TV host Arthur has announced he is delaying the release of his second book at Grasset, titled Même la nuit ne veut pas de moi, due to recent changes at the publishing house. The decision comes after the departure of Olivier Nora, CEO for 26 years, and the defection of 115 authors denouncing an attack on editorial independence.
Hachette Livre group, owned by Vincent Bolloré since 2023, announced on Tuesday April 14 the departure of Olivier Nora, head of Grasset editions for 26 years. The statement prompted a strong reaction: on Wednesday evening, 115 authors including Virginie Despentes, Sorj Chalandon, Bernard-Henri Lévy, and Frédéric Beigbeder published an open letter obtained by AFP. They denounce 'an unacceptable attack on editorial independence' and announce they are leaving the house.
TV host Arthur, author of J’ai perdu un Bédouin dans Paris published by Grasset on October 7, 2025, was set to release the sequel, Même la nuit ne veut pas de moi, at the end of May. On Instagram, he stated: 'In this context, and given the recent evolutions affecting this team to which I have become attached, I have decided to postpone the release of my next book.' He pays tribute to Olivier Nora, Christophe Bataille, and Caroline Fourest for their demanding support.
Other reports mention up to 170 authors involved in a spontaneous open letter, organized via a WhatsApp group after the announcement. Though prestigious, Grasset's economic weight remains limited within the Hachette giant, according to observers.
