeder were among the signatories.
- Grasset is part of Hachette, and Hachette has been controlled by Vincent Bolloré’s Vivendi since 2023.
Context
What exactly did the writers say they were doing?
In their open letter, the writers said they were Grasset authors, had published with Grasset, or had a book due from Grasset, but would not sign their next book with the publisher Publico,La Nacion,Terra.
Who is Olivier Nora?
Olivier Nora is the longtime head of Grasset, and multiple reports say he had led the publishing house for about 26 years before his departure triggered the protest Terra,infobae,Le Monde.
Why has Vincent Bolloré become central to the dispute?
The protest is tied to Grasset’s ownership structure: the publisher belongs to Hachette, which is controlled by Vivendi, and several reports say the authors linked Nora’s departure and broader concerns about editorial direction to Bolloré’s influence over that group EL PAÍS,infobae,Le Monde.
How left and right read it
More than 100 Grasset authors are using an open letter and a refusal to sign future books to defend what they describe as the publisher’s editorial independence after Olivier Nora’s departure following about 26 years in charge. With Grasset part of Hachette, controlled by Vincent Bolloré’s Vivendi since 2023, the protest reflects broader unease about concentrated ownership shaping cultural institutions.
More than 100 authors, including well-known figures such as Virginie Despentes, Bernard-Henri Lévy and Frédéric Beigbeder, have made a serious break with Grasset by saying in an open letter they will take their next books elsewhere. Their argument is less about personalities than about preserving editorial independence after Olivier Nora’s departure from a house now under Hachette, controlled by Vincent Bolloré’s Vivendi since 2023.
The receipts — all 100 sources
Wire services (4)
Independent coverage (50)
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