AGP Executive Report

New Releases: Orlando author Dr. Monica Go’s F-It or Face It, published by Spines, uses biblical themes and personal stories to guide readers through hardship and questions of purpose. Independent Publishing: Ocala-based Kawaii Lab Games has joined distributor ACD’s catalog, opening a wider retail route for the family-owned publisher’s card games. Book Access: Reports of rising book bans in Florida schools renew concerns about students’ access to books. A separate story warns that a proposed Florida property-tax amendment could affect library funding.

Independent Publishing: Ocala-based Kawaii Lab Games is expanding its reach in U.S. specialty stores after joining distributor ACD’s catalog, a step forward for the family-owned card-game publisher. Library Funding: Florida’s proposed Amendment 3 could sharply reduce local property-tax revenue; library advocates warn that smaller branches and free programs may be at risk. Access to Books: Concerns are rising over book bans in Florida schools, while a Palm Beach voters’ guide that was banned from libraries has since been restored.

Library Funding: Florida Amendment 3 could sharply reduce local property-tax revenue; library advocates warn that neighborhood branches and free programs may be at risk. The proposed homestead-exemption increase is projected to cut local-government revenue by $11 billion. Book Bans: Florida recorded 3,212 school book bans in 2025–26, second only to Texas, according to a new report; manga series were among the titles targeted. Florida Book Releases: Miami’s PAIRS Foundation has published a revised edition of Seth Eisenberg’s relationship guide, while Parkland author Noah Rosenfarb’s new book explores how to use wealth to build a meaningful life.

Florida Book Releases: Miami’s PAIRS Foundation has published a revised second edition of Seth Eisenberg’s Love That Grows With You, a relationship guide available on Amazon. Parkland CPA Noah Rosenfarb has released Live Rich Beyond Money, a guide to wealth, time and meaning, through HMD Publishing. School Book Bans: Florida ranked second nationally, with 3,212 school book bans recorded in PEN America’s latest index, as the country hit a record 11,982. Manga titles including Attack on Titan and Dragon Ball Z were among the works targeted nationwide.

Florida Book Bans: Florida education officials are pressing districts to remove books deemed inappropriate, prompting PEN America’s Florida office and the Florida Freedom to Read Project to warn that challenging literature supports debate and understanding. Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye was pulled in Hillsborough County pending review. Library Access: A Palm Beach voters’ guide was banned from libraries, then restored, while Gainesville families discussed First Amendment rights at a bookstore event. Books & Readers: Book lovers marked the Antiquarian Book Fair’s 50th anniversary, celebrating physical books. Sarasota-based Prima Vista Press has released Wendy Lyons Sunshine’s guided journal for rescue-dog adopters, combining practical advice with keepsake pages. Florida Publishing: Miami chef Mika Leon celebrated her debut Cuban cookbook with a rooftop event.

School Book Challenges: PEN America’s Florida office and the Florida Freedom to Read Project are urging the state education commissioner to reconsider a memo aimed at removing “inappropriate” books from schools. They warn that challenges—including one to Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye—can limit students’ access to literature and diverse perspectives. Publisher Rights: Florida-based Human Rights Defense Center has sued Lancaster County Prison in Pennsylvania, alleging officials unlawfully blocked its books, magazines and guides from reaching incarcerated readers; the group says 125 items were returned since June 2025. New Florida Book: Sarasota-based Prima Vista Press has released Welcome Home, Rescue Dog, an interactive journal by Wendy Lyons Sunshine designed to help adopters navigate a dog’s first year at home. Local Book Events: Friends of Englewood Charlotte Library are holding a fill-a-bag used-book sale Oct. 13–17, with proceeds supporting library programs and scholarships. Print Industry: Bonita Springs will host the Digital Packaging Summit Nov. 16–18, bringing print and packaging executives together to discuss digital production and business growth.

Books & Prints: Vero Beach Museum of Art will host Ringling Museum curator Rhiannon Paget on Nov. 7 for a lecture on cats in Japanese art, ahead of an exhibition of Japanese landscape prints. Paget has written several books on Japanese art and woodblock prints. Education Publishing: Florida approved IXL Learning’s Takeoff K–5 math curriculum for statewide adoption. It is aligned with state standards and includes multilingual learning and family materials. Florida Authors: Recent local releases include a Ponte Vedra physician’s book on addictive illness and a book spotlighting Black Tampa Bay residents. Miami chef Mika Leon celebrated her debut Cuban cookbook at a rooftop event. Reading Rights: Gainesville families marked Banned Books Week at a bookstore event focused on First Amendment rights, amid continued debate over school book restrictions.

School Publishing: Florida’s education department approved IXL’s Takeoff as a statewide K–5 math curriculum, designed for Florida standards and offering multilingual supports for students and families. Florida Bookstores: Jacksonville Senate candidate Angie Nixon defended Cafe Resistance amid criticism of portraits displayed at the bookstore-cafe; she said it operates at a loss and she sometimes puts in her own money. Freedom to Read: Banned Books Week coverage renewed debate over what counts as a book ban, while Florida stories highlighted Gainesville families learning about First Amendment rights and the return of a Palm Beach voters’ guide to library shelves after it was barred. Florida Books: A Miami chef celebrated the debut of her Cuban cookbook, and a new book spotlights Black residents’ achievements across Tampa Bay.

Jacksonville Bookselling: U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon defended Cafe Resistance, the bookstore she opened as a community gathering space. She said the business is not making money and that she sometimes puts in her own cash to keep it afloat. Florida Book Releases: Miami chef Mika Leon celebrated her debut Cuban cookbook with a rooftop party. Other recent Florida titles spotlight Black Tampa Bay residents and addictive illness. Book Access: Gainesville families explored First Amendment rights at a bookstore event during Banned Books Week, as librarians nationwide raised concerns about “soft censorship.” In Palm Beach County, a voters’ guide was banned from libraries, then restored.

Florida Book Releases: Miami chef Mika Leon celebrated her debut Cuban cookbook with a rooftop party, while a Ponte Vedra Beach recovery physician released a book on addictive illness. Reading Rights: Gainesville families explored First Amendment rights at a bookstore event during Banned Books Week. National literary advocates reflected on five years of pressure on freedom to read, as Florida coverage reported that a Palm Beach voters’ guide was banned from libraries and later restored. Local Authors: A new book spotlights the achievements of Black Tampa Bay residents.

Florida Publishing: Miami chef Mika Leon celebrated her debut cookbook, Cuban Soul, with a South Beach launch featuring Cuban dishes, live music and signed copies. Book Access: Florida’s censorship debate continues: Palm Beach libraries restored a voter guide after banning it, and Gainesville families gathered at a bookstore to learn about First Amendment rights. A national report says school book bans have topped 12,000. Local Books: A new book spotlights Black Tampa Bay residents, while a Ponte Vedra physician has released a book on addictive illness. Writers & AI: The South Florida Writers Roundtable took on AI’s growing impact on the writing process.

Cookbook Spotlight: Miami chef Mika Leon is celebrating her debut, Cuban Soul: 100 Vibrant Recipes from Mi Cocina, with an Oct. 18 South Beach rooftop event featuring food from the book and signed copies. Writers’ Gathering: Registration is open for the Sanibel Island Writers Conference, returning Nov. 5–7 for its 20th anniversary. Hosted by FGCU, the event offers workshops for writers at every stage. Reading Access: Palm Beach voters’ guide was banned from libraries, then restored, while a Gainesville bookstore event helped families learn about First Amendment rights amid ongoing book-ban debates.

Sanibel Writers Conference: Registration is open for the 20th annual Sanibel Island Writers Conference, hosted by Florida Gulf Coast University Nov. 5–7 at BIG ARTS and the Sanibel Public Library. The event welcomes writers at every stage, with workshops and evening programs featuring authors. Freedom to Read: A new five-year review of book censorship includes Florida Freedom to Read Project advocates among its contributors. A separate report says Florida recorded 3,212 school-book bans in 2025, second only to Texas. Local Books: Friends of Englewood Charlotte Library will hold a fill-a-bag book sale Oct. 13–17, with proceeds supporting library programs and scholarships.

Reading Rights: During Banned Books Week, a column draws the line between challenging a book and actually restricting access, noting 4,235 titles were challenged in 2025. Gainesville families also marked the week with a bookstore event on First Amendment rights. Libraries: Palm Beach’s voters’ guide was banned from libraries, then restored. Florida Books: A new book highlights the achievements of Black Tampa Bay residents. Newsrooms: A report on the Miami Herald’s shrinking staff reflects the mounting pressure on local journalism.

Library Access: Palm Beach County restored distribution of the League of Women Voters’ election guide after briefly barring it from library branches, with the county administrator calling libraries protected places for information. Bookstores & Free Speech: Jacksonville Senate nominee Angie Nixon defended a wall honoring Black Power figures at her Cafe Resistance bookstore, while a Gainesville bookstore hosted a child-friendly event on First Amendment rights ahead of Banned Books Week. Book Challenges: PEN America counted a record 12,000 school book bans nationwide in 2025–26, including 3,200 in Florida. Florida Books: A new book highlights achievements of Black Tampa Bay residents, and South Florida Writers Roundtable members are taking up AI’s impact. Print: Florida Print Awards named its best printer.

Book-Banning Debate: At a banned-books event in her Jacksonville bookstore and café, Senate candidate Angie Nixon defended a wall honoring Black Power figures. Separately, PEN America reported a record 12,000 school book bans nationwide in 2025–26, including 3,200 in Florida. Young Readers: Gainesville families gathered at The Lynx Books for a read-aloud of We Are Free: Our First Amendment Rights, with author Allison Matulli discussing free speech with children and parents. Florida Books: Tampa publisher Gypsy Gallardo’s Tampa Bay Forward anthology spotlights Black residents’ history, leaders and achievements. Ponte Vedra Beach addiction physician Jeremy Mirabile has also released a book on how addiction can affect self-control and choice.