A significant book deal for a debut novelist, valued at $2 million, has been canceled due to suspicions that artificial intelligence played a role in its creation. Jerry Falade's crime novel, "Call Me, I'll Hide the Body," was withdrawn from sale by his representatives after they could no longer confirm the manuscript's development process.
Falade's agents initially accepted his assurances that AI was not used in writing or editing the manuscript, according to reports. However, they later stated they were "no longer able to authenticate how the manuscript fully evolved from origin to completion" and moved to withdraw the book. The novel had generated substantial interest on both sides of the Atlantic, with a U.S. auction drawing 14 bidders and a U.K. agent securing multiple six-figure offers. It was slated for publication in 2028.
Marc Gerald, the U.S. agent who handled the auction, described the novel as "stunningly good" and stated that "everyone fell in love with it." He noted that Europa Content opted against using AI-detection software after an editor raised concerns, as Falade's explanation was deemed "clear and credible." However, following a meeting on July 29 where "aspects of [Falade’s] story changed," the agency decided to terminate their relationship with the author.
Falade has denied using AI to write his novel and suggested that the industry's reaction to his work may stem from racial bias. He pointed to instances where three Black authors this year reportedly had major publishing deals canceled or disrupted following AI suspicions. Falade argued that AI detection tools are prone to false positives and that the manuscript had been reviewed by numerous professionals before his agents intervened.
Tisha Morris, an attorney specializing in publishing law, commented that the controversy highlights the increasing difficulty in the publishing industry to prove or disprove AI usage. While AI can be used for tasks like research or brainstorming, publishers need assurance regarding copyright protection and the originality of the work. Representatives for Falade, Gerald, Hodgman, and Minotaur have been contacted for comment.