Russian publisher Individuum shuts down following queer literature crackdown

The Russian publishing firm Individuum ceased operations, according to its editor-in-chief, Alexey Kiselev, who announced the shutdown on September 28 via the company's Telegram channel. Kiselev did not provide a reason for the closure, stating that the books they had been working on would be released by other publishers. The editor reflected on the importance of a book's ending, emphasizing that authors should carefully consider the conclusion, as it should be the most logical and impactful part of the narrative.

Individuum, established in 2015, was acquired by Eksmo in 2023, along with its nonfiction division, Popcorn Books. In 2025, employees of Popcorn Books and Individuum were accused of "extremism" due to their involvement in publishing queer literature. As a result, Popcorn Books announced its closure shortly thereafter. In 2026, three individuals linked to the publishers — Artyom Vakhlyaev, a former Popcorn Books employee, Pavel Ivanov, a former sales director, and Dmitry Protopopov, Individuum's executive director — received suspended four-year prison sentences as part of the "publishers' case."

Meduza, the news organization that reported on the Individuum's closure, emphasizes its commitment to transparency regarding the use of artificial intelligence in its newsroom. The article was written by a human journalist and translated from Russian using an AI model that adheres to strict editorial standards. Meduza ensures the accuracy of its English-language coverage through a thorough editorial review process.

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