A first-time novelist’s whopping $2 million book deal was reportedly cancelled on suspicion AI had a role in writing it — after the work drew stellar praise from publishing savants.
Jerry Falade’s own reps pulled the plug on the sale of his debut crime novel, “Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body,” after drawing the eye-popping offer from Minotaur, a Macmillan US imprint, according to the Guardian.
In an email to the publishers, Falade’s agents reportedly said they initially accepted the author’s assurances that AI had not been used in writing or editing the manuscript.
“Jerry Falade produced an incredible manuscript that dazzled us and the top publishing professionals around the world,” they were quoted as saying.
“Unfortunately, we are no longer able to authenticate how the manuscript fully evolved from origin to completion.”
The agents added that they vetted the manuscript with Falade during the submission process and trusted his assurances that no AI was used — but they moved to withdraw the book because they could “no longer substantiate that.”
The book had generated huge intense interest on both sides of the Atlantic and was slated for publication in 2028.
The US auction, run by Europa Content’s Marc Gerald, reportedly drew 14 bidders, while UK agent Sandy Hodgman secured multiple six-figure offers.
Gerald told The Bookseller he first read the novel in June, describing it at the time as “stunningly good” and saying “everyone fell in love with it.”
It’s “a book that appeals to absolutely everyone,” he beamed.
According to Gerald, Europa opted against using AI-detection software when an editor raised concerns about possible AI use in the work, because Falade’s explanation of the matter was “clear and credible.”
But after a July 29 meeting in which “aspects of [Falade’s] story changed,” the agency decided to end its relationship with the author, Gerald told The Bookseller
“We feel terrible for putting this into the universe and the firestorm it has caused,” he said.
“The book itself is genius — however it came to be drafted, it’s amazing,” Gerald added.
Falade denied to the Guardian that he used AI and alleged that the industry’s response to his book reflected racial bias.
“Three Black authors received major publishing deals this year, and all three later had deals cancelled or disrupted following suspicions about AI,” he said.
“There seems to be a troubling assumption that when a Black writer produces work that attracts significant attention, the work could not possibly be their own.”
He didn’t provide examples, but black authors Mia Ballard and HM Wolfe were accused of AI use this year, the Guardian noted.
Falade also said AI-detection tools “are widely known to produce false positives” and argued that the manuscript was reviewed by multiple readers, editors and acquisitions teams at publishing houses before his agents pulled the plug.
“If the manuscript had shown genuine signs of being generated by AI, it is difficult to believe that every one of those experienced professionals would have failed to notice,” he said.
Tisha Morris, an entertainment attorney who specializes in publishing law at Legacy Arts Law PC, told The Post that the Falade controversy highlights a growing challenge for the publishing industry since “AI use is easier to allege than to actually prove.”
AI is often used by authors for tasks aside from generating prose, such as spelling, research or brainstorming, she said.
“Publishers need confidence that the author can grant the rights promised in the publishing agreement, that the work is eligible for copyright protection, and that it does not contain unauthorized material generated from third-party sources,” Morris added.
The Post has sought comment from Falade, Gerald, Hodgman and Minotaur.
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