France, April 16 -- Nora, 66, who headed up Grasset for 26 years, left the publishing house on Tuesday. The reason for his departure has not been given.

He will be replaced by Jean-Christophe Thiery - a close associate of Bollore, who controls Grasset through his publishing group Hachette Livre.

"[Nora's] dismissal is an unacceptable attack on editorial independence and creative freedom," the departing authors wrote in an open letter sent to French news agency AFP and the newspaper Le Monde.

"Once again, Vincent Bollore says 'I am at home and I do what I want', disregarding those who publish, those who support, edit, proofread, produce, distribute and sell our books. And disregarding those who read us."

French business ...