Amélie Nothomb Announces Move From Albin Michel to Gallimard

Amélie Nothomb moves to Gallimard from Albin Michel, Digi Mart USA News: Belgian novelist Amélie Nothomb announced on Monday, November 9, in a statement transmitted to AFP, that she is leaving her longtime publisher, Albin Michel, to join Gallimard. “I am joining the Gallimard publishing house, which has done me the honor of welcoming me,” the author wrote.

One of the most widely read authors in France, she said her August release, “L’Adolescence du perroquet,” will be her last novel published by Albin Michel.

Nothomb had not confirmed reports about the transfer, which had been stirring the publishing world for several days and were carried by some media outlets, including Le Parisien. Neither Albin Michel nor Gallimard has issued a statement on the matter.

The 60-year-old novelist has published thirty-five novels with Albin Michel since 1992, the year her first novel, “Hygiène de l’assassin,” appeared. In the statement, she says she told Antoine Gallimard, chief executive of Gallimard, that she will publish her next thirty-five novels with his prestigious house.

The departure comes as Francis Esmenard, her publisher, has chosen to step back, Nothomb explained. She thanked him for his trust, his advice and his loyalty.

She expressed regret over the direction taken by Albin Michel’s new management, writing, “I no longer recognize myself in its values, nor its methods.”

As evidence, she cited the dismissal of Florence Godfernaux, her press officer and a friend of thirty-three years. “The partnership with Albin Michel is now impossible, but I will not forget the teams who worked toward my success,” the author said.

Despite the success of her novels, Nothomb has never won the Prix Goncourt, France’s most prestigious literary prize. She has, however, received the Grand Prix du roman de l’Académie française in 1999 and the Prix Renaudot in 2021.

A member of the Royal Academy of French Language and Literature of Belgium, she divides her time between Paris and Brussels, with a particular passion for Japan. Her work has been translated into about forty languages.