From November 8 to 10, at the Palais de la Femme (Paris, 11th arrondissement) the new edition of the Salon L'Autre livre is held. This event celebrates, like every year, editorial diversity and strengthens links between independent publishing players.
The L'Autre Livre association, which organizes it, brings together independent publishers and organizes the Salon de l'Autre Livre, an annual event aimed at promoting bibliodiversity and providing visibility to independent publishing houses.
To present this 2024 edition to us, ActuaLitté invited two editors, Alain Gorius and Jacques Damade, guests of our show Words in a box :
After a career in teaching literature and cultural journalism, Alain Gorius founded Éditions Al Manar in Morocco in 1996, within the eponymous painting gallery, then in 1998 in France. Under his direction, Al Manar is distinguished by an editorial line highlighting collaboration between authors and visual artists from the North and the South, particularly from the Arab world.
The publishing house publishes bilingual works in various Mediterranean languages, covering genres such as poetry, short stories, essays on art and tales from the Maghreb oral tradition. To date, more than 400 titles have been published.
Jacques Damade created Éditions de la Bibliothèque in 1992, an independent publishing house dedicated to the reissue of old works and the publication of contemporary authors. Since March 2024, he has also been president of the L'Autre Livre association, succeeding Francis Combes.
Independent publishing, numbers and letters
In 2023, the overall turnover of publishing in France amounted to 2.945 billion euros, marking an increase of 1.16% compared to 2022, according to SNE.
However, the exact share of independent publishing in this turnover is not specifically detailed in the available sources. Independents play an essential role in cultural diversity, but their financial weight remains limited compared to large groups in the sector.
According to a study by the Federation of Independent Publishers (FEDEI) published in 2023, independent publishers would achieve a cumulative turnover estimated at 337 million euros, or approximately 11.5% of the 2.913 billion euros in turnover. total French publishing business in 2022. It is generally accepted that the book market is dominated by a few large groups: previous studies indicated that 10 major players captured 87% of publishing turnover in France.
STUDY – Panorama of independent publishing in France in 2023
It is estimated that there are around 2,500 independent publishing houses in France. These structures are characterized by great diversity in terms of size, legal form and editorial line. According to the FEDEI, 70% of the responding structures are constituted in the form of commercial companies, while associations represent a smaller proportion.
Despite their essential role in cultural diversity, independent publishers face major challenges: market concentration, pressure on margins, adaptation to technological developments and increased competition. However, their capacity for innovation, their flexibility and their commitment to bibliodiversity constitute assets to overcome these obstacles.
Independent, a trademark
For Jacques Damade, the challenge of the show is above all the defense of an identity in a saturated market: “We are the last guarantors of literary diversity“, he believes. Because, he continues, independent publishing highlights texts often ignored by the big houses, works which do not respond to dominant commercial logic, but which bring real added value to the cultural landscape.
And his colleague Alain Gorius agrees: the L'Autre Livre fair represents a space of visibility for these often invisible actors. “It's a place where we can meet our readers without an intermediary“, he explains. The event brings together around a hundred independent publishers each year: an unmissable event for all those who defend an artisanal and passionate vision of the profession.
Resisting pressure from big brands
One of the central topics discussed during this interview was the pressure exerted by large distribution brands on small publishers. Jacques Damade does not hesitate to denounce “the hegemony of platforms and large distributors» which, according to him, harm editorial diversity. He believes that this concentration endangers access to demanding and original literature. For him, resisting this standardization is an act of cultural resistance.
Alain Gorius shares this concern, but is optimistic about the ability of independent publishers to find alternatives. “We rely on networks of independent bookstores and on direct sales during trade fairs“, he confides. This strategy allows houses like his to stay as close as possible to readers and continue to promote texts that escape fashions and market trends.
A commitment to editorial freedom
Beyond economic issues, the two publishers emphasize the importance of total editorial freedom, far from the constraints imposed by the market. “Our strength is our independence», affirms Jacques Damade. For him, this freedom translates into assertive editorial choices, publications that are often confidential, but which meet a loyal and passionate audience.
The L'Autre Livre salon is intended to be a space for meeting and exchange, far from the glitter of the big Parisian salons. “We need places like this to exist», concludes Alain Gorius. This year again, the fair promises to be a moment of discovery for all lovers of independent literature, with round tables, meetings with authors and the possibility of interacting directly with those who are shaping the books of tomorrow.
The 2024 edition of L'Autre Livre therefore promises to be under the sign of resistance and passion for words, with the hope of reminding the public of the importance of supporting an edition on a human scale, far from industrial logic. which stifle creation.
More information on the show.
Photo credits: ActuaLitté, CC BY SA 2.0
FILE – L'Autre Livre 2024, the international independent publishing fair
By Nicolas Gary
Contact : [email protected]
